by Melissa Myrick

Created on: August 10, 2007   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

Your Major, Your Life

Deciding on what to major in is one of the most important, and often gut wrenching decisions in early college years. The college books come in, page after page loaded with course offerings. The choices seem endless, and the vast majority of students enter college undecided, and face the enormous decision of which major to choose once they get there.

The major being chosen is the beginning of your career path. Careful thought has to be given to what career would best suit you. When thinking of careers, there are many important factors to consider. How much money do you want to make? Which industries are open in the area you plan to live? What can you see yourself doing, and enjoying? What am I best suited to do? Where will I excel? Do I want to work for a large corporation, or a smaller business?

Some of these questions are easier than others to answer. For some questions, you can look inside yourself and find the answers. How much money you want to make and where you would like to live are decisions that you can likely make relatively easily. For others questions; more help may be needed. High school guidance counselors can be excellent resources, but the numbers of those going to college after some degree of a break from high school is ever growing. www.Mymajors.com is a site that can help answer some of the more difficult questions, whether you are a high school senior, or many years past. It's a free site where you register, and are asked a series of questions about your interests and experiences. This information is put together, and five majors are recommended. Each major selected explains why it fits your personality and experiences, which courses are needed, and also the prospects for jobs in each field. An easy to read print out is generated that clearly shows the majors they recommended and why. It can be an excellent resource to go back to when making your final decision.

The only thing not listed on the mymajors.com printout is the expected salary in the chosen fields. This information can easily be obtained at www.salary.com. This site does not even require registration. You simply have to enter in a job title and zip code, and are immediately shown the average income, as well as the average range of incomes for that position. Salary alone should never be the only factor in deciding a career path, but let's face it, it's important.

Once you have several majors in mind, it's time to begin college shopping. Choose a college that

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