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meets the needs you have for courses. Also consider the feasibility of a second major or making one of your options your minor. Does the institution offer what is often called an interdisciplinary major or minor? This is a major or minor you create yourself within prescribed parameters. It allows you to take classes selected from different departments that share some theme or career goal. This can be very helpful in keeping career options open, in giving you more than one path. It does, however, require that many more classes and time to attain. It is extremely useful to take the time to visit the colleges you have narrowed down to. This helps you not only get a feel for the campus, but also gives you the opportunity to talk to an advisor, students and faculty, and possibly even sit in on a few classes.

Choosing you major is a crucial decision, but is by far not the end of your hard work. Not only are good grades important, there is also much else to be done during school to help enhance your career after graduation. Choose student activities, internships; volunteer work, and/or part-time employment that can help you further develop your skills in areas that interest you. This will help you not only get to know the other students in your field, many of whom will likely be future colleagues, but also can help you meet others in the field. Part time and summer jobs are vital. Not only are you earning extra money in the process, you are also gaining valuable experience, and getting a crash course in the field to see if it is something you can see yourself fitting in to. These things will open the door for you to talk to people who work in the career fields you are considering. If your school has an alumni network program, this can be an excellent resource for learning more about the realities of specific career fields. You get the opportunity to ask questions of people who were in your shoes before, and see where their paths have taken them.
Making the decision of what to major in truly is the first step to the rest of your life. The decision warrants careful thought and consideration. On average, people spend over 2000 hours per year at their place of employment. You want to do everything you can to ensure that all those hours are spent on tasks that you enjoy, duties that interest you and an environment that fulfills you.

Learn more about this author, Melissa Myrick.
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