Choosing a college major can be a difficult decision. As a society we probably put more pressure on college students than we should when it comes to picking an academic major. Whenever we encounter a student bound for college, we immediately probe them with the question, "so, what are you going to study?" It is probably unfair to ask the typically 18-year-old to have any sense of what the vocational world has in store, but we do it anyway. Here are few thoughts on the best ways to choose a major.

DO NOT BE IN A RUSH

The first thing to remember is that there is time to make the decision. College students should not be in a rush to pick a major, even if all their peers seem to know what they want to do. If a first-year student comes in knowing what they want to do, that's fine. They should go ahead and follow that path. Some students know long before college what they want to study. For those that are unsure, there is time to take a variety of classes, enjoy their general education classes, ask questions, and pick a major as it becomes more clear.

IF NOTHING MATERIALIZES THEN...

Unfortunately, some people never get to a point where they are definitively set on a vocational path. Truthfully, there is nothing particularly wrong with that. Plenty of people graduate from college without a strong vocational bent, and they still get jobs and live productive lives. If someone does not feel compelled to study a particular major, there are a few that make sense for general study. A business degree is always helpful, as many organizations function with business principles, even if they produce a specific product and service. Another good major is English, as writing is always a good skill to have in a variety of different vocational fields. English is also a solid major if someone wants to go on to graduate school in a variety of programs.

The bottom line is that people should not stress the selection of a major. There comes a point where one needs to be selected, but it is not the first day of class in year one. If uncertain, the student should take their time, experiment with some classes, and pick the major that emerges.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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