How Important is It to Choose the Right Major?

When declaring a major, some students act as though the decision is irrevocable, and once they stake their claim on it, the rest is history. Other students jump from major to major, earning the dreaded title of "professional student." How much does your major really matter to your career? The answer to this question is neither black nor white, and in between there are as many shades of gray as there are students in college.

First of all, it depends on what type of career you hope for. Many careers require practitioners to pass extensive examinations to earn a license. If your desired profession is in medicine, law, engineering, or architecture, you really need a degree within the discipline. Alternately, you may earn a degree in any of the above and end up doing something professionally that is completely outside the scope of your degree.

Second, some degrees are more flexible than others. A degree in elementary education is going to have limitations that a degree in graphic design may not. The more specialized a field your major is, the more difficult it may be to apply your skills to another discipline. For example, an chemical engineering degree tells an employer that you are great at math and chemistry, understand lab protocol, and have learned skills necessary for research. What remains a mystery is whether you know how to work with others, if you have creative skills, and to what extent you are able to think abstractly.

Last but not least, a major is simply a framework, not a path leading straight to a degree. The opportunity to take diverse electives and earn interdisciplinary minors is rich with diverse experiences and possibility. In many ways, the extracurricular activities you take on during college define you as much as your major. By branching out and taking risks, you will learn more about yourself and what sort of career you can see yourself in.

A major is useful for guiding you through a subject that you find interesting, but it is not an ironclad shackle binding you to a career. Some people enter college knowing exactly what they want to do after graduation, but for most, college is a time of exploration. The bottom like i that there are no useless skills. By keeping an open mind and exploring the many options your major lays out, you can find a career that best suits YOU, regardless of your major.