Myth: You have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life before picking a major.
Reality: You don’t have to pick a career, or know "what you want to do for the rest of your life" before choosing a major. In fact:
- 20% to 50% of students entering college are undecided about academic or career goals.
- About 75% of students will change their major at least once - some several times - before graduation.
- According to research, males and females are equally undecided.
Myth: Certain majors offer greater advantages.
Reality: Career success often relies more on motivation than a particular major, and future employment shouldn’t be the only criteria for selecting a major.
Generally, we recommend you chose a major that matches your passion and skills. If you like the area of study you have chosen, you’ll be motivated to work harder, your grades will be higher, and you’ll have greater opportunities.
Myth: There has to be a direct link between a major and a job or career.
Reality: Many careers do not require a specific major. You can work in business fields such as management, marketing, or human resources with liberal arts degrees in English, history, communication, philosophy, etc.
In many cases, the degree is the start of the career. Most employers look for employees with certain skills, including:
- Writing, speaking, and listening
- Technology proficiencies
- Organizational, management, teamwork, and leadership abilities
- Adaptability (changing with the times and a willingness to keep learning)
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving.