In yesterday’s post, we looked at the basics of what goes into choosing a major and more specifically how interests and skills can contribute to this vital decision. Next, let’s consider some practical aspects.
Career paths. It is wise to think about the different career paths a particular major can provide you. Make sure to explore other opportunities in case your dream job is not all you believed it to be or, as has been the case for many people in today’s dysfunctional economy, the job market throws you a curve ball and your dream job no longer exists. While it is good to have concrete career goals, don’t let them narrow your focus too much. Include inquires about the range of jobs available when talking to professors in your proposed major and people who are already working in the field.
Financial aspects. It is important to consider what sort of pay you can expect working during the course of your future career. While no one has a crystal ball to predict what a certain profession will pay in the future, looking at the wage history for different jobs can be informative. In California, the Employment Development Department hosts an online occupational guide that provides a wide variety of job information, including wages and how many jobs are expected to be available for particular professions in the future. Most states will have something similar available for use.
Growth potential. Where will this major take you over your career’s lifetime? It is extremely rare for anyone to work in the exact same job position for an entire career, and most of us expect to be able to advance in responsibilities, authority level, and pay as we gain further work experience. However, some careers might have a lower “top level” than our expectations might lead us to believe. Find out about the growth potential within your proposed field of work while talking with professors who teach the major and people employed in that field.
In the final post of this series tomorrow, we will look at how personality and lifestyle preferences are important pieces in the puzzle of choosing a major.
