Myths about Majors

 

All my friends know what they want to do with their lives. False!

 

Over half of all college students will change their major at least once. In fact, three major changes is not uncommon. Does this sound like rock solid decision making to you? The majority of students have some level of indecision about their choice of major. This indecision is often the result of misinformation about self and careers. Many students declare a major too soon because they feel pressure from family or friends, not because they know all they need to about themselves and their options.

 

Only a few majors will to lead to good jobs. False!

 

Employers are much more interested in your skills, abilities, experience, and capacity to learn than your major. What you do while you're earning your degree is just as important as the degree itself. Gaining relevant work experience, networking, and fine-tuning transferable skills will land you a great job. No single major is a ticket to success.

 

The right major will come to me in time. False!

 

Some students believe that just by being in college they will somehow figure out what major to choose (a bolt of lightening, perhaps.) Others believe that their parents, friends, professor, or advisors can pick the best major for them. Choosing a major takes time, commitment, and hard work. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you. In order to do this you must learn a great deal about your likes, dislikes, skills, interests, abilities, etc. Then you must educate yourself about careers. No decision can be made well without using a systematic process of gathering information, identifying alternatives, and weighing all available options. 

 

Your major will determine the career that you will have for the rest of your life. False!

 

There are two things wrong with this statement. First, in most cases your major does not determine your career. Any one major can prepare you for any number of careers. Second, you will most likely not have one career for the rest of your life. Experts predict that today's college students will have four the five different careers over their lifetime. Your college education is meant to create a foundation for you unique career path, not train you for any one job.

 

Source University Of Oshkosh - UARC