Choosing a Major and Whether it Matters (Spoiler: It Doesn't)

Jamie Terran, career coach, tells you everything you need to know about choosing a college major - and why it doesn’t really matter.

Shortly after starting college, you will be asked to choose a major or concentration. Many students start college confident in the major they will choose, and even more confident that their major would dictate their future career. However, many students also arrive for their first day of classes with an open mind and quickly become overwhelmed by their choices.

This article will break down what a major or concentration is, how to choose the right one for you, and how it will impact your professional future.

What is a Major? 

A major is a description of a set of classes or field of studies. Typically, a total number of credits in this field is required for graduation, made up of a set of required classes that provide a foundation to your chosen field, and a certain number of credits or classes that are more flexible to your specific interests.

Students are typically asked to choose, or declare, a major at the end of the first year or beginning of their second year, but have flexibility to change their majors throughout their time at school, assuming they have time to complete the required classes. Often, there are majors that have overlapping classes. For example: Math and Engineering likely have similar foundational classes.

To complicate things further, many schools offer the ability to have a major and a Minor. A Minor is similar to a major in that it is a focused field of study with required courses, however, there are fewer required classes or credits.

Choosing a Major

There are two key times when students are asked to choose a major: on the college application and then after enrollment, typically at the end of your second year. The good news is, the major you list on your application has absolutely no impact on what you ultimately choose as your major. The major listed on your application is simply for the admissions team to get a feel for you as a potential student. You can put a bit of thought into it, but certainly there is no need to feel that you’re making a commitment. There are likely many majors and fields of study you don’t even know exist yet that may be your ultimate choice!

When it comes down to it, choosing a major may seem easy: choose something you’re interested in. But unfortunately, like most things in life, it is not that simple. The first thing you want to do before choosing a major is consider what you think your profession may be and if that profession requires an advanced degree. This is important because many advanced degrees have required classes, called prerequisites. Ideally you would complete these classes during your undergraduate career, though it is not at all necessary.

Now that you have identified an advanced degree goal, you will want to determine whether that goal will dictate your major.  For some, it may be the practical choice, for example, Medical School prerequisites may lead you to choose a major in the sciences, but still, you can choose the exact field. At some schools, Pre-Health may even be a major. For others, they may plan to meet these requirements, but also want to explore other academic interests.  

Students in this position should consider their genuine academic interests as well as academic skills. They may select a major which is outside of the requirements field in order to ensure they receive a well-rounded education or that they have academic time to explore interests outside of the prerequisites.

If a student is not sure if they want to pursue an advanced degree, the sky's the limit, which may be where things become very overwhelming. If you have a career in mind, that can be helpful when making this decision. If you envision yourself on Wall Street, you may choose to study Economics. However, it is absolutely essential to realize that many jobs require basic academic capabilities and are ultimately soft-skill based. Soft-skills are those needed to build strong relationships and trust. Organization, effective communication, and timeliness are some examples. You can easily become successful in these careers, regardless of your chosen major.

If that sounds like you, choose something you believe you will still find interesting after three years of studies. If all else fails, choose a major you feel will teach you skills you would find valuable and interesting in your future.

Always schedule appointments with leading professors in the field you are considering or an appropriate member of the department leadership to get a feel for how the department runs and to learn more about professional opportunities that may come from these studies.

How will your Major impact your professional future?

You have chosen your major and completed the majority of classes. Now it is time to start your job search. How important is the major you have chosen? According to a study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, more than 62 percent of people work in a field that was NOT closely related to their field of study.

Another study found that majors were “not totally deterministic, but not totally irrelevant” to ultimate career paths. This study found that students in STEM fields were more likely to have jobs closely related to their major, however those outside of STEM fields did not show a clear correlation to career path. Many non-STEM students were found to use skills important to their degree, for example, a Journalism student may find themselves working in Corporate Communications, both of which require strong writing skills.

This is not to say your major is not important. It will serve as the foundation to your undergraduate education for roughly four years of your life. It may even direct your professional future. But, it is important to keep in mind it does not dictate your future or limit it in anyway. Choosing a topic you feel passionate about will help to strengthen your identity and self-confidence. Choosing a major you enjoy is always the best choice!

Jamie Terran is a career coach based in New York City and does virtual coaching too. In her words: I created this business to help those who don't intuitively know what they want professionally or need help reaching their goals. Learn more about Jamie and get help writing your resume at jamieterran.com