What should major in college

If you have no idea what you want to do after graduation, a liberal arts or interdisciplinary studies major may be right for you. In these types of majors, there tends to be a lot more flexibility in your choice of classes, and you can take classes on race, gender, sexuality, foreign language, culture, and more.

Still not convinced? Silicon Valley. Communications is another broad field, and as a communications major, you can choose from a number of different careers. You can choose a specific focus in communications:.

Communications majors develop skills in public speaking, writing, interpreting, and problem solving which are skills necessary for every field. There are a ton of career options for business majors! Whether you end up working in higher education, a nonprofit, or even venture out as an entrepreneur, every organization functions as a business and requires people who are business-minded for their daily operations to run smoothly.

There are many people who rag on English majors, but a degree in English prepares you for a variety of contexts. Critical thinking skills and the ability to write well are skills that you can take with you to any job in any industry. Was this article helpful? Share your feedback. Send feedback to the editorial team.

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Alicia Hahn Editor. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Choosing a major can be tricky, especially if you have multiple interests or don't know what kind of career you want to pursue. According to a BestColleges study, 3 in 5 college graduates would change their majors if they could go back. There are many factors you should consider before committing to a major, including the program cost, salary expectations, and employment rates in that field.

In addition, you should think about your personality, personal and professional goals, and interests. Including these variables in your decision process can help ensure you choose a major that resonates with your personal mission, values, and passions. Choosing a major represents a significant step in the college process, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. Here are six factors to consider before committing to a major. Some students pursue certain majors primarily based upon salary potential and job demand.

Before you choose a major, think about which of these three factors — economic advantage, interest level, and ability — are most important and relevant to you and your future goals.

Studies have found that students tend to perform better in school when they can focus on their interests. Unfortunately, it's not always easy for a student to identify their interests. To get help with this, consider taking a personality quiz. For example, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire can help you determine subjects that closely align with your personality and interests.

This popular assessment uses your habits and attitudes to generate one of 16 personality types, written as a combination of four letters.

You can also explore potential areas of study and career paths by joining student clubs , volunteering, working a part-time job on campus, managing a side hustle , or completing internships. Understanding your natural skills and talents can go a long way in helping you make an informed and confident decision when choosing a major.

It may be your parents' dream for you to be an artist, but what if you skew more toward business or the sciences? Just because someone else has a degree path in mind doesn't mean it's right for you. One way of determining which academic fields best suit you is to take a close look at your class grades in high school, as well as your ACT or SAT scores. Doing this can highlight your strengths in specific academic areas.

When considering which major to pursue, determine how important salary and salary potential weigh into your decision-making process. If you're motivated by high earnings, pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field may appeal to you.

That said, some students care more about the importance of their work than the salary offered; they don't want a job just for the money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a regularly updated list of positions offering the highest wages.