How did you pick a major?

[flying_babyb]

I could use some help. Ive changed majors so many times. I could use advice on how to pick the right one. The fallowing have been considered.

Fire Fighter
Doctor
Nurse
FBI Agent
Person who does Autorsies
Criminal Justice
Interior decorater
Forensic investigor
Lawyer
Navy officer
Teacher

 

[imagineerhopefull]

Well from what I'm seeing for you, you are leaning towards professions that
A) Involves problem solving and
B) Interacts with people.

As for myself, when I first entered college I was dead set on becoming a civil engineer, I couldn't even think of doing anything else. However, as time went on, I started to have less and less of an interest in civil engineering, and became more interested in mechanical engineering. So I switched majors and am happy that I did.

If you are really unsure about what you would like to major in then enter college as an undeclared, which can be a very good thing. It lets you get all of your GERs out of the way while being able to figure out which major you would like to go into. Even if it means that you have to be in college for an extra year, don't worry about it, because taking that one extra year to decide what you would do for the rest of your life will turn out to be a very good decision in the long run of things.

 

[Super 27]

One of my professors gave the "picking a major" speech on the last day of the semester, and he had some good stuff to say, so I'll tell you what he told me. When you're picking a major, think about two things:

1) What you like, or what interests you. It sounds like you've got a good list already with regard to careers, but even go beyond that and just think about hobbies or other types of interests you have. Your major should involve something that you'll feel good about pouring your energy into, but it won't necessarily be your career field. For instance, I'm a pilot and flight instructor, and plan on flying for a living, but I need a four year degree. My major is political science, just because it interests me and I'm willing to spend the energy studying it, and besides, I actually enjoy talking about politics and that sort of thing (crazy, I know)

2) Something you're good at. Think of things that you're really good at. There's nothing wrong with majoring in something you're already good at, because at least then you'll have a better chance of being successful and enjoying yourself.

Make a list of things in both of those areas, and try and find a major that your school offers that involves something that's on both of those lists. I can tell you this strategy worked for me...

 

[Tide27]

Your post is misleading. You cant possibly have changed majors as I am sure you aren't even in college yet.

Firefighting isn't a major

Doctor and Nurse would be Pre-med or Nursing as a major

FBI Agent and Forensics would be under Criminal Justice

"Person who does Autorsies" I would think you meant autopsies , which in that case would be under medical school.


"Interior decorator" Not sure if there is a field for this, could be though.

"Lawyer" would be law school

"Teacher" Would be under education

"Navy officer" Would be military science doing ROTC.


Since you arent in college yet, you couldn't have changed your major yet....which is good. Once you get to college, there will be alot of general education classes you will have to take and give you more time to decide what you want to do.

 

[natty41]

I'd suggest going in as 'Undecided' because then you will be able to get a sense of what you are interested in through GERS. Make sure that when planning out classes and such to get a wide spectrum of things...like don't do all humanities; mix it up! Get a little bit of everything to find out what you are truely interested in.

Plus, it looks like some of those careers you have in mind overlap, like criminal justice, FBI agent and forensic science. You could maybe major in criminla justice and get a certificate or minor in something related to forensic science. Like, I am a Journalism and Mass Comm major (previously a nursing major) with a minor in theatre...the two do not really coincide, but I like them both, so what the heck!

I know this is stressed A LOT, but it is so true...get involved! Be it clubs, organizations, on campus job, whatever. Learn new things, meet new people and discover what you really like to do and go for it!

 

[flying_babyb]

Your post is misleading. You cant possibly have changed majors as I am sure you aren't even in college yet.

Firefighting isn't a major
Yea It is, you can get a four year degree in it, though its called fire science.
I appreacate your help but I kninda knew all that.

"Interior decorator" Not sure if there is a field for this, could be though.
There is by the school is in flordia I believe.

YEA I am in college, Year 3. Early childhood major currently.

 

[GalDisney]

.

"Interior decorator" Not sure if there is a field for this, could be though.
There is by the school is in flordia I believe.

Yes, you can major in "Interior Design" if you want to be an interior decorator.

 

[Crankyshank]

Unless you're planning on being in school forever, being a 3rd year education major I would negate pretty much all of them.
Fire Science is generally for those all ready in a fire dept looking to get a degree. Fire Dept generally will not hire you just because you have a degree in fire science. Around here not only do you have to be perfect on the exam, you also need to have a connection to get on the department.

Interior design is something you don't necessarily need a degree in because it is really about aptitude. Do you have an aptitude for it.
If you join the navy after you graduate, IIRC you will be on the officer track automatically.
To be a medical examiner, you need to graduate from medical school. Being a 3rd year I would have difficulty believing you've done the required pre-med coursework.
Law school is a possibility - you would need to start looking at programs now and study for the LSAT.
FBI and Forensics is ultra competitive. My sister is trying to get into forensics and she is getting her degree in micro cellular biology with a minor in CJ.

 

[flying_babyb]

I need somthing. I CANT stay in education, its not what i want to do and I relized I hate kids. It sounds harsh but its true. Around here to work in the fire dept. You need fire one and two. Then its so simple to get in, were understaffed.

 

[Crankyshank]

Complete your degree and look into graduate programs for something else.

Contact your local fire dept and ask them for the ins and outs. I find it extemely hard to believe that 2 classes will get you hired by the fire dept.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Dart board

 

[GalDisney]

<<Interior design is something you don't necessarily need a degree>>
Wrong..You do need a degree.

 

[Crankyshank]

<<Interior design is something you don't necessarily need a degree>>
Wrong..You do need a degree.

Don't be so sure about that. I know quite a few people that work in interior design and not all of them have degrees in it

 

[GalDisney]

<<<Interior designers are now licensed to practice, much like a doctor or architect. In order to even sit for the licensing test through NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification), you must have a combination of six years of work experience, two years of schooling plus four years of work experience, or four years in a FIDER accredited university or college plus two years of work experience. Licensing helps to create responsible, educated designers.

At minimum, I suggest you seek a university or college that is FIDER accredited and work towards a bachelor's degree. In commercial work, a bachelor's degree is a minimum. You may decide to further your education with a master's degree or a doctorate.>>

Interior designer and decorators are two different areas. Designers design interiors of buildings much like an architctect. They need to know ada laws, etc etc. Interior decorators, well, they decorate ...no real trining needed for that.

 

[OneThingRemains]

Sounds to me like you may need to take a break from school and re-evaluate things. If you don't want to do education anymore, then don't. You're the only one who can decide what you want to do for the rest of your life.

 

[flying_babyb]

OMG your from wi? Me too!! how cool! north wi or south?

 

[OneThingRemains]

southeastern. About 45 minutes south of milwaukee.

 

[codygirl5150]

Major in biology and go to grad school for a speacialty. Don't do criminal justice (sorry CJ majors), there's not enough $$$ in it.

 

[flying_babyb]

Oh cool my aunts in ocontomow! (spelled badly)

Im not looking into a career for money! Im looking for personal happiness and nirvana.

 

[Sehsun]

flying_babyb, my major is Psychology. I chose it because starting in my junior year of high school, I got really interested in the subject. I took it as a dual enrollment class in my senior year and loved it. Perhaps I decided to major in it because I wanted to learn more about myself too.

All of the majors you listed seem really neat and rewarding. I am thinking of possibly studying nursing for grad school. Something in the health field at least, though not med school.

Best of luck as you choose a major! And as a reassurance, I feel like over 50% of college students change their major while they're in school, so don't feel like you have to be locked into a certain major once you choose it. I think I know more people than not who have changed their major at least once.