Accounting. Computer information systems. Computer systems engineering.
With two years and three major changes under his belt, Mark Proctor, a junior, is finally doing what he needs to do: seeking an enjoyable education. Choosing a major can seem like one of the most daunting and determining factors in a college students’ life.
Students are often pushed in a certain direction by family. For example, Proctor, who is currently an exploratory major pursuing a degree in computer systems engineering, started his college career in accounting as a result of family pressures. He attributes his original choice to his dad. “My dad wanted me to do it, but after a while it just wasn’t for me,” he said.
Other times, students start college with an often idealistic and misinformed idea of what they want their career to be like, just to find out that it’s not for them.
Patrick Magowan, a history sophomore, went down such a path. He started at ASU majoring in earth and space exploration with a focus in astrophysics before he realized that history was his true calling.
“I guess the reason I went into astrophysics is that I had this grandiose idea that I was going to be an astronaut before I realized I wasn’t cut out for it,” Magowan said.
Not only is searching for the right major vital to a college students’ experience, but the path to arriving at the final decision is also.
Save for the select few that have known what they were going to be from early childhood, very few people have a clue what they want to do as freshmen. They have no talents, no interests, and no passions. Or so they think.
Here, the path proves to be crucial. Trying out new subjects, throwing some in the trash, and sometimes wandering aimlessly between them can be the best way to discover talents, interests, and passions.
Proctor said that his brief stint in computer information systems helped him figure out what he wanted to do, and ultimately led him to computer systems engineering.
Despite what many will say, students don’t need to choose a major the second they step foot in a college classroom.
According to Purdue University, 80 percent of students have not chosen a major upon entering college and 50 percent of students change their major at least once.
Sure, jumping from major to major six or seven times may not be the best bang for your buck, but changing, adding, or subtracting majors a few times can be the best decision a student can make.
Ultimately, choosing a major is about knowing your ambitions, your capabilities, and yourself; Proctor agrees. “Don’t let anyone choose it for you, you’ve got to make the choice for yourself,” he said.
If you notice any of the following, it may be a sign that you should change your major. First, you stop showing up to class because you think the information is irrelevant, boring, useless, amusing, or dumb. Second, you want to light your books on fire instead of read them, or you can’t relate to anyone in the class. Finally, you would rather walk barefoot to class in August than get a job that pertains to your major.
If any of these resonate with you, consider some alternatives.
