Penn State University reported that 80 percent of first-year students, even those who have declared a major, feel uncertain about their choice, and around half will change their major during their college career. This reflects a broader trend across the U.S., where students often take a college major quiz or choose a major without fully understanding how it aligns with their long-term career goals. This uncertainty can lead to changes in direction, delayed graduation, or increased student debt, all of which underscore the importance of choosing a major more strategically. This article advocates for a ‘career-first’ approach, where students start with self-reflection and career exploration before selecting a major.

Many students make a significant mistake when beginning their college journey: they rely on a college major quiz or pick a major first, thinking it will automatically lead to a successful career. While selecting a major is crucial, it shouldn’t come before exploring career options. This backward approach often leaves students uncertain about their future and whether their major will lead to a fulfilling career.

Instead, students should begin with self-reflection and career exploration, focusing on their interests, skills, values, and personality traits to guide their decision-making process. By doing so, they can confidently choose a career that aligns with who they are and, if necessary, select the major(s) that best support their long-term goals. This ‘career-first’ approach is not just a suggestion but a proven strategy that can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career.

The Problem with Choosing a Major First

For many students, choosing a major is a necessary first step in college. It seems like a clear, structured path to success. Unfortunately, this mindset leads to several problems:

Limited Exploration of Career Options:

Students who select a major before understanding their career goals often overlook potential career paths that might be a better fit. For example, a student may choose to major in biology with the assumption that they must pursue a healthcare career when, in reality, their interests and skills might align more with environmental science or education.

Mismatched Interests, Skills, and Personality:

Selecting a major without considering your strengths and passions can lead to frustration and disengagement. Students may struggle with their coursework because their skills and personality aren’t aligned with their chosen field, causing stress and doubt.

Expensive and Time-Consuming Mistakes:

Changing majors midway through college isn’t uncommon but can be costly. Switching majors may require retaking classes or extending the time it takes to graduate, leading to increased financial burdens and delayed entry into the workforce.

Uncertainty After Graduation:

Graduating with a degree in a major you no longer want to pursue can leave students unsure what to do next. A lack of clarity about career options can cause recent graduates to feel stuck or waste time in jobs that don’t match their aspirations.

Why Career Assessment and Exploration Should Come First

To avoid these pitfalls, students should begin their educational journey by exploring potential careers that align with their interests, skills, and personality. This approach helps students make informed decisions about their future before they invest time and money into a specific major.

Assess Your Interests, Skills, and Personality:

The first step is to self-reflect and take career assessments that evaluate your interests, strengths, and personality traits. Understanding these factors will help you discover careers that could fit well. Some helpful tools include career tests such as the Career Fit Test, Strong Interest Inventory, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Research Career Options:

Once you understand your interests and skills, explore potential career paths that align with them. Investigate job duties, work environments, potential salaries, and long-term growth prospects. You might be surprised to find careers that you hadn’t initially considered. The best career tests will link your results to career information that uses ONET data produced by the US Department of Labor.

Identify Educational Requirements:

Along with exploring careers, determine the educational path necessary to reach those careers. Some careers may require specific majors, while others offer more flexibility in the field of study. For instance, a computer science or statistics major could be a good fit if you’re interested in a career in data science. If higher education is necessary, this is the time to choose a major that aligns with your career goals. But remember, the major is a tool to help you reach your career—not the end goal itself.

Build a Clear Pathway:

With your career and education goals in mind, outline the steps you need to take to succeed. Identify internships, certifications, skills, and experiences that will help you gain a competitive edge in your chosen field. Map out the classes you need to take, networking opportunities you should explore, and skills you need to develop.

The Benefits of Choosing a Career First, Then a Major

Better Alignment with Personal Goals:

Starting with career exploration ensures your academic path is in harmony with your interests, skills, personality, and values. This alignment can lead to greater academic success, improved mental health, and overall satisfaction with your educational experience.

Improved Job Market Readiness:

By focusing on career goals from the beginning, you can tailor your educational experiences, internships, and extracurricular activities to build the skills and knowledge needed for your future job. You’ll be better prepared to confidently enter the job market, knowing that your education leads to a fulfilling career.

Cost and Time Savings:

Choosing a major that directly supports your career goals helps you avoid the costly and time-consuming mistake of switching majors halfway through college. You’ll save money by staying on track and graduating on time, and you’ll be more efficient in reaching your career objectives.

Clearer Vision and Purpose:

When you start with a career in mind, you’re more likely to have a clear sense of direction and purpose throughout your educational journey. This can motivate you to excel academically and take advantage of opportunities that support your career goals, such as internships, research projects, or networking events.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Aligning Career and Education

Self-Assessment:

Begin by evaluating your interests, values, strengths, and personality traits. Tools like the Career Fit Test can help identify careers that align with your unique characteristics.

Career Exploration:

Research various career paths, job outlooks, and the educational requirements for each. Look for roles matching your values, lifestyle preferences, and long-term goals.

Education Planning:

Once you’ve chosen a career, look for majors and academic programs supporting that path. If a specific major isn’t required, consider minors or elective courses that will enhance your skill set in your chosen field.

Skill-Building:

Beyond academics, focus on building the skills and experiences needed for your career. Participate in internships, extracurricular activities, and networking events that will give you practical experience and connections in your industry.

Adaptability:

As you progress through your education, remain open to new insights and opportunities. Career paths can evolve, and new opportunities may arise. Stay flexible and adjust your plan as needed.

Conclusion

Choosing a major before a career is like putting the cart before the horse. Many students rely on a college major quiz to make this decision or choose a major without a vision of the career it can lead to, leading to frustration, uncertainty, and wasted resources. Instead of choosing a major blindly, start by assessing your interests, skills, and personality. This approach allows you to explore careers that will bring you satisfaction and purpose. Once you’ve identified the right career path, you can make informed decisions about your educational journey, ensuring that your major aligns with and supports your long-term goals.

Tools like the Career Fit Test go beyond the typical college major quiz by helping you identify your strengths, explore fitting careers, and make smarter decisions about your career direction. By taking this career-first approach, you can select a college major that prepares you for career success and long-term fulfillment.