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Myths and facts about
choosing a major
Myths
- It is better to avoid making a decision than to make a wrong decision.
- Decisions about a major are irrevocable and of life-and-death importance.
- A wrong decision is a failure, and this is horrible.
- Deciding against a certain major now means I am giving up that option forever.
- When making my decision about a major, it is important to please the significant people in my life.
- There is one—and only one—right major for me, and true happiness is impossible until I find it.
- My major can and must meet all of my needs and utilize all of my abilities.
- If I really “had my head together,” I would know exactly what major to choose.
Facts
- Experts predict people will make an average of three career changes and work seven to 10 jobs during their lifetime.
- Within three to five years, more than 50 percent of all college graduates are doing work having little or no relation to their college major.
- Those students who enter college with their major undeclared are more certain of their career direction by the end of their sophomore year than those who declared a major upon entering.
- Finding a job related to a college major is not essential for job satisfaction.
- Men and women who considered their jobs to be closely related to their major seemed to be no more satisfied with their work than others.
- Those who chose majors late in their college experience were equally satisfied with their eventual employment.
- It is not practical to choose a “practical” major that you don’t enjoy and do well in. Employers want to see you have done outstanding work in whatever you have chosen to study.
- If you don’t enjoy the academic work of a given major, you probably won’t enjoy the kind of occupations related to that major.
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 Career development |
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