Choosing a Major and Career Path

There are thousands of colleges and universities to choose from. The best way to narrow your choices is to think about professions and majors that interest you. Once you have an idea of the kind of career you want after college, you can evaluate majors and research colleges with good reputations in your intended area of study.

Here are a few additional guidelines to keep in mind as you explore career and major possibilities:

1. Talk with your high school counselor, parents, and other mentors about your interests and skills. They can relate real-world experiences from their careers. There are over 10,000 professions from which to choose. Counselors and family members may be able to suggest careers that you did not know existed!
2. Know your skills and passions. Many different jobs require similar skills. Counselors can provide tests to help guide you in finding how your best skills and favorite interests relate to specific professions.
3. Talk to adults about their jobs, and ask to go to work with someone who has a profession that interests you.
4. Participate in your high school's career day. Learn the primary duties and roles of the jobs described. Compare them to your interests and skills to determine if the profession could be right for you.
5. If you have identified a career that you would like to pursue, think about and discover which major(s) will help you achieve your goal.
6. If you are still unsure about what career or major you wish to pursue, don't worry! Many students enter college undecided on a major. You can use the first year or two to study different courses and discover your passion.
7. If you change your mind about your major after college starts, that's okay too. Many college students find that their major is not what they expected. Some college students develop new interests. Take the time to discover what you want to do!

By thinking about a potential major and career path, you make researching colleges and universities much easier. Consider other college-selection criteria too, such as cost, class sizes, academic environment, graduation rate, social scene, type of location, distance from home, and overall reputation.

Additional Resources:

• Find out about your student aid eligibility and net cost estimates by college, years before you apply, with a College Cost & Planning Report^®
• Find out how the student aid process works
• Learn about the many federal and state student aid programs available to help you pay for college