Essential tips for students while choosing their majors

Choosing a major is a huge commitment that further decides your career after graduation. It is one of the most significant decisions, which lays the path for your future. It can be a difficult decision, as most students do not have clarity on what subjects they should choose for higher studies which would lead to a successful career path. There are a number of factors which students should consider while making their final choice, like overall program cost, employment rates, salary expectations, and the employment rate in the field. A student should ultimately choose a career which is of interest to them, has better employment opportunities, or offers a solid foundation for future studies.

As the initial years of a student's life are crucial, and all about learning and attaining experiences, choosing a major involves an extensive yet smart thought process.

Below are some incredible tips which make the task stress free:

Identify interest

This is the very first and crucial step towards choosing your major in college. It is essential to identify the subjects which interest you the most. A number of students, without in-depth knowledge of the subject, end up making the wrong decision and thus, it further lay's an impact on their choice of career. Before making a decision students should calmly scrutinize their area of interest, and choose a subject. It may take some time, but this will help you prepare for a specific career path or advanced study.

Talk and seek advice: It is not a huge concern if a student is unsure about his choice of major subject. During the initial years, there lies a significant opportunity where students get to explore their area of interest followed by the development of knowledge about their career prospects. Students must ensure that they seek advice from their professors, mentors, peers, etc. who will guide them. Students are offered ample time right before they choose their majors. Almost a year is being offered to learn across different subjects, and then, finally, a student explores his subject of interest.

Future potential: It is essential to acknowledge the future that your choice may bring to you. Students must ensure that thorough research is done before taking the final call. It is imperative to investigate the highest paying jobs and which career path has an exceptional growth rate within the industry. According to PayScale.com, the majors who have been contributing to impressive salaries are – Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, and Marketing. Future earning potential in a career can be a critical factor while determining majors.

Follow your dream: Students who are easily able to identify their interest in a subject, are more likely to decide their majors without getting confused or stressed. It is essential to choose what you love. A famous quote says, 'Do more of what makes you happy' – Therefore, selecting a subject that interests you will lead to a better career path. A detailed discussion with a career counsellor or mentor can also help you avoid any incorrect choices and explore the right career prospects offered right after your graduation.

Evaluate your credits and abilities: It is not 100 percent essential that your major will decide your career path. A number of students change their career paths later in life, and commence a profession in different sectors. However, if a student is perplexed about what exactly is the major he should choose, the very first step he must involve is to evaluate the credits. The major selected on the basis of high scoring subjects, will not only maintain his interest throughout the course but will also lead to a better academic background.

Choosing a major is a time consuming decision, which can shape your future. It is an important decision, but you should not take it as a burden. Panicking during the time will not result in a good choice. Choosing what you love and what majorly interests will nevertheless open the doors for a prosperous future. The above-justified factors lay an impact on every student for a better selection of their majors.

Making a smart decision for a bright future lies within the decision of choosing the institution and a major which would drive better job prospects in the future.

(The author is a Senior Director at Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Noida and Alumni of Harvard University (HKS))