How to Choose a College Major You Won’t Regret

Choosing a college major could become really overwhelming especially when you’re just 17-18 years of age and everyone keeps asking what you will be studying. The major molds the experience and influences the career path chosen by the students. But you don’t need to have it all figured out right now, you just need to approach the decision thoughtfully and intentionally.

Now we will walk through a step by step guide on choosing your potential major, your interests, potential career paths, to make a well researched and informed decision about your college, which you will less likely regret picking up later down the lane.

Step 1: Start with Self Exploration

Before jumping into course catalogs and job markets, take time to reflect on what excites and motivates you. Ask yourself:

• What subjects do I enjoy most in school?
• What activities make me lose track of time?
• When do I feel most accomplished?
• What are my natural strengths?

To gain more clarity, consider taking personality or aptitude tests. Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 16Personalities, or the O*NET Interest Profiler can reveal your strengths and suggest potential career paths.

You can also discuss your reflections with a trusted teacher, friend, or even a college admissions consultant to gain fresh perspectives.

Step 2: Research Majors and Career Options

As you start to understand your interest, it’s also time to see how they can align with the real world. You can use resources like: 

LinkedIn or Youtube to read about job descriptions you looked for, or watch day in the life videos for a better idea.

CollegeBoard’s Big Future or Naviance to check different majors offered by different colleges.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) to learn about different job descriptions, requirements, salaries and growth.

As you explore, ask yourself:

• Does this major lead to multiple career paths?
• Is the job market for this field growing, stable, or declining?
• Will I enjoy the courses required for this major?
• Does the career require advanced degrees or licenses (e.g., medicine, law)?

If you’re unsure how to evaluate these factors, consider reviewing our guide on how to decide on your college major for more in-depth insights.

Step 3: Conduct Informational Interviews

Talking and discussing with a professional is probably the best step here while choosing a major, this is the step skipped by most students. Students must start reaching out:

Family friends, alumni, neighbours working in the field you are interested in

Career fairs or video conferences held by colleges and consultants

People in extended school or LinkedIn connections.

Students should be prepared with relevant questions in the brief interview/ call with them like:

What is your major and would you choose the same major again?

What’s the most and least enjoyable part of your job?

What is a typical day like in your job?

Any advice for students considering this career path for themselves?

This conversation will offer you first hand insights and realities which any brochure or magazine will not. 

Step 4: Understand That It’s Okay To be Undecided

Here’s what no one speaks about: “You don’t have to choose your major right away”

Most colleges allow students to get enrolled with an undeclared major and some colleges even promote it. This is because the first year and second year of colleges mostly offer general education subjects and students by that time can confidently and comfortably decide their major officially.

Another common thing is that almost 30% of the college students change their major at least once, so if you want to change your major because your interests changed, go for it.

Step 5: Make a Thoughtful Informed Decision

When you have thoroughly explored your interests, spoken to relevant people in the field and researched the possible options, you are ready to make a decision about your major. Keep in mind that the major you choose does not define your whole career. There are many successful cases where people work irrelevant to their major, in such cases communication skills, problem solving, adding value and critical thinking are highly valued in the industries. 

Still, choosing a major is a significant decision on your path to a fulfilling career. This process of self-discovery and research is very similar to the thoughtful approach needed for the college application process itself. A college admissions consultant can help you not only navigate the application logistics but also connect your choice of major to your overall story, creating a cohesive and compelling application.

Final thoughts: It’s a Journey, Not a Deadline

Choosing a college major is not at all about hitting the perfect spot, rather it’s about finding what excites you, motivates you, experimenting and being open to change. So don’t overpressure yourself by being a perfectionist, rather focus on owning the process. From self research, reaching out to relevant people, reading and asking thoughtful questions, you make an informed decision for yourself because you’re defining a future here, and your future starts with knowing yourself.