Choosing a college major is a big decision. It’s something that will affect your career and your life for years to come. So it’s important to take the time to figure out what you really want to do.

There are a lot of different ways to approach this question. Some people know what they want to do from a young age. Others take a more exploratory approach, trying out different classes and activities until they find something that clicks.
No matter which approach you take, there are some general tips that can help you figure out what you want to do in college.
1. Explore Your Interests
The first step is to explore your interests. What do you like to do in your free time? What subjects do you enjoy learning about in school? What kind of activities do you get involved in?
Once you have a better understanding of your interests, you can start to narrow down your options. For example, if you enjoy reading and writing, you might consider majoring in English or journalism. If you’re interested in science and math, you might consider majoring in engineering or computer science.
2. Consider Your Skills and Abilities
In addition to your interests, you should also consider your skills and abilities. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What kind of work do you think you would be good at?
Your skills and abilities can help you narrow down your options even further. For example, if you’re good at math and science, you might consider majoring in engineering or computer science. If you’re good at writing and communication, you might consider majoring in English or journalism.
3. Research Different Majors
Once you have a better understanding of your interests and abilities, you can start to research different majors. There are a lot of different resources available to help you with this, including college websites, career websites, and books.
When you’re researching different majors, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Coursework: What kind of coursework will you be taking? Will you enjoy the classes?
- Faculty: Who will be teaching you? Are they experts in their field?
- Career prospects: What kind of jobs can you get with a degree in this major? What is the salary potential?
- Accreditation: Is the program accredited by a recognized accrediting body?
4. Talk to People
One of the best ways to learn more about different majors is to talk to people who are already in the field. This could include professors, career counselors, and people who work in the field you’re interested in.
Talking to people can give you valuable insights into what the major is really like, what kind of jobs you can get, and what the salary potential is.
5. Take Some Classes
If you’re still not sure what you want to do, you can take some classes in different areas to see what you enjoy. This is a great way to get a taste of different subjects and see what you’re good at.
You can take classes at a local community college or online. You can also audit classes at a university.
6. Make a Decision
Once you’ve done your research and talked to people, it’s time to make a decision. This is a big decision, so don’t feel pressured to make it right away. Take your time and weigh all of your options.
When you’re making your decision, keep the following factors in mind:
- Your interests
- Your skills and abilities
- Your research
- Your conversations with people
Ultimately, the decision of what to do in college is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to choose a major that you’re passionate about and that will help you achieve your goals.
Table 1: Top 10 College Majors with the Highest Salaries
Major | Median Salary |
---|---|
Computer Science | $124,190 |
Electrical Engineering | $115,450 |
Chemical Engineering | $114,540 |
Mechanical Engineering | $113,870 |
Civil Engineering | $112,980 |
Industrial Engineering | $111,310 |
Computer Engineering | $109,240 |
Aerospace Engineering | $109,060 |
Biomedical Engineering | $108,960 |
Nuclear Engineering | $108,330 |
Table 2: Top 10 College Majors with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
Major | Unemployment Rate |
---|---|
Computer Science | 2.4% |
Engineering | 2.6% |
Math and Statistics | 2.7% |
Nursing | 2.8% |
Physical Sciences | 2.9% |
Life Sciences | 3.0% |
Business | 3.1% |
Education | 3.2% |
Health Sciences | 3.3% |
Social Sciences | 3.4% |
Table 3: Top 10 College Majors with the Highest Job Growth Rates
Major | Job Growth Rate |
---|---|
Computer Science | 15.2% |
Engineering | 10.8% |
Math and Statistics | 8.0% |
Nursing | 7.7% |
Physical Sciences | 5.9% |
Life Sciences | 5.5% |
Business | 4.8% |
Education | 4.5% |
Health Sciences | 4.2% |
Social Sciences | 4.1% |
Table 4: Top 10 College Majors with the Highest Median Earnings
Major | Median Earnings |
---|---|
Medicine | $208,000 |
Dentistry | $163,520 |
Pharmacy | $128,710 |
Veterinary Medicine | $111,380 |
Optometry | $110,130 |
Podiatry | $108,370 |
Chiropractic | $103,250 |
Physician Assistant | $102,800 |
Nurse Practitioner | $101,230 |
Dental Hygienist | $98,280 |