how to decide a college/major?

[Zloff]

I decided on mine because jobs in that field pay a lot. Obviously I had some interest in it but it's all about the money.

he's got a great point you know but this is also why i'm pretty miserable as an IT guy lmao

there's a chance i might go to college this fall and my supervisor expects me to major in computer information systems or something like that, but tbh idk what tf i really want to do. guess all i can say is just go and get your general education courses done with and hope that those courses help you figure out what you want to do

[Ad Bot]

[SlayerZ99]

I narrowed mine down to two choices when I entered school

I'm undeclared officially as of right now but in the fall I took a lot of Building and Construction classes which focuses on management, blueprint reading, mathematics, and sustainability but as I talked to more people who are in the field a lot recommended I avoid it for multiple reasons. Although it was something I was highly interested in, I dont think it was the right fit.

This semester I'm taking a lot of kinesiology classes and I absolutely love it. I've been lifting, reading, and studying about this subject and related subjects for years now and its definitely a passion of mine. That being said I'm about to declare Kinesiology as my official major. I'm still deciding on a minor but I might minor in Building and Construction or double major in Economics.

It's good to either know exactly what you want to do or have a good idea by at least the end of your first year of school. Hell, I know a girl who is switching from Electrical Engineering to Kinesiology in her junior year

[Drydess]

Find a good balance of what you like, what you're good at, and how much money that field earns.

[Afraidanna]

I decided on mine because jobs in that field pay a lot.

[Bisjac]

Easy. List careers you are capable of doing, that you wont wanna kill yourself waking up for in the morning.
Note the one that makes the most money.

That one

Go to the most convenient and/or cheapest school that will get you there.

[XR-7]

I knew what I wanted to do since I was six years old.

[Weird Sheep]

You should figure out what you want to do before looking at specific colleges.

You could go to community college and get your general education credits, then you can transfer to a school once you know what you want to do.
If you have to pick  now, look at state universities. often they charge way less tuition if you live in the state they're in. (for instance, u of illinois at urbana champaign only charges 10k a year to illinois applicants) They are usually pretty good for learning most things, but you should look into what programs they're acclaimed for.

I agree for the most part. You'll hear a lot that the first two years of any bachelor's degree are the same, and for the most part that's true. So, getting an associate's is a safe way to explore your interests while not wasting time (and if you get scholarships, without risking too much of your own money!)

I'm currently at a state university after having transferred from a community college. I am almost finished with a B.S. in botany, minor in entomology. I decided on that field because of a part-time job at a plant nursery during my summers in high school. I didn't really take any notice to plants before then. My advice would be to figure out what you like by trying lots of different things. Volunteering, interning, working, or solitary exploring all work well. Find passionate people, as they're more likely to let you tag along on adventures!

I chose my university because it has a quality botany department, had lower tuition rates, and is closer to where I live. I chose my community college on accident haha. I was planning on waiting until I got residency in this state, but the com. college didn't charge out of state tuition and my grades got me a full tuition waiver. It was the best decision I've made thus far, as my community college had small classes (unlike 200+ in university core classes) and I got more one-on-one time with professors.

And on the topic of money... If you care about having lots, then look for one that pays up! If you're content with whatever though, then look for one that you'll enjoy. What's the point if you hate your job which you're at for 40hrs/wk? Silly stuff imo.

Hope this helps in some way!

[sorrel]

I have this issue too

to be honest i don't know what career i would like, even as a senior that's going to graduate soon.
like i need a job that has really good and affordable health insurance, or even health benefits because i'm a sick kid who needs to go to the doctor a lot
i'm a weakling that's not built for outside work and i'm really sensitive to the sun from the medicine i have to take
yet i don't want to become a land whale secretary that sits all day because i do like to be up and moving around to an extent

i've thrown around the idea of being a land surveyor, because i think it might be a nice blend of going outside and in while not having to do strenuous work, but i just don't feel committed to it

[Brickitect]

You like coding?
Get a degree for that

You are almost guaranteed a job with high pay for it because they are in high demand, and there is a shortage of coders.

[Clownfish]

You like coding?
Get a degree for that

You are almost guaranteed a job with high pay for it because they are in high demand, and there is a shortage of coders.

I'm not op clearly but I'm afraid if I were to get a degree for that I would get into the work force and it's already filled to the brim by the time I get there

[Ipquarx]

I knew mine ever since I was a teenager really, I was quite lucky in that sense that I knew what I was good at and what I wanted to pursue at a professional level