Choosing the right degree for your future is one of the most difficult decisions a young student has to make. After all, your major could have a huge impact on your first job. And at the very list, your major will determine which university you choose. The last situation you want to find yourself in would be graduated from college with a four-year degree, wishing you could go back to school and re-do your studies in a different field.
But don’t worry! The following career tips will help college students pick the right degree.
1. Choosing a Field of Study
Picking your major is the first step towards actually obtaining your degree. But it’s also where you hit your first crossroads. Should you pick a degree based on what you enjoy the most? Or should you pick a field that aligns with a “hirable” career?
Remember, your degree is meant to further your knowledge about a subject that you’re already interested in. You shouldn’t chase a business degree if you know you don’t enjoy the field and won’t be happy on the job. Choose a field of study that not only interests you, but one that you can envision yourself working in.
2. Evaluate Degree Potential
There are many different degrees that look great on your resume but don't offer much in the form of career potential. The workplace is very diverse, and you could be limiting yourself in the long run by choosing a degree that doesn’t build up the skills you need for a career.
Evaluate the degree by looking at what types of jobs you’d be interested in. If the jobs in a certain degree pique your curiosity, then consider choosing this degree. Again, you don’t want to write off a major too early, but follow your gut. If you know you’ll loathe the work, investigate other majors.
3. Choosing a School
It's natural to shoot for the least expensive school that you qualify for, but don't be fooled into this trap. By doing the prep work and evaluating the degree potential for your field of study, you can take note of where certain people in that field graduated from.
Some schools are regarded as "learning farms" where students are simply pushed through the curriculum without regard to what’s being learned. Other schools may find themselves in high regard with certain fields. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a great example. MIT is heralded as one of the top technical schools in the country and has produced legendary scientists and engineers.
4. Deciding a Path of Education
Getting your degree might seem like a simple course of action—freshman year, followed by sophomore year, etc.—but your end goals should also impact this pathway. For example, maybe you want to become a teacher. In many cases, you’ll need a master's degree to stand out from the pool of other teachers. You could outline a six-year plan that puts you on track to get your master’s and teaching credential. Hashing out this plan of attack beforehand will help you stay on track while you complete your coursework.
5. Gain Some Experience
It’s a sign of the times that simply graduating from a higher institute of learning isn’t always enough to land a job. Sometimes, a little work experience puts you over the top. Whether it’s through an internship or just doing side work in the field, this insight will not only give you additional knowledge, it will help you decide if this is the career field you wish to pursue. If you discover the work isn’t right for you, you still have plenty of time to change your degree to focus on another field.
By choosing the right degree, you have the potential to expand not only your knowledge base but your career options as well. It can be easy to get caught up in the frivolities of attaining the degree you want. The problem with this is that it may not be the best for your career.
