Choosing a college major is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in high school. It impacts your career, earnings, and life satisfaction for decades. Here's how to make an informed choice without the stress and regret.
Why This Decision Matters (But Not as Much as You Think)
The reality:
- 30% of college students change their major at least once
- Your major doesn't lock you into one career forever
- Many successful people work in fields unrelated to their major
- Employers care more about skills than specific majors (except specialized fields)
But also:
- Some majors lead to higher-paying careers (engineering, CS, finance)
- Switching majors can add time and cost to your degree
- Certain careers require specific majors (pre-med, engineering, nursing)
- Your major shapes your college experience and network
The goal: Make the best choice you can NOW, knowing you can adjust later if needed.
Common Mistakes in Choosing a Major
Mistake #1: Following the Money Only
The trap: "I'll major in CS because tech jobs pay well."
Why it fails: If you hate coding, you'll either:
- Struggle through college and barely pass
- Drop out or switch majors (wasting time/money)
- Graduate and be miserable in your job
Better approach: Balance earning potential with interest and aptitude.
Mistake #2: Following Your Passion Blindly
The trap: "I love history, so I'll major in history!"
Why it fails: Passion alone doesn't pay bills. Some majors have limited job prospects or require grad school for meaningful employment.
Better approach: Find overlap between passion, skills, and market demand.
Mistake #3: Choosing Based on Parents' Wishes
The trap: "My parents want me to be a doctor/lawyer/engineer."
Why it fails: You'll resent the pressure and may not perform well in something you don't want to do.
Better approach: Have honest conversations with parents about your interests and strengths. Show them your research on career paths.
Mistake #4: Picking a Major Because Friends Are
The trap: "My best friend is doing biology, so I will too."
Why it fails: Your friend's strengths and interests aren't yours. You're setting yourself up for comparison and potential failure.
Better approach: Make an independent decision based on YOUR goals.
Mistake #5: Choosing "Undecided" Without a Plan
The trap: "I'll figure it out in college."
Why it fails: Exploring is good, but aimless exploration wastes time and money. You might end up in a major by default, not by choice.
Better approach: Apply undecided if needed, but actively explore freshman year with a plan.
The Decision Framework: 5-Step Process
Step 1: Self-Assessment
Identify your interests:
- What subjects do you genuinely enjoy?
- What topics do you read about voluntarily?
- What do you do in your free time?
- What classes have you looked forward to?
Assess your strengths:
- What subjects come easily to you?
- What skills do teachers praise you for?
- Where do you excel compared to peers?
- What types of problems do you solve well?
Clarify your values:
- How important is earning potential?
- Do you want to help people directly?
- Do you prefer creative or analytical work?
- Do you want work-life balance or are you willing to grind?
Example:
- Interests: Technology, psychology, design
- Strengths: Math, communication, visual thinking
- Values: Good salary, creative freedom, work-life balance
- Possible majors: UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Information Systems
Step 2: Research Majors
For each major you're considering, investigate:
Curriculum:
- What classes will you actually take?
- Is it heavy on math? Writing? Labs?
- Read course descriptions—do they sound interesting?
Career paths:
- What jobs do graduates get?
- What's the average starting salary?
- Is grad school required?
- What's the job market outlook?
Day-to-day reality:
- What does a typical professional in this field DO all day?
- Watch "day in the life" YouTube videos
- Talk to professionals (LinkedIn cold outreach)
Resources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov): Job outlooks and salaries
- College websites: Curriculum and course catalogs
- LinkedIn: Search "[Major] graduate" and see where they work
- Reddit: r/college, major-specific subreddits (r/EngineeringStudents, r/premed, etc.)
Step 3: Test Your Interest
Take related classes in high school:
- Interested in CS? Take AP Computer Science
- Considering engineering? Take AP Physics and Calculus
- Thinking about business? Take economics or accounting
Do summer programs or camps:
- Engineering camps at universities
- Coding bootcamps (free ones like Harvard CS50)
- Business competitions (DECA, FBLA)
Try related activities:
- Want to be a journalist? Write for school paper
- Considering medicine? Volunteer at hospital
- Thinking architecture? Try CAD software
The goal: Get a taste before committing 4 years and $100K+.
Step 4: Talk to People in the Field
Who to reach out to:
- College students in the major (ask your school's alumni network)
- Recent graduates (2-5 years out)
- Mid-career professionals (10+ years)
Questions to ask:
- What do you wish you knew before choosing this major?
- What's the most challenging part?
- What surprised you about the career?
- Would you choose this major again?
- What skills are most important?
How to reach out:
LinkedIn message template:
"Hi [Name],
I'm a high school student exploring potential college majors. I noticed you studied [Major] at [University] and now work as [Job]. I'd love to hear about your experience.
Would you be open to a 15-minute call or coffee chat? I'm happy to work around your schedule.
Thank you for considering!
[Your Name]"
Response rate: ~30-40%. Don't be discouraged by non-responses.
Step 5: Make a Decision (With a Backup Plan)
Primary major: Your top choice based on interest + strength + market demand
Backup major: A related field if primary doesn't work out
Minor or double major: Complementary skills (e.g., CS major + Business minor)
Example decision:
- Primary: Computer Science
- Backup: Information Systems or Data Science
- Minor: Business or Design
- Reasoning: Love problem-solving, strong in math, good job market. Business minor opens entrepreneurship path.
Major Categories: Pros and Cons
STEM Majors
Examples: Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry
Pros:
- High starting salaries (especially CS and Engineering)
- Strong job market
- Clear career paths
- Skills in demand
Cons:
- Difficult coursework (weed-out classes)
- Heavy time commitment (labs, problem sets)
- May require grad school (especially pure sciences)
Best for: Strong in math/science, analytical thinkers, okay with challenging coursework
Starting salaries: $60K-$90K+ (varies by field)
Business Majors
Examples: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Economics
Pros:
- Versatile (many industries hire business majors)
- Practical skills (applicable immediately)
- Good networking opportunities
- Clear ROI
Cons:
- Competitive (many business majors)
- May feel generic (need to specialize or get internships)
- Some roles require MBA for advancement
Best for: Interested in commerce, leadership, entrepreneurship
Starting salaries: $45K-$70K (finance/accounting on higher end)
Liberal Arts/Humanities
Examples: English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology
Pros:
- Develop critical thinking and communication
- Intellectually fulfilling
- Flexibility (can pivot to many careers)
- Less structured (more electives)
Cons:
- Lower starting salaries
- Less clear career path (requires initiative)
- May need grad school or additional training
Best for: Love reading/writing, value learning for its own sake, willing to hustle for career
Starting salaries: $35K-$50K (varies widely)
Note: Not "useless" as often portrayed, but requires strategic career planning (internships, skills, networking).
Health Sciences
Examples: Nursing, Pre-Med, Public Health, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy
Pros:
- Job security (healthcare always needed)
- Meaningful work (helping people)
- Good salaries (especially nursing, PT)
- Clear career path
Cons:
- Requires grad school for many roles (med school, PT school)
- Stressful and demanding
- Long hours (especially medicine)
Best for: Want to help people directly, okay with science-heavy coursework, willing to commit to further education
Starting salaries: $50K-$70K (nurses), $200K+ (doctors after residency)
Creative/Design Majors
Examples: Graphic Design, Film, Music, Fine Arts, Architecture
Pros:
- Pursue creative passion
- Portfolio-based careers (degree less critical than work)
- Potential for fulfilling work
Cons:
- Competitive and uncertain job market
- Lower and inconsistent pay
- Often requires freelancing or side hustles
Best for: Extremely passionate and talented, willing to hustle, comfortable with financial uncertainty
Starting salaries: $30K-$50K (highly variable)
Alternative path: Major in something practical, minor in creative field, pursue creative work on side.
Special Considerations
Pre-Professional Tracks
Pre-Med: Major in anything (biology, chemistry common but not required). Focus on GPA, MCAT, research, clinical hours.
Pre-Law: Any major works. Philosophy, English, Political Science common. Focus on GPA and LSAT.
Pre-Business (MBA): Work experience matters more than undergrad major. Business, engineering, econ common.
Double Majors and Minors
When it makes sense:
- Complementary skills (CS + Business, Engineering + Design)
- Opens more career paths (Biology + Computer Science → Bioinformatics)
- Genuine interest in both
When to skip:
- Just for resume padding (employers don't care as much as you think)
- Extends graduation (costs time and money)
- Spreads you too thin (GPA suffers)
Minors: Less commitment than double major, still shows depth. Good for adding complementary skills.
Red Flags: When NOT to Choose a Major
Avoid a major if:
- You hate the intro classes (it doesn't get easier)
- You're choosing it only for parents/prestige
- You don't understand what careers it leads to
- You're not willing to do the work required (math for engineering, writing for humanities, etc.)
- The only reason is "I'm good at it in high school" (college is much harder)
Timeline for Decision
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
- Explore broadly: take diverse classes
- Join clubs related to potential interests
- Start thinking about what you enjoy
Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
- Take AP or honors classes in areas of interest
- Research different majors casually
- Talk to older students about their plans
Junior Year (11th Grade)
- Narrow down to 3-5 potential majors
- Take related AP classes
- Do summer programs or internships
- Start college research (what majors do they offer?)
Senior Year (12th Grade)
- Finalize decision (or apply undecided with a plan)
- Apply to schools strong in your intended major
- If undecided, apply to schools with flexibility to explore
What If You're Still Undecided?
It's okay to be undecided. Many students are.
Strategy:
1. Apply to schools with strong programs in multiple areas you're considering
2. Choose a school with easy major-switching policies
3. Take intro classes in several fields freshman year
4. Declare by end of sophomore year (avoid extra time/cost)
Undecided-friendly majors to consider:
- Liberal arts (broad, allows exploration)
- Business (versatile)
- General engineering (can specialize later)
Making Peace with Your Decision
Remember:
- Your major is not your destiny
- You can (and likely will) change careers multiple times
- Skills matter more than degree title
- Internships and experience matter as much as major
Example: English major → Marketing job → MBA → Tech product manager
What matters most:
- Learn how to learn
- Develop transferable skills (writing, analysis, problem-solving)
- Get internships/experience
- Network
Final Checklist
Before committing to a major, ask yourself:
✅ Have I taken related high school classes and enjoyed them?
✅ Do I understand what the day-to-day work in this field actually involves?
✅ Am I okay with the salary range for this field?
✅ Does this major align with my strengths, not just interests?
✅ Have I talked to at least 2-3 people in this field?
✅ Am I choosing this for ME, not parents/friends/prestige?
✅ Do I have a backup plan if this doesn't work out?
If you answered yes to most of these, you're ready to commit.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a major is important, but it's not irreversible. The best choice is one that:
- Aligns with your interests
- Leverages your strengths
- Has reasonable career prospects
- You're willing to work hard for
Start today:
1. List 3-5 majors you're curious about
2. Research one major deeply this week
3. Reach out to one person in that field
4. Take or sign up for a related class
You've got this. Your future self will thank you for doing the research now. 🎓
