How Choosing a Major Doesn't Really Matter

Written by: Asia Outten

@asiaoutten

Photo by: PaisaWapas Blog

If you are feeling or if you have ever felt overwhelmed by choosing a major, you are not alone. When it comes to choosing a major, this is the plight of many students - I should know because I was one of them. Feeling the pressures of having to choose a major that would make me employable and earn me the most income, I visited a career counsellor here at Saint Mary's University. I was surprised and confused to learn that her overall advice was to choose a major that I am passionate about, not one that would earn me the most money - but now I get it. 

Through trial and error, I've learned that the process became less stressful when I focused on choosing a major that I was genuinely enthusiastic about. Studies have shown that you perform better when you are passionate about what you do. When you choose your major based on this merit, your enthusiasm will transmute into superb performance and career success. 

If you're stressing about choosing a major, consider the following points from Forbes that are sure to ease your nerves.

Firstly, possessing a degree already makes you more employable in today's competitive workforce. Unless you want to become a doctor, a lawyer, or an architect, your major does not matter. In other words, many jobs require a Bachelor's degree, but it rarely matters what field it is. 

 Secondly, your work ethic and attitude is a more significant determinant for career success than your degree. That is to say, individuals who major in their field of choice, for example, law or business, do not always end up becoming more successful than those who entered the same areas with an unrelated major. You don't have to major in business management to become a manager, or English to become a bestselling author; at the end of the day, it's your hard work and effort that will aid in your success. 

 Experience is a determining factor, too. You can gain experience through paid internships, becoming involved in groups and committees on and off-campus, volunteering in groups and causes you are passionate in, and the list goes on. Your experiences more than likely will outshine your major on your job applications. The best part is that gaining experience allows you to create and recreate your job profile. 

 Also, soft skills pack a harder punch than you may think when it comes to what employers are looking for in a good employee. Examples of soft skills are listening, communication, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, teamwork, creativity and other similar qualities. Soft skills are more important than a major because they help the employer understand whether or not you will be a good fit into the workplace environment and how well you will perform. 

Last but not least, networking is vital, and it matters more than your college major. Despite which major you choose, "if no one knows who you are, no one will care how smart you are." If you truly want to be successful, you should put just as much, if not more time, into building networks, making new contacts and meeting new associates than you do into your studies. Ways that you can expand your network include building relationships with your professors, participating in internships and volunteering, and creating relationships with peers and even strangers who fascinate you. 

We all have those moments where we second guess our major and how much success we may or may not be able to achieve in it. Despite which major you choose, be sure to prioritize your personal development as well