Majoring in the Rest of Your Life

Should you study something you love or a degree that will get you a job?

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Unfortunately, human beings are not always rational decision makers. The decision to invest additional resources into a losing investment when there are better prospects available. While the book is fascinating, I found it incredibly slow and difficult reading. Trying to read straight through was taking up too much time, keeping me from other books I could have digested more easily.

How important is your major?

Once I finally did, though, I immediately saw the benefit. I was able to finish books I had more interest in, while still coming back to Kahneman to research specific topics.

It means turning your attention to a more promising opportunity. Want to double major? If you believe two majors will be complimentary, or will help you achieve a specific goal, then the extra effort involved in completing them can be worth it.

10 Dumb Mistakes Students Make When Choosing A Major

These extra academic credentials have an opportunity cost , however; they take up more of your time. Asian Efficiency , one of my favorite blogs on productivity, has a powerful reminder in the header on every page:. Taking on two majors means heaping on a significant amount of extra class time — and homework — onto your daily schedule. You do not have to collect them all.

Instead, deliberately define your goals. Be mindful of your path , and do what will get you closer to achieving those goals. One of my best friends spent his first 5 semesters trying — unsuccessfully — to major in computer engineering.

Guide to Choosing College Majors | The Princeton Review

Now, if you see a person doing this major, what would you expect to see them doing in their free time? So, eventually, I asked him bluntly:. You will not be House if you decide to become a pre-med. We are discouraged by many from pursuing abstract interests because, apparently, the prospects are unrealistic. But is it really worth taking an unappealing route on the basis that it could possibly increase your chance of securing a job? It's difficult to enter employment from any angle, so why not try with a subject you enjoy?

The concept of standing by what you love despite the risks is dismissed by some - namely disapproving parents and teachers - but I believe it to be more sensible than focusing solely on a job. Having a genuine interest in something can't be faked and it's the surest way to succeed. As Steve Jobs famously said, "the only way to do great work is to love what you do". In the long term, deciding to study the subject of your choice is generally more beneficial. Simple factors such as a person's happiness and sense of fulfilment are overlooked in this argument, even though they are largely affected by career choices.

These factors aren't just based on income, either - studies have shown that there is little correlation between people's salaries and their job satisfaction. The fact is, there are few reasons not to study what you genuinely want to. Achieving in the subject area that appeals to you is always possible and if you don't do it, other people will.

I believe you have to make the right decisions for yourself, because no argument against this will counteract your regrets when you see people of the same age and ability as you excelling in your dream job. University is all about doing something you love, right? Credit for Life Experience: Colleges and Universities are giving credit for life experiences that relate to courses they offer.

Best Undergraduate Degrees by Salary.

A College Major is not a destination. Majors help learners explore interests and pathways to a profession. How can you keep things in perspective about your need to choose a major? First, let's define what majors are and why you eventually need to select one if you are going to aspire to finish a college degree in the United States. Majors are also called concentrations. An academic major or concentration is a college or university student's main field of specialization during his or her associates or undergraduate studies which would be in addition to, and may incorporate portions of, a core curriculum.

The core curriculum covers a range of subjects giving the student or learner a good basis of knowledge and exposure. Second , recognize we live in a world of specialization. Industries - like transportation, communications, internet and health care can be divided and broken down into thousands of areas of specialization. An academic discipline, or field of study, is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines cross industries —such as history, linguistics, literature, performing arts, philosophy, religion, social sciences, economics, geography, political science, natural sciences, mathematics and applied sciences.

In no way was that list meant to itemize them all. Third , majors help demonstrate how you learn to focus and apply yourself - much like a baseball player is assigned a position to play on defense or a lineup position in the batting order. Yet, the major does not actually prepare you for a specific job or position in the real world.

In a hypothetical setting, colleges and universities utilize majors as a means to segment instruction across a range of academic departments. And, the major and departments, through concentrations, can then assess comprehension and learning outcomes. Majors are not static - they will change and evolve over time. Things constantly change as knowledge, practices, technologies, industries, etc.

So, understanding that selecting a college major is not about picking one area of concentration for the rest of your life. It is more about picking an area of study - demonstrating your aptitude, perseverance, focus and ability to master subjects — which will be attractive to future employers or opportunities where your credential will be one of the characteristics that helps you stand out from the crowd.

Testing Out of College Courses: Think you have to take every course required by your college or university? If you have the knowledge, take an exam and skip the course. These examinations are well respected and supported by many institutions. Moldoff who has worked in higher education for over thirty five years.

Moldoff has been developing student centered enrollment systems since the 70's spanning multiple institutions, policies and practices. Moldoff graduated from Drexel University through the cooperative education program and majored in economics with a minor in marketing.

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