How to Narrow Down What Degree to Major In
Attending college is a financial investment and time commitment. While
you can always begin as an exploratory student and narrow your focus after
a year or two, it’s advantageous to enter a program with a specific
degree in mind, if possible. Here are some tips to help you decide what
degree to major in.
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Consider your interests. Start by thinking about which of your passions could set you on the path
to a satisfying and rewarding career. If you enjoy helping people, a degree
in criminal justice, nursing, or social work may be right for you. If
you love children, majoring in teaching or family studies could be worthwhile.
Or if you like technology, studying computer information systems or radiology
might be the right fit.
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Determine what level of education you need. Do a little research to help you find out whether you’ll need an
associate’s degree, doctorate, or something in between to get hired
at your dream job. A four-year bachelor’s degree is adequate for
many high-paying positions, but teaching jobs, for example, usually require
a master’s degree.
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Test out majors by taking introductory classes. Students aren’t required to have their degree figured out when they
enroll in college. If you just can’t narrow it down, take several
intro classes for the degrees that interest you most. After one semester,
you may realize that your Marketing 101 class bored you, but the psychology
course piqued your interest. Use these impressions to point you in the
right direction.
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Ask for advice. You don’t have to figure this out all on your own. Ask your parents,
older siblings, and friends for suggestions based on their experiences
both during and after college. Is there a specific path they recommend?
Anything they wish they had done differently? You can garner valuable
insights by asking people you trust for help.
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Meet with an academic advisor. Everyone’s career goals are a little different, so it’s useful
to speak with an advisor who can help you design an educational path to
help you get there. A counselor can help you select a degree and sign
up for the right classes at the right time to ensure you graduate within
the desired timeframe.
At Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s global campus, eNSU,
we offer 40
online degree programs ranging from the associate’s degree level to postgraduate and doctorate
degrees. We have something for just about everyone, and our online learning
platform makes it possible to earn a degree from anywhere! Our
academic advising services can help you get on the right path to a successful college experience
and future career.
For answers to any remaining questions you have, or to begin the
application process, please
contact us today.