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Undeclared
students, ease your minds
For
those students joining Cal State Long Beach,
it is not necessary to choose a major right
away. It can be extremely beneficial to
wait and take general education classes
first, keeping a major in mind. This will
allow a chance to feel around the different
subjects offered before committing to just
one.
Many
times, students will find more than one
subject that suits their interests and have
a difficult time choosing between them.
There is no real time limit for this choice,
though if you are one of the lucky few who
know what they want to do, it is easier
to get ahead. The decision should be made
by the beginning of your third year because
by that time you have fulfilled most of
your required classes and have room for
concentrating on a major. Changing majors
after that time will cause you to stay in
school longer.
Waiting
to choose a major saves you the waste of
taking classes in a major you later opt
out of completing. Besides, there is no
guarantee you will work in the subject you
choose. Many college graduates have found
themselves in completely different areas
upon applying for jobs. What is important
is that you have the tenacity to stick to
a goal: that of completing your degree.
Most
majors do not actually plan for a career.
Instead they help you prepare for a wide
variety of jobs. Majors like English or
Philosophy do not have a specified career
path but if you enjoy the subjects they
will help you succeed by providing writing
or thinking skills. The academic prowess
you attain in college will help you meet
job market demands with desirable achievements
no matter what subject you decide to concentrate
on.
It
is beneficial to keep in contact with a
counselor. Sometimes taking a personality
test can help you commit to a few subjects
you enjoy. Counselors can help with that
decision and know the requirements for different
departments. Talking with the department
advisors will help you decide if the classes
in that subject are right for you. It is
always a good idea to get to know your advisor,
as they will be meeting with you along the
path to graduation and making sure you pick
the classes that will get you there.
According
to the University of Washington, people
switch majors three times and careers seven
times on average. You do not want to major
in a subject you don't like, only to later
get a job you don't like. Choose a subject
you enjoy, whether or not you feel there
are many jobs in that area. Who knows, by
the time you graduate, job availability
may change!
It
is also wise to choose a subject that you
do well in academically. Your time in school
should be difficult in a challenging way.
If you enjoy equations are excel in mathematics,
choose math. You will find the classes easier
and more enjoyable. Do not make this decision
based on what others think is lucrative
in the job market. The market may change,
and it is important to enjoy your time in
school. Even an environmental science major
may find himself or herself working in architecture.
The major does not matter as much as the
skills you acquire.
According
to Northern Kentucky University, one in
five students change their major between
admission and the first day of classes,
and three in four students are unsure about
their major. If you haven't yet chosen a
major, you are not alone. Keep ideas in
mind as you take your classes, and enjoy
your time here.
The
important thing is to learn about the different
subjects before choosing a major, and to
choose something so that you enjoy learning.
After all, that is what we are here for!
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