Finding Your Major
Dr. Ron Jacobson – Dean, College of Education and Lead Professor of the Identity and Vocation Course
One of the joys of university life is deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life! Of course, for many students coming right out of high school, that decision is difficult. There are so many choices. We’re afraid we might get stuck in a profession that we don’t enjoy. We’re reluctant to “waste” credits as we “check out” majors before committing. As I’ve worked with university students over the past couple of decades, I find myself asking them the same questions as they consider this rather daunting question: What should I major in?
Who are you?
What are you passionate about? What do you care about? What excites you? Answering these questions will involve personal reflection, but may also include some kind of inventory (e.g., StrengthsFinder, MBTI). The goal here is to tap into those bigger concerns and interests that drive you. If you detest budgets and hate keeping track of your finances, then perhaps accounting may not be the best choice. If you care deeply about the plight of the oppressed, then perhaps social work, community concerns, or even law may be a good path.
What are you good at?
Remember, God has made us who we are. This is true genetically (think of God knitting us together in our mother’s womb), as well as experientially (e.g., the influence of family, friends, schooling, travel, etc.). So, where do your gifts lie? What are you good at? And, what are the underlying components of those gifts? You may be good at math, but perhaps underneath that ability is a propensity toward organization and order. Hence, you may choose a career in mathematics, or in organizational development, or even project management.
What has God placed on your heart?
Often when we think of choosing a major, we first think about what we enjoy. This is certainly viable, but biblically, that may not be the most important question to consider. It may make more sense to first ask “What should I do?” instead of “What would fulfill me?” This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t consider fulfillment, but that we should remember that our God is a God who “calls” us. So, what kinds of “callings” have you sensed from God? Where is he leading you?
What do others say?
Guess what? Being human means we have blind spots! Often those around us can see us a bit more clearly in some areas of our lives than we can. That’s true of personal habits and also may be true of vocational choices (e.g., should I be a teacher or a chef?). So, ask your friends and family what they see you doing. Ask them what kinds of careers they think you’d be good at or enjoy. Of course, this is ultimately your choice, but leaning on the insight of others is another great tool in the process!
Try some stuff out!
I’ve found that one of the best ways to know if something is a good fit is simply to try it out. Do you wonder if you’d enjoy being an elementary school teacher? Then, go hang out in an elementary school for a few weeks. You may find that you actually don’t like working with children. Career disaster averted. So, volunteer, get involved, do a job shadow, get some experience, try out some courses in different areas. The general education requirements at NU are flexible enough to accommodate this kind of class exploration in your first two years.
Pick a major that you love!
When both of my children went off to university, my mantra was consistent as they considered different majors: find a major that interests you. Look for something you love. What you learn in college is bigger than any specific content area. Things like critical thinking, problem- solving, working with others, and discipline are the key components to a good undergraduate education. Don’t see your undergrad degree as only a career path; see it as a chance to grow, change, broaden your view, and develop critical skills. What you decide to major in won’t determine the rest of your life—you and God will do that! What you major in is simply another step along that path of discovery.