Extracurriculars, SATs and college visits are stressful enoughâand now youâre expected to choose a major? Deciding what you want to do in college is a big step. Although it isnât everything, youâll be taking the majority of your classes in the subject, so youâll want to make sure you choose something youâll enjoy. Have you been wondering how much your major really matters or hearing things you arenât sure are true? Weâve talked to Michelle Podbelsek, a college counselor, and collegiettes firsthand to bust all the myths about majoring in college. Read on and relax.
1. You have to go into the field you major in
Many people donât end up working in the field they major in. If you arenât sure you want to make a career out of your major, thatâs okay! And if you know you want to go into a certain field you arenât majoring in, thatâs perfectly okay too!
âIf you want to go to medical school, you can have any majorâyou just need to complete certain courses in undergrad so you are ready to apply,â Podbelsek says. âFor law school, you can have any majorâit will depend on your GPA and LSAT scores, etc. to be admitted to law school after your bachelorâs degree. Many students may study something more broadâlike psychology, economics, Englishâthey will learn analytical thinking and writing skills that can later apply to many different fields.â
If you know you want to work in a specific field like computer science or nursing, youâll have to be in certain programs to do so. But for a field like journalism, that isnât the case!
âYou don’t have to major in journalism to be a journalist!â says Chelsea Schroeder, a freshman at Bowling Green State University. Journalism is most valuable when people from various academic backgrounds are contributing to it, so a variety of majors is actually beneficial!
2. There are âeasyâ majors
A lot of the time, people think that certain majors are âeasierâ than others. Every major has a different approach to learning, but that doesnât make any major invalid or less important.
Helmi Henkin, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, has experienced this stereotype as student pursuing a dual degree in psychology and French. âMost, if not all, of my STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) major friends think that my majors are âeasyâ and ânot real majors,ââ she says. âDespite the negative stigma surrounding the study of humanities, I don’t feel like I have to defend my majors to anyone. I truly believe college is about finding yourself and studying what you love is an essential part of that.â
Helmi is so right! If youâre happy with what youâre majoring in, no one should be able to put that down. Majoring in psychology or journalism isnât any less difficult than majoring in engineeringâitâs just different.
Related: 4 Myths About Liberal Arts Colleges You Shouldnât Believe
3. Itâs not a good idea to switch majors multiple times
Many people go into college without knowing what they want to do in the future, and thatâs totally okay! If you try something out and it doesnât end up being for you, it isnât the end of the world. Thereâs nothing wrong with switching majors (even a few times!).
âMany students will switch majors several times,â Podbelsek says. 50-70 percent of students change their major at least once, and the majority of people switch at least three times before they graduate!
“I came into college as a finance and economics double major, but I didn’t end up liking it at all,” says Allison Zeppuhar, a junior at James Madison University. “Now I’m majoring in computer information systems, and I’m truly enjoying what I’m learning! Changing majors didn’t hold me back at all, it only opened doors for more opportunities.” As long as you know what courses are required for the major you choose and plan your schedule accordingly, youâre in the clear!
4. Your major will be important to future employers
Oftentimes, employers donât even look at what you majored in! People will talk down about certain majors like English, saying that itâs impossible to get a job with an English degree. We suggest telling these people to mind their own business!
âPeople may have a major in one field, and a minor or job or internship experience in another area,â Podbelsek says. âThat would also be considered by employers.â Experience is often more valuable than what you major in!
Sydney Brodie, a recent English graduate from the University of Florida, shares her experience with us. âI managed to get a job at a PR firm after graduation, so I think Iâm proof that majors donât always matter and you can in fact get a good job with an English degree,â she says. âFor example, in the PR world, going out to do internships and working in the real world is much more valuable than having a PR major. Of course, this probably isnât true for every industry (like maybe accounting or finance), but in more creative fields (PR, marketing, journalism) employers donât often discriminate with majors.â
Donât let people put you down if you arenât a business or science major! Your major should be a reflection of what you like to doÂÂÂÂâyouâll get your foot in the door with hard work and relevant experience.
Alana Claro, a junior at CĂĄsper LĂbero University, had a similar experience. âIn my classroom, with both my colleagues and teachers, it seems as if you are majoring in journalism, the newsroom is the only place you can and must work,â she says. âBut, while talking to my co-workers at a PR agency, they usually say that while your major may help you with some abilities, insights and even academic background, it is mostly your choice and how you use every little thing you learn. The office manager even told me that when they are hiring someone, what the person majored in is the least of their concerns.â
Many majors have overlapping classes or relevant experience that can help you in various fields. Donât choose your major based on what you think future employers will be looking for!
Now that weâve busted the most common myths about majoring in college, you should feel less stressed and ready to take on your collegiette career. If you end up not liking your major, you can always switch it! If you have no idea what you want to do, go in undecided and see what catches your attention. As we said, majors arenât everything, and your hard work is what will help you succeed in the end!