Some argue that changing a college major is a mistake. It can seem stressful, like most changes, but change can also be worth the initial anxiety.
Many students change their majors and benefit from the results. Consulting friends, teachers, and family members can help ease the anxiety of a major change. However, if students constantly switch majors, possibly every semester, it may be worth taking a break to figure out their future.
Family members and advisors sometimes frown upon changing a major and may be challenging due to financial constraints. Instead of switching majors as soon as there is a loss of interest, taking a break can address insecurities about judgment and money.
Others might say college is a place to explore all possibilities. Learning from subjects that suit your skills before graduation could be critical. While having a student learn as much as possible about their desired field is important, a degree does not always define a career path.
“Your major is not necessarily the one and only thing you can do,” said Christopher Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education, an education and admissions consulting company, to USNews. “I think people put too much pressure and too much weight on that.”
Taking classes at a liberal arts college offers students opportunities to explore concentrations unrelated to their majors, thanks to core-requisites, social science requirements and other requirements. Changing majors isn’t uncommon at GCSU, and some students offer insight into why it’s not necessarily a bad decision.
“Originally, I didn’t know much about my first major, and the range of jobs felt slimmer than in marketing,” said Dorie McKown, a freshman who switched from management to marketing.
After researching a marketing major during her first year of college, she found it a better fit and has no regrets. She feels a marketing degree will expand her job opportunities.
“I want to be a music producer at a studio,” said Kevin Jessup, a junior and computer science major who has switched majors twice.“When I first started college, my parents tried to convince me to be a pharmacist.”
Jessup’s original plan was to major in biology and pursue a career his parents wanted, one he thought he also wanted. Later, he switched to management, thinking it would be adaptable, but after poor grades, he took a year off. Returning to GCSU, he chose computer science but found his true passion through a music appreciation class.
“Nothing I picked was what I was passionate about,” Jessup said. “A degree or certificate in music production is going to complement my interest best.”
Both students agree that having college experience before making a major decision helped them find the right fit. Even after Jessup’s six semesters, he found that the most important thing was studying for a job he would enjoy.
The key takeaway for students considering a major change is that they’re not alone—many students have done it before and made it work.
