Not everyone knows from the get-go what they want to do with the rest of their life. That doesn't happen very often, actually.
The truth is, most people change their major at least once during college. Some change it two or three (or even four!) times before they find the right fit.
As you take a variety of classes and get involved, you'll learn which subjects and areas you like and don't like, and it will become clear to you which direction to take.
"I’m a very outgoing person. I changed my major from psychology after my first year because I felt like it didn’t suit me. I felt like I could truly be myself in comm. studies, though. I can be outgoing and creative, and there are multiple jobs and careers that I can see myself doing long term in this field. It fits me because I’m a social butterfly. ... I believe you shouldn't live with the regret of not going for your dreams or goals because then you will never know what could've been."
"I started out as an adolescence education major and switched to media studies and theatre. Being able to make music videos and do all these cool projects – I love it so much. I’m so glad I made that change. I feel like everyone says you can change your major so many times and I never thought I would, but it’s so true. If I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today."
“I wanted to be a dietitian, but after taking those courses I realized it wasn't something I wanted to do. I went into sociology and took a class with Professor Christopher Curch. He was such a great teacher that I fell in love with sociology. Now I’m working as a care coordinator for Mount Sinai and personal trainer and will be going for my MSW!”
"I changed my major first semester from biology to communication studies. I started with bio because of pressure from high school and not learning about all the different opportunities. I chose communications based on my extracurricular activities and what I loved doing on campus. Now I work in student engagement for an international education and travel organization for students!"
"I started out as a physics major, but I had to take a basic American History class for general education, and I just loved it. I loved my professor. After that, I didn’t want to open another physics textbook ever again. History was easier for me. I like thinking in that way and having different perspectives on different things and hearing different points of view. I ended up taking that professor every semester and made him my advisor."
"I was a psychology major my freshman year, and I was sitting in class and I was like ‘I don’t know if I can do this. I have to do something - touch something - to learn.’ I used to do theater in high school. I knew we had a theater major here, so I switched. That was the best choice of my life. I did an internship with the costuming department. Just being able to do things hands-on has been a great experience. It all ties into event planning as well because you have all these different concepts coming together to create one production. So changing majors was the best decision I ever made."
"I actually started out at Penn State and I was majoring in chemistry. The original plan was to then go to dental school and become either an oral surgeon or an orthodontist. About half a semester in, I realized I really didn’t like chemistry as much as I thought I did and was pretty unhappy. I ended up leaving Penn State and took some time off because I really had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I started thinking about what I liked and if I could turn that into a career. I was always fascinated by television news and reporters and anchors so I began looking into that. I found Oneonta, and the mass communication major seemed perfect, and it ended up being a great fit. Now I'm working as a Line Producer at Fox News Media."
"I switched my major four times. I came in as dietetics, then switched to psychology, then business economics. And then the new sport management program was created. So I changed to that and really enjoyed it. I grew up in a sports family. Sports has been everything to me, and when I realized this new major had come along, I was like, 'Wow, I really want to try that!' It’s more of what I specifically want to do."
“For a year-and-a-half, I was a double major in political science and education. I love kids – but I realized it wasn’t for me. A big part of it was, coming into college when you tell someone you’re a political science major, they say, ‘Oh, what are you going to do with that?’ And so I was almost a little nervous just to be political science. As I got really into the political science department and working with professors and being involved, I realized I could be a political science major and will be just fine. I just had to trust my gut and instincts.”
“At first, I was only a media studies major. All I wanted to do was learn about TV and film. Then I took Theatre Appreciation and Acting I, and I fell in love with theater. So I decided that I wanted to double major in media studies and theatre! After graduating, I did the Summer Shakespeare Intensive acting program with Prague Shakespeare Company. Now I work at Food Network as assistant to the producers! My dream is to be on SNL someday.”
“I came in as an adolescence ed/math major and then changed to adolescence ed/Spanish after a short-term study abroad trip to Ecuador with Dr. Joest and Dr. Frank. Best decision I’ve ever made! Now I’m a Spanish teacher. My favorite part is interacting with students and watching them learn and grow as they learn new skills and about different cultures.”
"I started out undecided, but I knew I wanted to go into art or psychology. After being in classes for both and meeting some of the art professors, one told me all about what I could do with art, so I just took his advice and ran with it! I took psych classes as well because I was still interested in that. Now I freelance part time as a graphic designer. I’ve done logo designs and illustrations for various clients across the U.S. and illustrated an adult coloring book."
"I came to college as a freshman biology major thinking that I had everything figured out. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go in life. Eventually, however, I realized that there were some things about the major that I just didn’t like, and my plans started falling apart. When I switched to psychology, I found that there were more pathways that I could take that I had interest in. I’m still figuring it out. Take your time to explore different options and, above all else, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have everything perfectly planned out right now."
Are you undecided? Don't know what major to declare? Staff from our Academic Advisement Center and Career Development Center can help you figure it out!
The Career Development team specializes in career exploration and the job market, while Academic Advisement helps students create an individualized degree "roadmap" so you can plan what classes to take and graduate on time.
Not sure where to begin? Check out this Career Exploration page and "10 Things You Can Do Now If You're Still Undecided About Your Major."
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