As you continue to look forward to your first year of college, you might be considering different majors. While you generally aren’t required to declare a major during your freshman year, it can help to form at least a tentative plan for your future. So as you consider different degree programs, we wanted to get a few of the most common dilemmas out of the way for you.
Yes, liberal arts majors get jobs after graduation. Certain degree programs, such as nursing or engineering, lead to very specific career paths. But for those more interested in liberal arts degrees, the question of whether you will land a job after graduation might make you hesitate. The good news is that yes, liberal arts majors do usually find themselves pursuing satisfactory careers. A liberal arts degree prepares you for a variety of possibilities, by helping you develop research and writing skills, critical thinking, and logical reasoning.
Yes, you can change your major. In fact, this is quite common. Many college students change their major at least once during their four years at a university. Keep in mind that if you change majors later on, such as during your junior or senior year, you might spend an extra semester or two in college. But often, it can be worth it to diversify your experience and end up with a degree that truly fits you.
No, you’re not “locked in” to only one field once you declare a major. You can double major, minor, or at least take elective classes in another field that interests you. So you don’t have to give up your dream of dance training, playing the saxophone, or enjoyment of visual arts.
Yes, you should plan ahead for medical school, veterinary school, or law school… But no, you don’t major in those things. If you hope to apply to medical school, veterinary school, or law school, you need to prepare by taking certain courses in addition to the required classes in your degree program. But you do not actually major in those fields. For example, most pre-med students major in Biology or Chemistry, although some choose liberal arts degrees.
You might have more freedom than you think. If none of the available majors at your college feel just right, some schools actually let you design your own degree program. This can be the perfect choice for students with diverse interests, or those with a very specific career path in mind.