What Should My Major Be in College: Should Taking Classes Online Make a Difference?
Have you taken every online quiz you could find about college majors only to become more confused? Are you wondering how you managed to be perfect for both a career as an accountant and a firefighter? Step back and take a deep breath. There's more than one way to figure out what you should study in college and how taking classes online will impact your studies.
Taking Classes Online is Basically the Same as Traditional Programs
If you're thinking you should steer clear of some majors because you will be taking online classes, never fear. Although you will need to be self-motivated for online courses, the coursework and pace of the class will be the same, no matter if you're in a chair in a classroom or sitting behind your computer in your PJs.
Also, don't let difficulty dissuade you from a career path. All college degrees come with a level of difficulty, and there's no easy way to earn a bachelor's. But if you have the drive and determination to study one subject, that can help carry you through online education. Which brings you back to your original pondering: which subject should it be?
Where is the World Heading? Are You Going With It?
You're a little different than the average college student. You're not going to college because you think you should, you know you should, and you know that college can take you where you need to be. When you're selecting your major, you should look at the future around that major. You would not earn a degree in VCR repair for a very good reason!
As the world changes, you want to select a major that will keep up with it. This might mean taking up classes in cybersecurity or information systems. It might also mean looking for a school that doesn't just teach criminal justice, but focuses on an area like digital forensics or crime analysis. Google some information about the fields you're thinking about joining. Are they all going to be able to support you and provide for you in the coming years?
If one looks like it's going the way of the Victrola, you might want to reconsider. After all, you're looking for a long, prosperous career in your field. You want the most up-to-date information and education to make sure you can compete with other people in the field.
Visualize Your Future: Where Are You?
Think about what jobs you see yourself working. Are you a caring and productive boss with a bachelor's in business management? Are you a careful, eagle-eyed police officer with a bachelor's in criminal justice? Or are you a creative and skilled software designer, coming up with the latest designs using the skills you earned as a software development major?
Also, think about what skills do you already have. What skills do you want to cultivate during your degree? What soft skills do you bring to the table? What do you need to work on? Write a list of where you are currently, where you want to be in the future, and how you can get from point A to point B through online education.
Should I Go With my Gut When Choosing a College Major?
Some advice columns suggest going with your gut instinct when it comes to choosing a major and others tell you that will lead you down a dark path. What your "gut" really gauges is your passion for a subject and following your passion is always a good idea. Combine your instincts and passion with your research, visualization, and see where you land.
After all, you don't want to start studying a course you find dull. You might find yourself bored by the first online lecture and rethink the entire going to college idea. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you might not want to follow your passion for a niche subject so small there isn't enough work for those in the field, let alone those coming into it. The key to choosing your college major, like many other things in life, is balance.
Find the balance between your passions, your abilities, and the availability of work now and in the future. If you complete this triangle, you might just find your college major won't be such a difficult choice after all!
Are you interested in taking online classes? Do you want to study criminal justice, technology, business, health science or more? ECPI University offers 100% online degree programs at an accelerated pace. For more information about this exciting opportunity, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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