The Future of Work: Are You Choosing The Right College Major?
If you are in college and don’t know what to major in, or even if you already choose a major but aren’t sure if it was the right decision, then this article is for you. Choosing a major is a lot of pressure, after all, it will define the rest of your life. But you can do some things to help you see more clearly. These tips will help you to know if you are choosing the right college major.
Choosing Based on Passion, Values, and Abilities
One reason why people regret choosing a major later in life is that they took the decision based on other people’s suggestions or because of money. So, getting to know yourself enough to identify what you are passionate about, which values you want to live by, and which abilities you already have is key. You can do a career quiz if you aren’t sure of what you like.
Abilities are the things you are good at, like math, talking in public, or art. These can help you narrow your selection. But don’t rule out some careers that really interest you because you don’t have the skill, that’s what college is for. The point is to consider if you can use what you already have.
Choosing a major based on what you are passionate about could be the best decision for some people. When you are passionate about your career you will endure even the hardest days in exchange for doing what you love. Also, it is important to consider your values when taking this decision; your values must align with what you will be doing for the rest of your life.
Consider The Future
When choosing a major it is also essential to consider the future. Consider if you will still enjoy your career a few years from now or if your job will survive the technology revolution we are experiencing. So, remember that you have to like it enough to do it for the next 20 or 30 years.
On the other hand, technology is growing at a fast pace and the new developments in machine learning and AI are at an all-time high. This means we could see robots and computers that think like humans in our life-time and they will potentially be replacing many of the existing jobs.
Also, you should have an idea of the type of lifestyle you want to live and how much money you will need for it. You don’t have to make a decision just based on money but you should know the average salary for each career and at least know what you can expect.
Which Careers Are Less Likely To Disappear
Technology
As mentioned before, technology is gaining ground over other industries and could potentially replace many current jobs. So, any tech profession will be a good choice for the future. You could study anything related to AI, which is an area in need of qualified professionals and in high demand.
You can also choose to become a software engineer, which is a career with a broad market because you can work developing a lot of different things, from software to cloud computers and Blockchain platforms. Another option is to major in computer science or any other type of engineering aiming for the future, such as environmental engineering.
Healthcare
Choosing to major in a healthcare career is also an excellent option. Healthcare professionals are always needed, and as the pandemic has shown, our society has a shortage in this area when the situation really calls for it.
It is also less likely that technology will replace them any time soon. After all, not everyone will be ready to put their lives entirely on a machine. A profession in healthcare will probably always have a job in the future, and, even though it requires a lot of dedication and money at the beginning, it is very rewarding.
Also, if you do enough research, many institutions and universities give scholarships for medical school. Plus, after the pandemic, even the government is enabling resources for people wanting to become a healthcare professional.
In Summary
When making a decision as life-changing as it is to choose a college major you should consider all possible aspects. The first step should be to really know yourself, what you like and are passionate about, and by which values you are going to live by.
If you really know these things, everything else takes a secondary position like how much money you will make. The point is to choose something you believe will be fulfilling and rewarding enough that you will stay even in the worst of times.
About the Author
Artur Meyster is the founder of Career Karma, a community focused on matching members with the perfect bootcamps to hone their professional technology skills.