The question everyone keeps asking
“What colleges are you looking at?” “What major are you going to choose?” And the big one, “What do you want to do for the rest of your life?” Sound familiar?
What an idea – that at age 18, usually even sooner, we are expected to choose the course of the rest of our lives. Some people have known from birth that they want to be a doctor, a veterinarian, or a firefighter, but most often, this is not the case. It wasn’t for me, and if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance it hasn’t been for you either.
You don’t have to have it all figured out
I am here to put down the rumor that you have to know, right now, what you want to do for the rest of your life. Don’t have a lifelong dream of a future career? Neither did I.
When I was deciding what to do after high school, I wasn’t even sure college was the right move. I considered joining the Peace Corps or becoming a full time missionary. When I did picture college, my ideas bounced between being a medical examiner, a forensic scientist, or an elementary school teacher. I knew I loved helping people, I enjoyed crime TV, and my mom was a teacher. Ultimately, I decided I would attend Tarleton State to become a teacher. Why did I choose this? Not sure, maybe it felt familiar!
It’s okay if your plan changes
Before stepping on campus, my mom encouraged me to think beyond teaching. So I went back to the drawing board and chose General Business. And why did I choose this? Well, I didn’t know that General Studies existed. I just knew I needed time and options.
Halfway through college, I landed a graphic design internship simply because it sounded fun. I ended up loving it and added Art and Digital Media Studies minors to my degree plan. Today, I have been a full-time graphic designer for two years.
At 18, I had no idea that my current career was even possible for me.
Majors that can lead to many career paths
If you are unsure about your future career, choosing a broad or flexible major can give you time and options. These types of degrees focus on skills that transfer across industries, like communication, problem solving, and leadership.
Some examples include:
These majors do not lock you into one job. Instead, they open doors to a variety of industries and graduate programs.
Start with your basics
Your first year or two of college is typically spent completing your basic courses. These classes are usually required across many majors and allow you to explore different subjects without committing too early.
By taking your basics early in your college career, you give yourself more time to decide what path might suit you best. I had plenty of friends who switched majors and still graduated on time because their early basic courses applied to their new degree plans.
Use electives to explore what you enjoy
When you find something you enjoy, you can often add it to your degree plan.
Many degrees allow room for electives. My degree plan included 30 elective hours, which gave me the flexibility to add two minors, Art and Digital Media Studies. Once I realized I wanted to pursue a creative role, adding these minors strengthened my resume and helped shape my career path.
Your next step does not have to be your final one
So this is my encouragement if you don’t know what major to choose.
You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do right now. College is about learning, exploring, and discovering what fits you best. Choosing Tarleton State means choosing a place that supports you while you figure that out.