Changing majors, career paths part of finding ‘perfect’ job

By Katie Levans

Special to The Johnsonian

Major Opportunities, Minor Time Commitment

More years ago than I’d like to admit, I entered my undergraduate college career convinced I would major in English and be the next great American novelist. Four years and countless changes of heart later—journalism, communications, history, law (??)—I graduated with a B.A. in… Spanish.

Upon entering the real world, I thought I’d get my doctorate en espanol and instead be the next great American Spanish professor. But, sometimes, life has other plans, and I ended up working a nine-to-five (or seven-to-six, more like it) in the white collar corporate world. I gave presentations, ran meetings, traveled the world and then walked away last year to pursue a masters in… nutrition.

I can’t be the only twenty-something floating through this murky void, constantly changing my mind, back-tracking and starting over to find my way through the twisted and tangled world of full-time employment. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing exactly where you want to be 50, 10 or even five years from now, but you can save yourself a good bit of time, money and sleepless nights if you take a minute to really assess your skills, your dreams, your drive and ultimately your dream job so you can select the major and minor that will get you there.

You can get some help along the way from the folks in the Center for Career and Civic Engagement.  They offer online assessments to help you declare your major and find professions that match your interest.  In addition to taking an assessment, new this year is an event featuring representatives from each academic department, including graduate programs. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and collect information that will help you make more informed decisions as you move forward—no matter how far along you are in the process. 

I Have No Idea What I Want to Do:

 No problem! Whether you’re a freshman who hasn’t yet declared a major or a senior who can’t decide whether or not to pursue graduate school, you’re not the only one unsure of what to do next. I’ve found that figuring out what I want out of life takes figuring out what I don’t want, too. Take classes you think you’ll hate. Talk to professors in departments you may have dismissed. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Maybe you’ll hate it, but you’ll be one step closer to something you love.

I Have a Major, I Don’t Need a Minor:

Au contraire, confident co-ed. I graduated from a university that didn’t even offer minors, and I see now how helpful having one would be today. A minor isn’t just extra work for you to worry about while you’re in school; it’s a way for you to augment your academic studies and make you a more desirable candidate for a more diverse array of jobs post graduation. Put in the work now, reap the benefits later.

Am I Ready for Grad School?:

Maybe. Maybe not. Grad school is different for different people. I worked for three years before going back to school and I wouldn’t change that for anything. It took working in a field that didn’t interest me for me to realize what I really wanted to do with my life. If you’re ahead of the game and know what you want, then carefully consider your options and then go for it. Talk with graduate program directors and current students to understand exactly what you’ll be getting yourself into. Some programs require professional work experience, others accept students straight out of undergraduate study. Use the fair as a chance to find what works for you.

No matter where you are on your path to a career, the best thing I can tell you is this: It’s ok to change your mind. We members of the Millennial Generation don’t enter the work world planning to stay at the same company until we retire. We’ll bounce around—not just from job to job but from industry to industry, too—and that’s ok. But having a solid educational background that you can carry with you along the way will make all the difference in your journey. Visit the Center for Career and Civic Engagement in Crawford for more information and don’t miss the Major & Minor Market on March 8, 2011 in DIGS Ballroom.