How to Choose a College Major

This blog post is all about how to choose a college major for you.

Learn how to choose a college major for you — whether you’re trying to figure it out during application season or realizing two years in that your current major just isn’t it anymore, this post will help you evaluate what matters when choosing a major. I’ll be sharing with you my personal experience on what to look for within a major and of course, make sure to always check in with an academic counselor or a career advisor.

How to Choose a College Major: Introduction

Let’s start with the basics. Your major is simply the subject you’re deciding to pursue a degree in. We’re talking about bachelor’s degrees here, and most majors at that level are pretty broad — psychology, math, political science, neuroscience, economics, etc. They give you a foundation, not full career training. I know you’re probably going to hate hearing this, but a bachelor’s degree is just the beginning when it comes to building a professional career.

As a first-generation college student, I was so mad when professors started talking about grad school. Like, what do you mean four years isn’t enough?! But they were right. A degree reflects how much expertise you have in a subject — the more advanced the degree, the more specialized your knowledge. Grad school programs are less about “majors” and more about joining a department, certification track, or credentialed program — like a PhD in Sociology, law school, or a Master’s in Social Work.

In society, we’re (hopefully) compensated based on our skills and knowledge. That’s why advanced degrees often lead to higher-paying jobs and more respected roles. But with that comes more responsibility. When I was a senior, I just wanted a high-paying job — period. Now, three years post-grad, I’ve realized that more money doesn’t always mean more happiness. Yes, money can solve and prevent a lot of problems — but that’s another conversation. The point is, your first job out of college might not pay as much as you hoped, especially if your parents told you college would guarantee a better life. You might even be making less than your dad who works in construction (me). But your pay can grow over time as you gain skills and experience.

Before we dive into the tips, let me remind you: your bachelor’s degree is just the start. You don’t have to stick with the career you wanted when you were 17. Let’s talk about how to choose a major that works for you — and how to get the most out of it so the time and money you put into undergrad actually pay off.

How to Choose a College Major #1: Self-Reflection

This is about asking the right questions to figure out what fits you. Not what sounds good to your family or what your high school said was smart. So let’s find something that actually fits your interests, strengths, and energy levels.

Ask yourself:

What subjects do I genuinely enjoy?
What comes naturally to me?
What drains me?
Would I rather work with data, my hands, people, or ideas?

You’ve lived enough life to know what excites you and what doesn’t. These questions can help reveal patterns and guide you toward a major that feels right. Some majors — like business, econ, or biology — might lead to higher-paying jobs right after college or set you up for careers like becoming a doctor. But if you hate those subjects, you’ll probably burn out before graduation. Pick something that keeps you motivated enough to push through. You don’t need to be amazing at it from day one. You just need to care enough to grow.

And yes, graduating in four years can save you time and money — but if you need more time, that’s okay too. Just be intentional — I wouldn’t want you to spend more money than you have to for your bachelor’s degree.

How to Choose a College Major #2: Career Paths

Let’s talk long-term. You may already have a job or industry in mind — or maybe not. Either way, here’s the truth: most jobs don’t require a specific major.

Employers usually care more about your experience and skills than your major. For example, I majored in Sociology, which is very broad. At UCLA, a lot of sociology majors were pre-law because the major focuses on reading, writing, and critical thinking — skills that law schools like. But law schools don’t require a specific major. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree with a solid GPA and take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), you’re eligible to apply.

Same thing for med school. You don’t need a specific major — just certain prerequisites like biology, chemistry, math, and physics, plus the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Some students major in biology to knock out the prereqs efficiently, but I’ve met Sociology majors who were also pre-med and handled their science classes over summer or at community college.

If you’re looking into careers like school counselor, therapist, social worker, or school psychologist — you also don’t need a specific undergrad major. But you’ll want to check if grad programs require certain classes or entrance exams.

That said, some careers do require specific degrees — like nursing, accounting, or teaching (depending on the state). So do your research and always check in with a college or career counselor!

If you’re not planning on grad school and want to start working after college (which is totally valid!), look into roles you’re interested in and see what qualifications they ask for. Don’t just aim for the dream job right away — it’s more realistic to start with an entry-level position in that field. Then build your way up.

And don’t sleep on the power of experience. During college, build your resume with internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, clubs, research, or even personal projects. I know someone who graduated in global studies and another in geography and they both work in finance, one is an analyst for pensions and the other in commercial real estate for a bank. I know sociology grads who broke into tech by showing off a project portfolio during interviews — proving they could do the work, even without a tech degree. Another sociology graduate I knew would volunteer doing tax through VITA Free Tax Prep Service to get her foot in the door to become an accountant. Then there is also my friend who majored in environmental science who does clinical research for a hospital because of his experience doing research in undergrad and doing hours at the hospital. You don’t need to major in something to break into the field — you need to show you can do the work.

Experience also helps with networking and references — which matter a lot. I had a friend who volunteered at a hospital for months, and after graduating, they hired him for a full-time research position. No clinical degree — just experience and consistency.

How to Choose a College Major: Final Thoughts

This is the advice I wish someone gave me. A lot of people stress over choosing the “perfect” major, but it’s just one piece of your story. What you do with your time, how you build your experience, and who you meet along the way matter way more.

Yes, some majors align more directly with jobs (like education or nursing). But most don’t lock you in or limit your income forever. I know people who majored in geography and now work in finance. I know sociology majors doing accounting, tech, and policy work. Your degree just shows you can learn — your experience shows what you can do.

And if you change your mind later? That’s okay too. Lots of people pivot careers. You’re not stuck.

At the end of the day, you’re not behind. You’re not late. And you don’t have to have it all figured out. Just stay curious, stay consistent, and build as you go. You got this!

Also, don’t forget to always check in with an academic counselor and ask about what comes after college — or pop into the career hub on your campus. The earlier, the better. So many students wait until senior year to get started, but building your experience takes time — remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Plus, you’re already paying for those resources through tuition and fees, so please take advantage of them while you’re still in undergrad. You might even come across some services or opportunities that could truly benefit you.

Disclaimer: This blog is based on personal experience and is intended for informational and motivational purposes only. I’m not a licensed college advisor, and your academic or career decisions should be made in consultation with your school counselor or trusted mentor.

If you like this blog post about how to choose a college major, check out my other blog post that can help you thrive in college!