The excitement of high school graduation is unbearable, but at the same time, it is time to pick a major to pursue as a career. Some people know what they want even before high school graduation. Others, including myself, are clueless about the major. It is worth noting that a major is not a career path in itself. You have to figure out how to get from A to B. Plus, we change our minds all the time. The bottom line is that there is no linear path to getting where you want to be. The only way to find out about your career path is to walk it.

Some colleges offer courses on careers, which I don’t recommend. You have to do all research and documentation by yourself. They would have you take the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) test. MBIT is designed to figure out your personality. Then follow with a recommended list of careers based on your result. For example, if you are an extrovert and counselor, etc. The test is free to take, but you might need to pay for the result. Don’t worry too much about the result. I suggest that you take notes when taking the test. Each question will ask you to reflect on your actions and thoughts. If you take note of your answers, it will give you enough clues to reflect on you see yourself. 

Most US universities or community colleges offer free education counseling to help you with your education plan. They might not have all the answers, but you can ask them about your indecisive career path. They have a lot of resources that can point you in the right direction from the guide books and websites.

In addition, a search engine like Google, Bing, and Yahoo is your best friend in finding out anything. There are also forums and websites to seek more information: Quora, BestColleges, and BigFuture CollegeBoard. Keep in mind context. Everyone’s situation and story are different, so take time to learn and dig deep. Only you know what is best for you.

In the US, there is a school system, which designs specifically for the state. For example, in California, there are California State University and the University of California. These universities divide into different names based on location, such as the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University East Bay, etc. These schools offer a one-stop shop website called “Assist” to help you plan your education. Assist is the official course transfer and articulation system for California’s public colleges and universities. It helps to determine what you need to complete to reach where you want to go.

The public schools in the states are different from one state to another. If you plan to go to school in California, State University and the University of California only welcome a first bachelor’s degree, except for some degrees like nursing or medical degree. In some cases, you can’t change the major after two years because they might not have your second choice. Be mindful of that. It can save you time and money.

We all want to get it right at the first attempt, but that’s not the case. Things hardly ever go as planned. Some students decide to change their major from one to another throughout the school year. If you are not 100% sure about your major, you need to let the school know and seek help because it is frustrating and stressful.

Life is not linear and competition with others. Remember, you can switch from one career to another without a degree. There are certifications and bootcamps with online options. Just remember to surround yourself with the right persons and support, including leaving things that hold you down.

Be prepared financially and emotionally because you will make mistakes along the way. Don’t compare yourself with others. Take your time to figure out the real you and what you want. That’s what matters.

Resources:

• Niche connects people to their future school, neighborhood and job
• What should I major in? by GoShen College
• Career plan by MIT
• How to change career when you have no idea what to do next

Happy learning and good luck!