Page 289 - Keys to College Success

A recent study by the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Work-
force echoes Singletary’s call to think and research before choosing a major. The study’s
authors encourage students to “do their homework before picking a major because,
when it comes to employment prospects and compensation, not all college degrees are
created equal.” It shows that rates of employment are often tied to majors, for better
3
or for worse. For example: 4
■ Architecture majors currently have a high rate of unemployment, due to the the
recession’s deleterious effect on home building and other construction.
■ Because education and health care industries are among the most stable at this
time, students who major in related areas experience some of the lowest unem-
ployment rates.
10 ■ Concentrations and specializations can make a difference. For example, although
CHAPTER business majors tend to have a low rate of unemployment, those with a concen-
tration in hospitality have higher unemployment reflecting the current reduced
spending in tourism.
No one would suggest that you declare a major that you can’t stand simply to
increase your chances of making a living—a reward that may not be worth it in the
long run. What’s important is to make career potential one of several significant factors
in your decision-making process.
Taking a practical approach to declaring a major can help you avoid feeling
overwhelmed. Think of it as a long-term goal made up of multiple actions or steps
(short-term goals) that begin with knowing yourself, exploring academic options,
and establishing your academic schedule. Start the process now, even if you don’t
need to declare right away, so that you can give this life-changing decision the time
it deserves.

Examine Strengths, Interests, and Talents
Considering what you like and what you do well can lead to a fulfilling area of study.
In addition, when you focus on an area that involves your interests and talents, you are
likely to have a positive attitude and perform at your highest level, both at school and
in the workplace.
Like Dan, many students initially don’t know what feels right, and often discover
their majors—and/or careers—through chance and risk-taking. Multi-millionaire
author J.K. Rowling, for example, earned a degree in
French in college and worked in research as well as at
several other jobs. Raising her daughter alone after a
divorce and struggling to make ends meet, she risked
working on a book idea she had come up with several
years before. Her books about student wizard Harry
Potter became the best-selling book series in history. The
reward was, and continues to be, significant.
Because who you are as a learner relates closely to
who you are as a worker, results from learning assess-
ments provide clues in the search for the right career. For
example, the Multiple Intelligences assessment points to
information about your natural strengths and chal-
lenges, which can lead you to careers that involve these
strengths. Look at Key 10.2 to see how those intelli-
gences may link up with various careers.
The Personality Spectrum assessment is equally sig-
Taking courses in an area of interest can help you see how well a nificant, because it focuses on how you work best with
major or a career in this area might suit you. These students get others, and career success often depends on your ability
hands-on experience in respiratory therapy as well as advice from to function in a team. Key 10.3 links the four dimen-
an experienced instructor.
sions of the Personality Spectrum to career ideas and

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