Students who are undecided about their college major and career path often feel a mixture of anxiety and confusion as they face what is, for many, one of their first major life choices. So, whether you are a college student who has not declared a major or a high school student trying to decide on your post-secondary plans, here are five questions that every undecided student should ask.
5 Questions Every Undecided Student Should Ask
1. Who is my support system while I’m figuring out my college major and career path?
This may seem like an odd question to begin with, but relationships are a key (maybe THE key) aspect of this process. We were not meant to find our path alone. This is more than the typical “networking” advice; this is about identifying role models, gaining wisdom from those with more experience, and seeking help as you identify your own strengths and weaknesses. Here are two practical steps you can take to develop a support system while you figure out your college major and career path.
First, ask three people in your life to give you some honest insights into your gifts and abilities. Taking a career test should not be your only way to figure out your strengths. In a previous blog, I explained that career tests can be a small side dish in the process of career advising, but they can’t be the main course.
Second, develop your Personal Board of Advisors. This group of people will provide advice, encouragement, and guidance as you navigate our career paths. Here are some things you might say about your personal board of advisors.
Personal Board of Advisors Characteristics:
- “They are working in a career I’m interested in pursuing.”
- “I want to be like them when I’m older.”
- “They have so much wisdom, character, and experience.”
- “They share my values.”
- “They would potentially give me career advice by meeting with me or talking on the phone.”
2. How can I take my career interests for a test drive?
This is all about taking action. When trying to find your path in life, it is easy to stay in the comfortable hypothetical headspace. You may find yourself searching online for the best college majors and careers, or scanning through an endless list of possible majors, minors, and double majors.
How Working At a Summer Camp Helped Change My Career Direction
I started my college education as an elementary education major. On paper, I had declared a major, but in reality, I was an undecided student trying to look like I knew what I was doing. I did, however, have an interest in teaching and working with students, so I picked elementary education.
Then summer camp happened.
As the camp counselor, I was placed in charge of 25 third-grade boys. It was an overnight camp and each group had its own cabin, so I had to sleep in the same cabin as the campers. Every night, for two months, my sleep was delayed by a camper making a farting noise, followed by a roar of laughter, followed by me yelling for quiet, followed by another cycle of farting noises, laughter, and scolding, not to mention the occasional times that kid sheepishly approached me to admit that he wet the bed.
It really wasn’t as bad as I’m making it sound. However, when I returned to college after that summer break, the first thing I did was change my major from elementary to secondary education.
Take your career interests for a test drive. This could mean a summer job, a part-time job, volunteering, an internship, or even just shadowing someone at work. Whatever it takes, find a way to try out some of the tasks that you would be asked to perform in your field of interest.
3. What are my gifts?
Gifts are your unique design. It’s your natural abilities, strengths, and personality. For many people, identifying their own gifts can be one of the most difficult aspects of finding their path. Answering a simple question like, “What are you good at?” can seem overwhelming or confusing. This is why many people are undecided about their college major and career path. They do not know their own gifts.
Knowing how you are uniquely gifted is one of the keys to finding a career you will love and that will support your financial needs.
People will only pay you if you have the ability to bring value to them. So what are your strengths and abilities? What are some abilities that come naturally to you? Think about some things that others seem to struggle with, but are relatively easy for you. You want to have a growth mindset and develop your strengths over time, but leaning into your natural strengths will benefit you exponentially. If you want help identifying your gifts, check out the Find Your Path Program.
4. What are my passions?
Your passions are your interests and values. Your passions will reveal what is ultimately important to you. You not only want to find a job that you can excel in— you want to find a career that is genuinely interesting to you. This will allow you to stick with this career for the long haul. Taking some time to articulate your passions will help direct your path towards a meaningful career.
5. What are some college majors and career paths that align with my gifts and passions?
Once you have identified your gifts and passions, it is now time to find college majors and career paths that align with your gifts and passions. What is true but not always obvious to students is that there is not just ONE career that will fit your gifts and passions. So identify a few options, then gain insights from your Board of Advisors, and then take action by taking your career interests for a test drive.
