When you know what you want to do for a career, it often makes it easier to choose where to
attend college. Some students pick a college first and then pick their major and classes
they take. This method may work out, but is not ideal.
If you already know what field you will major in head over to the “Pick a College” page. If
not, let’s start by finding out what interests you.
Interest/Skills Profile
There are several places that can help you find career paths that interest you. Helpful tests
and profiles at these sites will aid you in choosing your major. Sometimes you pick a major
by simply talking about things that interest you. Let’s say you like working with computers
and enjoy landscaping. This may lead to you examining more about becoming a landscape architect.
Internships
You’ve now talked about your interests or taken the Skills Profiler and have some ideas on what
you might like to do, but nothing is set in stone. How might you decide if you like a career
path or major? Two words: Try it! Internships are a great way to meet people in a career field
you have interest in. You can get their thoughts and get some hands on experience to see if you
like what you are doing. You may find out that you really don’t like it and that’s okay.
Try something else.
Course Catalogs
Another way to help you pick a major is to download a course catalog from a college you are thinking
about attending. Look through some of the courses and degree plans they offer. You might see something
that catches your eye. Continue researching fields that relate to that class or group of classes you
find interesting.
Ultimately, what you major in is going to come down to what you are really good at, what you want to
do, or both.
Always remember if you have a question about anything on this site, feel free to
drop us a note at outreach@ismloans.org
and we’ll be happy to answer or elaborate on an item that is confusing or unclear.