In college you will be constantly
asked questions. How did you interpret this text? What theories could you apply
here? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? And
all sort of very important questions like that. One of the most loaded
questions I get is “What are you going to do with THAT degree?” I am a speech communications
major and although I believe speech communications is great, for some strange
reason nobody shares this mindset. I mean it’s not like when I graduate I will have
a speech job at some communication factory somewhere. Things are very up for
interpretation in relation to my future and, although I am a planner, I for
some reason am ok with this.
I have
changed my major 4 times since the beginning of my college career, but in so
many ways I think that’s what college is about. Don’t let people lie to you,
college is not about getting good grades or even about declaring your major (although
these things are great and beneficial after college). College is about figuring
out who you are and what you are passionate about. If you are passionate about
people and culture, like me, don’t major in something where you have to meticulously
work with machines. It might be a good idea, however, to major in something that
deals with communicating with those people or more completely understanding
their culture. You may major in something that does not give you job security
after you graduate, but if you major in something you are passionate about you
will not suffer through school to get out and only realize you now hate your
CAREER as much as you hated your classes. Remember that college is about
finding YOURSELF. Don’t spend your time trying to make everyone else happy by
choosing this or that major. Spend your time figuring out yourself. Start now!
If you are like I was and have no idea where to start my advice is use your
resources. At UT Tyler we have an amazing career counseling service out of our
Student Counseling center. You take a test about what you want to do with your
life, and they help you interpret the results. There are also online tests that
can help you figure it out. If that doesn’t work you can look at strength quest. Strength quest is an assessment that focuses on you and what your
strengths are. If you are not somebody who likes assessments and everything I just
mentioned sounds terrible, then I suggest you start living your life and figure
it out. You’ll figure it out sooner or later I’m sure. I mean I did and after
moving past the 4 major changes I think I am pretty
successful!
