Choosing a college major is one of the most important decisions your child will make in their life.
It can be complicated and overwhelming for them, so as a parent, you should have an open dialogue with your child about the process and help guide them through it.
This post provides books and tips on approaching this conversation best and how to help your child choose a college major and decide what’s right for them.
So, What Are the Top Books to Decide on a College?
Choosing a college major can be a daunting task, but there are many books available that
can help guide you in your decision-making process. Here are some of the best books that can help you choose a college major:
“What Color Is Your Parachute? 2022: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success” by Richard N. Bolles.
This book is an all-time classic for career exploration and job hunting. It helps you to find your strengths and interests and matches them to potential career paths.
Pros:
- Provides a holistic approach to career exploration, including self-assessment exercises, job market research, and networking strategies.
- Offers practical advice on job searching, resume writing, and interviewing.
- Updated annually with the latest job market trends and statistics.
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for some readers due to the sheer volume of information and exercises.
- May not provide enough detailed information on specific college majors.
“Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
This book encourages readers to use design thinking to create a fulfilling life, including choosing a major that aligns with their passions, interests, and strengths.
Pros:
- Encourages readers to approach career exploration and major selection as a design problem, with a focus on experimentation and iteration.
- Provides actionable tools and exercises, such as the “Odyssey Plan” and “Good Time Journal,” to help readers clarify their values and priorities.
- Offers insights from successful professionals who have used the design thinking approach to build fulfilling careers.
Cons:
- May not be practical or relevant for readers who are looking for more straightforward guidance on choosing a major.
- May not provide enough detailed information on specific college majors.
“Major Decisions: A Guide to College Majors” by Terry Ward.
This book provides a comprehensive guide to college majors, including details on typical career paths, salary ranges, and tips for success in each field.
Pros:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of various college majors, including typical career paths, salary ranges, and required skills and coursework.
- Features testimonials from students and professionals in each major, providing real-world insights and advice.
- Offers guidance on how to research and evaluate potential majors.
Cons:
- May not be as in-depth or comprehensive as other resources on specific college majors.
- May not provide enough guidance on how to choose a major that aligns with your interests and strengths.
“The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Major in College” by Tim Herrera.
This book offers practical advice on how to choose a major, including self-assessment exercises, guidance on researching potential majors, and tips for making a decision.
Pros:
- Offers practical advice and actionable steps for choosing a major, such as self-assessment exercises and tips for researching potential majors.
- Provides insights and advice from college admissions officers and career counselors.
- Written in a conversational and engaging tone.
Cons:
- May not provide as much detailed information on specific college majors as other resources.
- May not be as comprehensive or in-depth as other resources on career exploration and major selection.
“Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.
This book helps readers identify their personality type and find a career or major that matches their strengths and interests.
Remember, choosing a major is a personal decision, and these books can only guide you. Ultimately, you should take the time to reflect on your passions, interests, strengths, and values, and explore various majors to find the one that is right for you.
Pros:
- Provides a unique approach to career exploration, using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to help readers identify their personality type and find compatible careers and majors.
- Offers detailed profiles of different personality types and the types of careers and majors that align with them.
- Includes practical advice on job searching and networking.
Cons:
- May not be as helpful for readers who are skeptical of personality tests or who don’t find the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to be a useful tool.
- May not provide enough information on specific college majors.
More Tips on Choosing the College Major from Experts
Start Early
As college admission experts from EduReviewer told us: “The best way to start is to talk about college majors early in high school, even as early as freshman year. This will give your child plenty of time to research different options, consider their interests and aptitudes, take relevant courses, and participate in activities related to potential majors.”
By starting early, your child can better understand the various majors available and get an idea of what they might want to pursue in college.
Determine what your child is interested in
Many students have no idea what they want to study, and that’s okay! It’s not uncommon for students to change majors during school.
You can help your child choose a major by encouraging them to explore different areas of study by asking questions like:
- Do you want to go into medicine or become an engineer?
- Do you want to teach high school or elementary school?
- What types of subjects did you enjoy in high school?
Help them identify their strengths and weaknesses
What classes did they enjoy? What were the ones they struggled with? Once you know what your child wants, you can begin narrowing down majors that might be right for them.
Having an idea of what they’re good at and what they need help with will go far in helping your student decide what degree will work best for them.
Explore Options
Encourage your child to explore all their options when it comes to college majors. They should talk with their guidance counselors or teachers at school, who may be able to provide helpful advice or point them in the right direction.
Additionally, they should look into different universities or websites that offer detailed information about each major. This will help them gain more knowledge about potential courses they may take while pursuing their chosen med major or career paths they can pursue afterward.
Also, explore different options together. You may think your child is interested in one particular subject or career path, but sometimes it’s good for them to explore other options before making a final decision. The best way for someone to decide what they want from life is by having many experiences and trying many things out before locking down an idea or career path permanently.
Make Connections
Have your child reach out and connect with people already working in the field they are interested in pursuing.
Conversations with professionals will give your student insight into what it’s like having this type of job day-to-day and whether or not it’s something they would enjoy doing long-term.
This also helps build relationships which could lead to internships or other opportunities down the line for your student once they finish college!
Take them on informational interviews with people who have the types of jobs they’re interested in learning about. Ask them how they got where they are now and what advice they would give to someone starting in their field today.
What were their most challenging experiences at work? What skills did it take for them to succeed in this career? What qualities do they think are essential for success in this career?
Encourage your child to ask questions as well! If possible, go on an informational interview so you can learn more about the field!
Talk about the realities of colleges and universities
Also, an important step is to ensure that you and your child have realistic expectations about what college will be like.
Colleges and universities are more than just places where students go to study. They are places where students can live, socialize, and develop a wide range of skills.
College is more than just taking classes and studying for tests; it’s also about learning how to live independently, manage money, and make good decisions about things like drinking alcohol responsibly.
You should help guide them
Choosing a major is a tough decision for children. They may change their mind, not be ready to make the decision, or not know what they want to do.
They may also have the wrong information about what is available, or not know enough about different subjects to make an informed choice.
You can help guide your child through this process by giving them some tips and valuable advice on how to begin choosing a major that is right for them.
Conclusion
Choosing a college major doesn’t have to be overwhelming for you or your student. By following these steps, you both can ensure that the decision is made confidently and thoughtfully.
With open communication between you both throughout this journey, you can help provide guidance that leads your child towards making an informed decision regarding their future studies when it comes time for them to choose their college major!
