I was able to facetime my older brother over Easter weekend to catch up since the last time we spoke and talk about the ending of another school year. While we were facetiming we were able to discuss a lot of different and random topics. However, one question that shifted the focus of the entire conversation was when he asked me if I was enjoying my major or not. My family and I have been through a few disagreements about what we felt I would best major in. However, even though I am a sophomore and am now set to graduate with a business/economics degree, I still wonder about how different it would've been for me to pursue a different major. I told my brother the concerns I had with working towards a major that I didn't actually have any interest in pursuing after college. Even though, my brother has heard me talk about potentially switching my major way more than necessary, he was more thoughtful and receptive this time around. I think it was because he knew that if I wanted to actually switch my major, I would have to do it quick because I wasn't a freshman who had time to explore my options anymore. After expressing all my worries about my major to him, I could tell my brother was shocked that I could tie so many different, seemingly unrelated areas of my life into what I should make my major. After a moment of pause, I asked him what he thought I should do. He simply looked at me through the camera and told me that sometimes, when we are given opportunities to do something we don't want to do that we can learn the most from these situations. He said that sometimes from being in situations that could leave us feeling that we don't belong are the ones that could show us where we actually do belong. After he said that, I thought about how absorbed I had become with not enjoying my major that it made it hard to appreciate aspects of my major that I knew I could like if I hadn't been as adamant before. I think that it was an especially good reminder to have before going into registration this week because it helped give me a sense of peace before deciding on which classes to take for my junior year.
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Sydney,
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to switching majors and wondering if it was something you wanted. I actually mentally changed what I was interested in 4 times freshman year. From pre-med to Spanish to harp pedagogy in the conservatory to elementary ed...to end in bus/econ. All of those other things still interest me very much, and I'm minoring in Spanish. However, I cannot choose to look back and decide what I want now in the future. Sure there may be some classes (or electives I can only get into) that I'm not thrilled about but I see it as a way to challenge myself. Also, if cost isn't an issue..its not too late to change a major and take a 5th year or even an extra semester! If its really something you do not enjoy, don't graduate with this degree. It is important to see the possible job opportunities that come from this major that might interest you (or lack thereof) and being stuck with a major and jobs offers you're not interested in is not worth it!
I recently had a similar experience, although it was slightly different. Instead of switching majors, I was wrestling with the idea of adding an additional major on to my course load. Philosophy or Physics of all majors. I eventually reasoned to just remain with my current major. Part of this reasoning included the fact that I can still pursue these topics in their own manner after I graduate. For philosophy, I can always read a book that challenges my mind. Physics would be a little more difficult but there's no reason why I can't continue to be enthralled by it. I found I enjoyed these areas for their own sake but also because I was good at them. I have the skills to do them. These skills, however, are not exclusive to these two majors, but can be applied anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThis must happen to everyone! Business-Econ feels so broad that it can be tough to decide what we actually want to do when we graduate. At the same time, for a lot of businesses most learning occurs on the job. A college degree is largely used by employers as a benchmark to ensure that candidates meet a minimum threshold of mental ability and work ethic, rather than industry-specific knowledge. Some things certainly transfer over better than others, of course. A biology degree is a far better pre-requisite in medical research than a French degree. One thing that I like to keep in mind is that Eugene Fama was a history major, and became one of the premier scholars in the finance field!
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I declared Business/Economics last semester and am starting to regret it. However, it would be very difficult to make a significant switch in my major at this point. I definitely agree that it's easy to become so wrapped up in the idea that one dislikes one's major that it is nearly impossible to notice that there are likable aspects of said major. To be honest, this is something I am still really wrestling with, but it was definitely helpful to read your perspective; you had some really great insights!
ReplyDeleteSyd! This is a great view point of focusing in on what you want. I hope you pick a major that best suits you and what you want to do going forward. I think everyone goes through doubts about what they want to do during their freshman and sophomore year. There is an unspoken pressure on underclassmen to stick to the major they picked coming in because they think that if they switch their whole purpose of going to college is thrown out. However, college is where we figure out what we want to do and then pursue mastering it.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a Business Economics major! However, I think finding out what you're passionate about is the most important thing because you want to enjoy whatever you do in the future for the rest of your life since most of your time will be spent at your job. I hope you can find something you are passionate about because it's never too late.
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