by Jolyn DiTanna
Brewer, L.M.H.C.
There is only one
appropriate major for each career field.
Many
careers have been sought after by people from a variety of majors. Unconvinced? Go to any work setting and ask the
employees about their academic training. You will most likely receive a variety
of answers. As you begin to research career fields, you will see that many
majors will lead you along similar paths. As a student at Colorado School of
Mines, you’ve already selected a relatively narrow educational course – that of
science and engineering. However, there
still is crossover between majors and careers.
For example, petroleum companies hire mechanical engineers, and mining
engineers can work in the construction industry as well as the mining industry.
I can take a test that
will tell me what major is best for me.
This statement implies that
an outside source, such as a test can predict what is best for you. Only you
are the expert about yourself. Interest inventories, personality indicators and
the like may serve as tools to gather and organize information about yourself,
but only you can supply the answers as to what is best for you. If you are
interested in gathering this type of data about yourself, contact Student
Development and Academic Services at 303.273.3377 and
schedule an appointment with a counselor who can administer the Myers Briggs
Type Indicator and/or the Strong Interest Inventory.
I should pick a field
that is hot because it will guarantee me a job in the future. There are several problems with this statement. First
of all, what is "hot" today will not necessarily be "hot"
in two, four, five or more years when you complete your program. Yes, there are
reputable resources which make predictions about the job market. But, remember
that these are predictions only. Second, picking a "hot" career or
major without first examining your interests, values and skills may lead to personal
unhappiness and possible job dissatisfaction.
You spend a lot of your life in a work environment… pursue a career that
you enjoy or for which you have a passion!
It is not okay to be
undecided.
You probably realize that
attending a university is a significant investment in time and money and
therefore do not wish to waste either precious commodity. However, don’t fall
into the trap of making a hasty or inappropriate decision because of the fear
of the label "undecided.” At Mines,
the core curriculum usually dominates the first 2-3 semesters of a student’s
academic career. Use this time to fully
explore the different options as well as Minors and Areas of Special
Interest. Be aware, however, that the
departmental curriculum tends to differentiate significantly, therefore,
determining your major sometime during your sophomore year is highly
recommended.
The choice of a major or career is permanent. Once you make a selection you cannot change your mind.
As established with myth #1,
one major could lead to many different careers; you are not necessarily locking
yourself into one career field by the major you have chosen. Furthermore,
research has shown that people in today's society will most likely change
careers 3 to 5 times and jobs 5 to 7 times. What you choose today does not have
to dictate what you will be doing 20 years from now.
Picking a major based on advice of parents, family members and friends is most appropriate.
After all, don't they know
me best? Again, you know yourself best.
Asking important people in your family for assistance is one thing,
discounting your own interests, abilities and values because of their advice is
another. Trust yourself.