The Commerce Times

A Major Problem

Choosing your business major is a tough decision. Courtesy of Amanda Hutteri.

March 14, 2010 0 | By Jaskrit Dua

“What do I want to be when I grown up?” is a question that follows and haunts students from the day they start kindergarten, to perhaps even the day they throw their graduating caps to the sky. Choosing a major for university is one of the hardest decisions faced by students, as it sets the course of action of their lives. Ironically, most of the students who graduate in their respective fields find themselves not even working in them. In this fast-evolving society, it is fairly common for people to change their careers multiple times throughout their lives. So if you find yourself stuck in a state of limbo about your future goals, don’t be alarmed. Here are a few tips you may utilize to help you with your decision.

First, try to make your decision based on what you like. The satisfaction from attaining the fruits of your loved labour is very fulfilling.  If you don’t know what you like, make a list of possibilities and outline your strengths that will help you in that career, followed by your weaknesses that might hinder you.

The best advice that one can give is to pursue the things you are good at. If you’re the type of person who always likes to keep things organized, and think in a straightforward and logical manner, look for an educational path that focuses on those characteristics, for example programming or even accounting. However, if your strengths are creativity and ‘outside of the box‘ thinking, a position in marketing would be a good career path to focus on.

When asking questions, it’s best to direct your questions to the right people. One of the reasons professors get paid their ‘fair’ share, is because of the experience they accumulate in their fields, along with their academic success. These are the people who were once in the same shoes as you a few decades earlier, so they know how you feel. Ask professors questions about the fields they’re in as they know more about it than anybody else. They will help you and guide you towards your goal.

If you ever wonder why the school tuition is so high, the answer is the extensive resources that it provides. There are numerous online tests that assist students in finding where their interests lie. Optimax is a personality and career-oriented online test provided by the ITM program for the first year students helps affirm their decision in the program. There are numerous other sources provided as well, such as the many events hosted by the clubs around the campus, as well as featured guest lecturers who provide insight on the evolving workplace.

As Morpheus once said to Neo,there is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. Chances are, that whatever you decide to major in, you will be facing many challenges requiring you to be versatile. If you feel uneasy about the decision you made, don’t worry, everyone goes through that phase. The best plan of action is to use your time at post-secondary school to learn to be analytical, a skill that will open new vistas and broaden your horizons.