I meet with students every day who are terrified that they have picked the wrong major. What is worse, however, is when they are too scared to actually do anything about it. A major does not define who you are, but it can open or close certain career paths, so you want to make sure you choose wisely.
The first thing you should do if you are worried that you have picked the wrong major is relax. It is okay; it is better to change your major now than try to change careers later.

The best way to decide if you’ve chosen the right major is to talk to other people who also picked that major and are in their careers.

Since the job market changes so rapidly I find it helpful to talk to recent graduates or people who have been in their job a maximum of 10 years. People love to give their advice and you’ll be surprised how many people will want to talk to you. You can find these people through your personal connections, by searching for your major on LinkedIn, or browsing Facebook profiles of people in your College’s Facebook group (sometimes they keep who likes the page private, but all you have to do is click on a “112 people like this” link and you can start browsing through those 112 for someone with your major). Two of the best and most accessible places to find them will be through your college’s career center or alumni network. I recommend connecting with at least 5 professionals who also chose your current major.

Once you have a meeting set up with them, you are ready to ask questions. These questions come in two parts. The first part is what you should ask people who majored in your subject. The second part is what you need to ask yourself immediately upon hearing the answer.

1. How does your coursework in [insert major here] relate to your current job?
Do you like your core classes?

The answer to this question will help you understand how closely connected your major choice is to a particular profession. If it is closely related, you want to look at the course titles and descriptions of the core courses for your major (in your college catalog) and ask yourself if these classes interest you. I like to read so I would always ask myself, would I read a book on this subject in my free time? I often ask my students these questions and have them rate various core classes from 1-10, 1=reading a book on that sounds like torture to 10=I would read a book on that in my free time. In 4 years there is always going to be a few classes that you’re not crazy about, but if you like your core classes you will have more motivation to get through the others. And if you hate all of your classes, then it’s time to reconsider.

2. What is your favorite part about your job?
Does this excite you?

When you ask people what they like about their job they will be happy to tell you. And when they do, you have to really listen. What is it that they find enjoyable and rewarding about this job? Is it something that excites you? Is it something that is high on your priority list of what you are looking for in a profession? Often when people tell you about their favorite part about a job and it is a job you would like to do you will feel a spark of excitement. If that is not there, keep searching.

3. What is the most challenging part of your job?
Is this a challenge you are up for?

No job is perfect and no job will perfectly capture who you are. And every job will have its challenges. But when you hear the answer to this question you want to consider if this challenge is worth the best part about the job answered in the prior question. For example, I asked these questions to a speaker/author/success coach and her favorite part of her job was making and seeing a difference in people’s lives (#1 on my priority list) and the challenge was not always having a predictable paycheck (a big challenge but one I am willing to tackle because the best part is worth getting through the worst part). This is what you are looking for. If the challenge does not seem worth it to you, then keep searching.

4. How did you get started in your profession?
Is this a path you want to take?

Everyone’s career journey will be different, but you can learn a lot about how someone in your major got started. Was it hard for them to get a job out of college? Did they have to work in a low paying internship to get their foot in the door? If so, how long? Is that something you are willing to do? Every job search in the beginning will be difficult and you will have to start low on the totem pole, however, you want to make sure you are aware of the starting point and that the end is worth it.

5. What skills and personality traits are required to be successful in this job?
Is this you?

Most people in their profession will have come to understand the type of people who do best in the industry. Listen carefully to this response because the answer is most likely what they look for in an interview. Are the skills they are looking for what you are learning in your major? Is the personality they look for similar to yours?

A major does not always perfectly connect to real-world jobs, so it is vital that you make those connections for yourself and determine whether or not you are in the right major. If, after asking these questions, you discover you have picked the right major for you, then you’ve just made some great connections for the future.

And if you discover your major is not what you thought it was, then congratulations, you have just avoided a lifetime in a job that isn’t right for you! Now start thinking about other majors that interest you and keep asking questions.
Remember: In a constantly changing world, one of the best ways to choose a path is to inquire of those who have walked before.

You might also be interested in:

1. Most overrated college choice: Your major
2. Millennial Advisor – Thoughts on Choosing a Major
3. Picking a Major: Passion or a Possible Profession?
4. If it’s my “dream” major, why am I second guessing?
5. Pick up a newspaper, for everyone’s sake