Students consider long-term goals when choosing career
PDF Choosing a major is a huge commitment for some students because of the time and money that goes into their studies.
Career outlook and financial potential are growing concerns of students during the past few years when choosing a major, said Jaime Conley, career services specialist at the Career Services office.
“Many students are only focused on the financial aspects of a job; they come into school saying they want to pursue a career just because it is high paying,” she said. “It is important to choose a major that is of interest to you. Otherwise you will be miserable out there in the working world.”
Occupations in education, healthcare, law enforcement, science and the trades are five of 10 career paths that have the most potential for job placement, according to the Careers and Colleges website. Jaime Conley, career services specialist at the Career Services office, said choosing a major based on job placement should not be the only concern for students. She said students should also choose one they are interested in. Isaac Smith | Daily Egyptian
Conley said most students have a wide variety of interests and choosing a versatile major is best because it leads to more career options. She said students should keep in mind what fields’ people retire out of and what jobs are more prominent in today’s culture.
Job availability is split equally between technological fields such as computer sciences and engineering and service careers such as education and communications, according to the Careers and Colleges website.
Colleen Fielmann, an undecided freshman from Schaumburg, said it is difficult to try and make a decision that will affect the rest of one’s life.
“On one hand, you want to do something you love, something that sets you apart from the average person,” she said. “On the other hand, you want to be able to provide for yourself and your family.”
Fielmann said choosing a major that does not have a good occupational outlook sets yourself up for failure.
“Why do it if there is a slim chance of success?” she said.
Justin Seibt, a freshman from Auburn studying radio-television, said financial stability was the most important factor when he chose his major.
“Even though the career field I am entering does not have a lot of job opportunities, I know that I am passionate and driven enough to make it happen,” he said.
According to JobWeb – a website that offers free information and career advice for recent college graduates – a student should take their interests and use that to choose a relating major. As their college careers go on, classes will become more specific and it will be easier to identify career possibilities.
Bryce Webster, a sophomore from Woodstock studying psychology, said his personal interests rose above everything else when it came to choosing his major.
“It is way more important to be happy than to have a lot of money,” he said.
