Ten Things to Consider When Choosing A California College Major

There are a lot of things to consider before going to a California college, and choosing your major is extremely critical as it will help keep you focused on graduating. The major you choose will also influence the rest of your life and the profession you enter after graduation. You want to make sure you take the time to consider all of your options so that you find the right college and the right major. Below are a number of things to consider before you choose your major at a California college.

1. Are you choosing your major for yourself or for someone else?
   Many students graduating high school are often influenced by their parents or others, when it comes to what they should choose to major in at a California college. While this may be good advice, students still need to consider if the major truly interests them. The degree which a student graduates will have a strong influence on what jobs a person can obtain, so make sure that you are on board with what you choose for a California college major as it will have a big impact on your life.
2. Have you spoken to someone majoring in the subject you have interest, or someone working in the field?
   If you want to attend culinary school in California to become a great chef, then you should talk to people in school or in the field to get a better perspective on the training and profession. It is very important that you get a sense of what you are getting into so you stay committed to your goal of graduating college. Regardless of what you choose to major in at a California college, you should do the research by speaking with people already in school for that major or working in the profession that interests you.
3. What is the expected workload and job outlook for the profession that interests you?
   If you major in accounting and want to eventually become a CPA, you should learn about their workload throughout the year and the future outlook for the profession. Just because you think something is interesting, it does not mean that you will want to do it as a profession. The best way to find out is to do some research on what will be expected of you when you get into the career you want. No matter what you choose as your major, you should have a long term goal about what job this will help you obtain.
4. What are your motivations for your college major?
   Do you want to major in nursing so you can graduate and get into a field to help people? Do you want to study criminal justice so you can become a lawyer and make a lot of money? You need to look at what your motivations are so that you choose a college major that matches your future goals. Some people are focused on money, whereas others are focused on happiness, and some people want a little of both. You might consider reading a book like "What Color is Your Parachute" to help you better understand your true motivations.
5. What is the earning potential of the job your major will help you obtain?
   Money is not everything, but most people do need a certain amount of money to live a decent lifestyle in the United States. Depending on what city you reside, the cost of living might be a bit higher so that should be factored into your decision. If you go to a California college in San Francisco and plan to work in the area after graduation, you should consider how much money you will earn and where it will allow you to live in the city. You also do not want to graduate and jump into a job with no idea of the earning potential, or you might end up working for less than you are worth. It is best to prepare yourself with as much information as possible so you make smart decisions about your educational future.
6. What interests you in life?
   Many famous people are known for telling others to pursue something which they have a passion for, and the money will fall into place. If there is something you already do as a hobby or a certain charity which you like helping, then you might see if there is a way to turn your interest into a career. People that have always been fascinated with computers, often major in computer science as it is a way for them to continue to pursue their passion. If you like traveling, you might consider majoring in international business which will help you land a career where you travel as part of your job. You should write down all of the things that interest you most in life and see if you can map your top interests to a major, which will lead to a career.
7. What are you already good at in life?
   Some people are naturally good at math, science, or English, but that does not mean that they want to do it as a profession. However, some people often realize that they already enjoy a subject in school which they excel, and see that as an opportunity to choose a major which will lead to a career. If you have always been good at a subject throughout life, then you should see if there is a way to parlay that into a major which will help you obtain a job which you will enjoy.
8. What are your values and personality?
   If you are an outgoing person that was raised in a very liberal family, then you might want to consider certain majors which will lead to jobs that match your values and personality. People who have more conservative values typically will factor that into their major and choose something that will be a great long-term fit within their value system. It is best to be true to yourself when picking a major so you do not have to evaluate things again in the future if you make a bad choice when attending a California college.
9. What California colleges offer this major?
   Once you decide what you want to major in at a college in California, you then need to do the research to determine which schools offer the major you seek. You will also need to compare these schools and decide which one makes the most sense for you. Research if one of the California colleges that interests you is well known for your major, so you can have all the facts before deciding on a school.
10. How much will it cost?
    After you choose a California college, you should review all of the costs involved and determine if you can pay for school. You need to factor in money that you and your family can contribute, in addition to grants and loans which you can obtain. It is best not to get your hopes up for a particular college if you cannot afford to pay for it through your graduation day.