How to Help Your Teen Choose the Right College Major
Choosing a college major is one of a teen’s most important decisions. In many ways, it can set a teenager on a path toward either success or failure in life. What can you do as a parent to help your teen? The following five suggestions will offer insight into how you can help your kid choose the best college major.
Explore Interests and Passions
First, help your teen pinpoint what interests them. If your teen can reflect on subjects they enjoy or are passionate about – often a good indicator of interest and talent – you’re well on your way. It’s not just that your teen needs to be good at what they study; rather, they must enjoy what they are about to study for the next four years. For instance, a teen who loves video games and is a techie might look into game design, computer programming, or graphic design. If they love gaming but also have great writing skills, they should consider narrative writing. While studying, they can even write essays for money to polish their skills and help other learners out. Either way, help your teen talk through hobbies and school subjects to see which majors fit.
Consider Career Opportunities
Even if your teen is going to study what they love, don’t forget the practical side of a potential major. Research together what careers various majors can lead to and look at the job market for those career paths. Talk to your teen about the trade-off between passion and the real world, specifically in terms of job availability and salary expectations. Consult resources such as the Bureau of Labour Statistics, including job outlook and industry growth information that your teen might find helpful in making their decision.
Evaluate Strengths and Skills
Some teens will know exactly what they like but not so much what they are good at. Help your teen figure out their strengths and skills and how these might translate into a college major and an eventual career. For example, an analytical teen with a strong interest in the environment might enjoy and excel in environmental science or policy. Careers assessment tests, or even personality tests, can offer insight into the types of jobs and work environments that might be best suited to your teen.
Experience and Exposure
Real-world experience can really sway your teen’s choice of major. Encourage your teen to do internships, try their hand at dissertation writing services, find part-time work, or volunteer in an area they are interested in. This will enrich college applications and give your teen a sense of what working in a certain field might be like. Volunteering at a hospital can help a teen determine if they want to be a nurse or physician, but the experience can also lead them in an entirely different direction. That’s OK, too.
Decision-Making Support
Choosing a major isn’t something your teen has to navigate alone. Here’s how you can help:
- Be a Listener: Always be ready to listen and provide thoughtful advice when they need it.
- Suggest Resources: Encourage discussions with guidance counselors who can offer professional insights.
- Promote Exploration: Recommend attending college fairs and talking to students from various majors to broaden their perspectives.
- Reassure Flexibility: Remind them that switching majors is common as their interests and knowledge develop.
These steps can make the process less daunting and more manageable for your teen.
Setting the Course for the Future
The road to finding the perfect college major is as important as the destination. As you help your teen explore interests, consider career paths, assess strengths, gain real-world exposure, and make decisions about college majors, your goal might be to help them choose a major that will lead to a satisfying career and/ or the one that fits with who they are. The real goal is to help them make a decision they’re excited about and will commit to doing the work to achieve. Keep this a collaborative, supportive exploration that will set your teen up for college and life success!
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