How to Choose a Major
How to Choose a Major or Training Program
Start by exploring college majors or training programs that match your Holland personality type and interests. Think of “birds of a feather fly together”! You just need to find your flock!
Decades of research with over 100,000 students show that a close personality-major match leads to,
Higher grades,
Persistence in a major, and
Higher rates of on-time graduation.
It also just makes common sense to study something that fits your personality, values, abilities and unique qualities.
Why people choose the wrong college major
Despite all the benefits of a Holland personality-major match, research shows a majority of students do not choose a major that matches their personality! It’s not all that surprising when you think about how much pressure there is from parents, family and important people to choose something that is financially beneficial. They are not wrong about financial concerns, but often they know as little as students do about the real job market.
Also, when you major in something you are not genuinely interested in - if you’re going through the motions - you will not perform well, and that translates into lower grades and lower job satisfaction and performance.
Students often lack the information they need to make an informed decision. Career Key can help with all those concerns.
There are few resources that help you accurately match your personality directly to majors and guide you through decision-making, but fortunately that’s what we do best! You’ve come to the right place.
Four Steps to a Successful College Major Choice
Step 1.
Take an accurate Holland personality and interest career assessment
Measure your strengths in 6 interest areas, called the Holland personality types or "Holland Codes": Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional
Learn about Holland’s Theory of person-environment fit and how it applies to academic environments
Career Key Discovery does both of these.
Visit our What is the best career test article for tips on how to choose one.
Step 3.
Learn as much as you can about the college majors and instructional programs you identify.
Talk to people in career fields that interest you. Discuss your questions and concerns with them. Ask them what training programs or college majors prepare people for their work. Ask them for the names of other people with whom you can talk.
Research the opportunities for studying in your areas of interest. Where are the schools or training programs located? Are there distance learning options? Entrance requirements? Cost? Graduation rate?
Talk with students and professors in a major that interests you. Ask the alumni office to refer you to graduates in that major.
Get more tips in Learn about majors and training programs.
Step 2.
Identify the college majors or instructional programs that match your strongest personality types.
Identify college majors, training programs, and compatible careers that match your dominant personality types where you will thrive in Career Key Discovery.
View a complete list in our eBook, "Match Up! Your Personality to College Majors."
Step 4.
Make a good decision. It's a life-changing choice.
Use the ACIP method of deciding. It is simple and effective. Studies show that if you follow it, you are less likely to regret your choice later.
Actually, by following the steps we have described here, you have already started using it!
Final Tips on choosing a major
Don't sell yourself short. Self-confidence plays a big role in making a career choice, in succeeding in school and at work. You can do far more than you ever imagined. Career Key’s founder Dr. Jones (Larry) who was first in his family to go to college says,
“I never dreamed that I had the ability to earn a doctorate degree, to do what I am doing. Fortunately, I met people who encouraged me; slowly I gained confidence...” (see My Story).
Associate with positive people -- people who listen; who are practical, knowledgeable, and cheerful; who will encourage you, help you.
Be an active learner, grow as a person. Use your time in school with intention. Try different experiences and volunteer activities. Read. Learn from others. Travel. Meet people different from yourself.