Types of Majors – GradPlan

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Types of Majors

Majors that will lead to careers you’ve heard of and some you haven’t

One big change from high school to college is the freedom to choose what you want to study! While exciting, this can feel overwhelming because there are so many options. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember there are lots of resources to help you select a major and you can change your major if the one you select isn’t a good fit. Consider talking to a mentor, visiting your Career Center, or meeting with your academic advisor to discuss how your interests and learning styles pair with potential majors.

 

To learn more about unique options for your future career possibilities check out the major list below.

Arts

Arts aren’t just limited to painting, drawing, and singing. The arts range from the music industry to visual arts, performing arts, or even management.

If you are more interested in studying how art and music change depending on major world events, consider a career in art/music/theater history.

If innovation is your passion but you love the arts, you can study art technology, digital arts, architecture or technical theater.

Consider these Majors

  • Architecture
  • Art history
  • Arts Entertainment
  • Digital Arts
  • Fashion/Apparel Design
  • Film Studies
  • Interior Design
  • Media Management
  • Music History, Literature, and Theory
  • Musical Theater
  • A Specific Instrument
  • Technical Theater
  • Theater Design and Technology

Science

Science majors aren’t just for those who are interested in the medical field, although a lot of pre-med students do tend to major in a science-related field.

If you have a natural curiosity for the world around you, the body, health sciences, and functionality then this might be an area of study for you!

Yes, you can do the traditional chemistry major, or nursing but if you’re not interested in health sciences or more interested in the universe, there are a bunch of options for you including astronomy.

Maybe you are curious about how the body can get stronger, then kinesiology, sports medicine, and nutrition may be for you. There are even majors for physical therapists who can train and support athletes.

Consider these Majors

  • Agricultural Science
  • Astronomy
  • Botany
  • Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
  • Criminal Science/Forensics
  • Entomology
  • Food/Nutrition Science
  • Genetics
  • Geology
  • Kinesiology
  • Oceanology
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sports Medicine

Business Related Majors

Ok, so what exactly does it mean to be in a business program? You can approach business-related majors from many angles, including accounting, economics, finance, management, operations, marketing, and more!

But what does it mean?

If you’re someone who loves logistics, planning, budgeting, and designing processes to keep things running smoothly, business- operations might be a good fit for you.

If you are interested in money management, stocks, trading, and the possibility of helping people reach their financial goals, then business finance may be for you.

If you are interested in getting people excited about something, using creativity and problem-solving, consider marketing.

Consider these Majors

  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Business Statistics
  • Construction Management
  • Economics
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Finance
  • Hospitality Administration
  • Human Resources
  • International Business
  • Marketing
  • Meeting and Event Planning
  • Social Media Manager

Liberal arts, Social Sciences, and Language related majors

If none of the majors above match your vibe, there are more communication and humanitarian-based majors.

If you are a change-maker invested in helping humanity and the current state of the world, social sciences, anthropology, or social justice might be an area of interest for you.

Majors like Africana studies, social work, and linguistics can help you tackle issues of diversity and inclusion if this is something you are passionate about.

Library science is a major and career that most people don’t consider, but if you’re passionate about literature and how people communicate, this may be a major you may want to consider.

Consider these Majors

  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • City/Urban Planning
  • Communication
  • Criminology
  • Education
  • Education Administration
  • Environmental Studies
  • Ethnic and Gender Studies
  • Foreign Language and Literature
  • Geography
  • International Studies
  • Library Science
  • Linguistics
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Social Welfare/Justice
  • Sociology

Engineering, Technology and Math

If math has always been your thing, a career in math, engineering or technology may be for you.

If you love patterns, logic, and math, look into becoming an analyst. You can also combine your math skills with science to study careers like mechanical engineering.

If you have a passion for math, science, and technology careers like bioengineering and chemical engineering might be something in your wheelhouse.

If you are interested in aircrafts and their mechanics, consider a career like aeronautics.

Consider these Majors

Consider these Majors

  • Aeronautics/Astronautics
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Automotive Mechanics Technology
  • Bioengineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Data Analyst
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mathematics Statistics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Technical Communication/Tech Writing

Not all majors are tied to specific careers. In other words, you don’t have to major in business to work at a business when you graduate.

You can change your major at any time. Making a change when you are farther in your studies may add additional time to earn your degree,  but if you are not loving your classes, talk with an advisor to explore your options.

Not all schools have all majors. If you’re not sure what you want to major in, attend a school that offers several majors you are interested in. And if you think you are sure, remember it’s always good to have options!

Keep Exploring. There are WAY more majors than listed in this article, learn about more majors and connect with others to learn about how they picked their major.

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"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."

Malcolm X, human rights activist