Time and Expense Required
Some of the majors included in this book take longer than others to bear fruit as a career. People seeking careers in medicine, law, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and (sometimes) clergy must complete years of postgraduate study and on-the-job training to earn professional status.
These jobs tend to pay well or (in the case of clergy) have other outstanding rewards, but before you commit yourself to pursue one of these career goals, you have to be sure you have the determination and ability to go through the long preparatory process. The same is true of careers such as
college teaching that require a master’s or doctoral degree. You need to be confident that you will enjoy the major itself, not just the rewards at the
end of the road, because it will be a long road, and college tuition keeps
getting more and more expensive.
Some of the careers listed here require more than just a degree. For managerial
jobs in particular, college graduates are expected to gain some experience
in the workplace, learn the language of the industry, acquire people
skills that usually aren’t taught in college classrooms, and demonstrate their
readiness through some temporary managerial assignments. Don’t plan on a
managerial career unless you are willing to pay your dues as a management
trainee.
In some cases, a career linked to one of these majors may not actually
require four years of college. For example, this book includes Agricultural
Technicians, Food Science Technicians, Chemical Technicians, and several
other technician-level jobs that you can enter with an associate degree.
Some other jobs, such as Cost Estimators, Food Service Managers, Fish and
Game Wardens, and Sketch Artists, are open to people who have gained
work experience in related occupations or who get long-term on-the-job
training. For these jobs a college education is not always necessary, but the
degree may save you considerable time in getting ahead and may pave the
way to further advancement or career shifts not open to those who lack the
degree.
The time and expense of getting a college degree can also pay off later in
ways that have nothing to do with your career. What you have learned in
college may enable you to appreciate a well-designed building, an outstanding
movie, or a nature walk better than someone without that background.
A vacation in a foreign country, a story on the evening news, or a conversation
with a stranger may connect with things you have learned in your
major so that the experience is much more meaningful.
Competition
Rewarding careers often attract large numbers of job-seekers. The competition
can begin in college or, for some careers, even earlier. As part of the
decision about a major and a career, you need to get a realistic sense of your
chances of entering and succeeding in the job.
If you are already enrolled in college, you may get some answers from the
staff of the career development office or from experienced faculty in the
major you are considering. If you are not yet enrolled in college, consider
that what recruiters tell you may be slanted as a sales pitch. Confirm what
you hear by asking other sources, such as recent graduates, and be sure to
ask about the college’s recent job-placement track record for your intended
major.
Of course, you may face competition long before you hit the job market.
Some majors limit the number of people who enroll and admit only highperforming
students. If you pursue a graduate or professional degree, expect
competition for entry. Professional schools generally create a climate where,
once admitted, students work hard but can expect to complete their degree
(although often they compete for the best job prospects); many graduate
departments, on the other hand, limit the number of students who are
allowed to proceed beyond the master’s degree into the doctoral program.
Graduate students also compete for financial aid, such as fellowships that
may pay a stipend.
So as you make plans, you need to decide whether you have the drive and
the ability to withstand the competition that you will face. Talk to people
currently in the program and measure your past grades and test scores
against their backgrounds. Ask people in the workforce what it takes to
succeed. If you expect a small but significant possibility of failure, consider
how well you accept risk and construct an alternative plan in case your
original goal does not work out. Many people have found success and happiness
in their “plan-B” careers.
Read More: Factors That Should Be Part of the Decision Choosing A Major
