Choosing a major

When she was in college, she majored in Middle Eastern studies and went on to earn a master’s in the subject. It was education, though, that appealed to her the most. Ultimately, Logan completed her doctorate in education and human ecology — and today, as assistant dean for the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Exploratory Studies (CES), she helps undecided students plot their own courses forward.

If you’re still wondering which direction to take, you’re in good company. “We find that a lot of 18-year-olds don’t know what they want to major in,” Logan says.

In fact, most students switch majors at least once. And up to 80% of those who choose a major don’t necessarily have a career in mind.

As far as Logan is concerned, that’s fine. “We provide the tools that students need to make those decisions,” she says. At Cincinnati, students who have yet to settle on a major receive extensive one-on-one counseling with academic advisers who not only know the requirements for every undergraduate major, but also are experts in helping students determine a path that works for them. Students are encouraged to get involved with different groups and volunteer in order to find a path that fits. 

For students lucky enough to enroll in a university with a good co-op and internship program, experience can be the best predictor. There is nothing like real-world immersion to test the waters. As the global birthplace of co-op, University of Cincinnati boasts a "classroom" extending to nearly every corner of the globe — from internships at the city's Fortune 500 companies to trailblazing experiences in places like China, Tanzania and South America. But just as valuable is the chance to discover your field of interest is less than you hoped for. Learning this while you’re still a student provides a chance to change course before investing too much time or tuition money.

One of the best things about college is the seemingly endless array of options in front of you, but with so many choices, those options can also be a little overwhelming.

Logan gets it. “I think that it’s tough when you’re coming right out of high school and you’ve studied six or seven subjects at most — then you come to an institution like UC with literally hundreds of majors,” she says.

But don’t worry that choosing a direction now will lock you into a career path you’re unsure of. Most colleges and universities don’t require you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year.

Still, Logan encounters many students and parents who consider it a bit frivolous to devote time to “finding oneself” rather than buckling down and studying for an end goal. College is a big investment, after all. “I often ask parents whether they’ve ever changed majors or careers. Most of them have.”

Not knowing what you’re looking for isn’t a signal that you’re not ready for college. Some of the most brilliant students have trouble narrowing their interests.

“Do what you’re interested in, because you’re going to succeed in what you’re interested in,” Logan says. “There will always be a way to get a job or a career out of it.”