How to Choose the Best College Major

Choosing a college major can be complicated, as it will likely impact and shape your career and future opportunities. To make this even more challenging, these decisions are made while the individual is still very young with little if any, real-world experience to base that decision. As a very young man, I knew I was not prepared to make a decision as impactful as that, so I elected to enlist in the military like many others. I completed my enlistment, returned home, and started taking general education classes, still waiting for a clear direction on what I wanted to do for the next 40 years.

 

I landed on engineering, and while that is undoubtedly a great option, I have made multiple career changes since my days in the college classroom. Here are a few tips that may help you make the best choice for you:

 

  1. Consider your interests and passions. What subjects do you enjoy studying? What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing? These are often good indicators of what you may be interested in pursuing as a career.
  2. Research career prospects, job outlooks, and earning potential for various majors. This will give you an idea of career opportunities after graduation.
  3. Talk to people in the field if possible. Ask them about their experiences and what they enjoy about their job. This will give you valuable insights regarding what it’s like to work in the field.
  4. Take advantage of your school’s resources and those provided by many colleges. Many schools have career days sponsored by professionals and college staff. This may help you make an informed decision.
  5. Keep your options open; you don’t have to choose a major immediately. It’s not uncommon for a student to explore different subjects before committing to a major.
  6. Consider your long-term goal and what you want to achieve in your career and personal life. This may help you land a major that aligns with your goals.

 

Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a major you’re passionate about that will lead to a career you enjoy. Remember, your major doesn’t have to dictate your entire career. Switching careers or even going back to school to pursue a different field is not uncommon. While choosing a major that aligns with your interests and goals, it is also essential to remain open to new opportunities and changes throughout your life.

 

Distance Learning Systems provide many options for those contemplating a career change or starting out. With over 35 major universities to choose from and over 450 online and campus-based degree programs, this is a great place to start. You can quickly and affordably complete up to 2 years of an accredited bachelor’s degree 100% online.

 

Written By: Dave Christy

Taking Dantes Credit by Examinations

Dante’s Credit by Examinations, CLEP and Excelsior examinations Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Financed for active duty, National Guard members, and Reserves which means they are basically 100% free. The DANTES credit by examination is a nationally-recognized credit-by-examination program that most universities agree to for credit towards a degree plan. One tremendous benefit is to soldiers who may be separated from military bases such as recruiters who can still take these examinations for 100 % free at private testing facilities. Any military college student with an accepted degree plan should be able to use these examinations towards their degree plan provide the subject suits into their accepted degree plan. There are 38 Dantes credit by examinations and these can be taken at a base education center or at an approved off base computer testing center.

DANTES_CREDIT_BY_EXAMINATIONStep 1. Find and Schedule – Once a testing center is located, they must be contacted to confirm examining procedures and scheduling for military learners. Dante’s examinations are developed to analyze proficiency in various college-degree course materials.

Step 2. Obtain Fact Sheet – There a few strategies to pass a Dante’s that utilize the actual test construction to ensure a passing grade. The examinations are developed based on a summary from subject experts and the questions are examined for reliability centered on a subject’s understanding of that particular topic.

Step 3. Get Book(s) – The next phase in using the simple fact sheet is to analyze the section known as Sources for study Material, because this is where the guides used to design the test questions originate from.

Step 4. Make Flashcards – Purchase a set of flashcards. Using the evaluation Fact Sheet, each term listed on the simple fact sheet summary should be put on a flashcard. Using the evaluation Principles of Counseling as an example, this would lead to a minimum of 34 flashcards.

Step 5. Use Your Resources  – Some examinations are normally easier than others because learners have current understanding of the test topic information. A good example would be the Army MOS 31B or military police.