Before Choosing A College Major...

by Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger

27 Feb 2007 03:21 PM

"What do you want to be when you grow-up?" was a question that I heard often. I was very confident in the answer. I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I was raised on a farm and had many pets. I loved all animals. I could envision myself saving each and every sick or hurt pet that came into my office. Things changed. As you know, I am a teacher. However, my love for animals is still very strong.

The turning point came through experience and observation. Before beginning the many years of college that a veterinarian endures, it was suggested that I observe a veterinarian in action. I went to the vet office and observed a cat being spayed. It was the absolute worst thing that I had ever seen in my life! Besides the blood and knives turning my stomach, the cat was unknowingly expecting kittens. I soon discovered that this was not the profession for me. For me animals are pets, not a job!

I know many people that have encountered something like I did. You have your heart and mind set on what you want to do with your life. You soon then discover that it is not the right choice for you. I was lucky. I found out before I began my higher education. Some people have already begun college, or even their job, before they realize that they have made a mistake. There are some things that you can do to help prevent this from happening to you.

· Be open-minded. Research various jobs. Do not limit yourself to one or two professions. · Get the facts. Once you have decided on a profession, research it thoroughly. How much schooling will it take? What schools offer the classes? What salary should you expect? Is there a demand for the profession? Will you need to relocate? · Give it a try (or at least an observation). Talk with people who are in the profession. Ask for pros and cons. Spend a day working in the profession.

Things worked out great for me! I love my job and I love my pets! I hope that you too can spend your life doing something that you enjoy!

So, How Much do you Make? Career Planning: Choosing Work That Fits You Seeking Job Targets: Bulls Eye!

Learn more about Lyn Newton

Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing.

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Yumna (5) 03 Mar 2007 05:08 PM

I'm one of those who started university and just over half way through my degree quit after being miserable for over a year! I studied dentistry for 3 years, and yes I went through the motions of "job-shadowing" as we call it. My goal was to become a maxillo facial surgeon after observing one such surgeon in practice on a couple of occasions. Sadly enough it was going through the denistry part of it that turned out unbearable...and its not the whole "looking into peoples mouth thing"...one tends to get over that pretty quickly. It turned out that every thing in the field bore me and when I started treating patients is was unbearable! I spoke to parents and friends about it in my 3rd year and decided to go back positive and give it a shot! That didn't help for too long and I decided at the beginning of my 4th year to call it quits. I changed over to a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree which I'm enjoying so far...my career path will be decided when I choose my Major next year..no rush to commit to something...I'll explore my options during this year. The problem behind my situtation and that of many other students I know...we're put into a situation where in the last 2 yrs of high school we choose a degree which points out to choosing a career and essenstially your whole life!..A great flaw in the education system.

Lyn Newton (3966) 03 Mar 2007 08:41 PM

When I taught eighth grade, students were asked to choose a path before entering high school! The paths were eihter university or technical. Of course the choice could be changed later but the thought of an 8th grade student making a decision such as that one is absurb! I am so glad that you didn't continue in denistry. You made the right decision for both you and your patients. You would have been miserable and that would have affected your family life. Your ptients would have also been affected by your lack of enthusiasm for your job. Best of luck!!!

mommijun (28) 17 Dec 2007 08:26 PM

Instead of asking our kids what they want to 'be' we should be asking them what job they'd like to try first. Statistically they are going to have 3+ careers during their working lifetime. Not jobs- careers. I got a BA in English in 1988 and I'm in distance ed now, something that certainly didn't exist in 1988! And the same is going to happen to them. I'm asking my daughter, who's off to college in the fall, what she wants to start with. There's no telling how she'll branch off from her starting point and where she'll end up.