Do you regret your college major? This article from Oregon Business Report talks about the statistics of workers satisfaction with their college degree.
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 36 percent of workers with college degrees said they wish they had chosen a different major in college. More than one-in-four (26 percent) said the market for jobs in their chosen field worsened from the time they entered college and when they graduated.
I was talking to one of my group coaching clients recently and she shared her story with me. She said that after college she figured out exactly what she wanted to do. Unfortunately her degree had nothing to do with her ideal career. She felt she wasted all that money and time on a degree that she’ll never use. Now she wishes that she had known to work with a career coach early on in college to help point her in the right direction. It is frustrating to have that feeling and I hear it over and over again from clients.
With the right degree, many people would have more opportunities that are in line with their ideal career goals. Sometimes people go as far as grad school without really knowing what they want to do. I have many clients who have done this and now have jobs and careers that they hate.
It can be difficult deciding what you want to do with your life when you’re in college. That’s why it’s important to have help and support. Surrounding yourself with friends and family who want to see you succeed is a good thing, but they also may be hesitant, or even discouraging about your hopes and dreams.
A career coach and mentor can be beneficial to young college students. Having reliable support and advice is a huge asset to keep your ideas and goals in check for your future. The last thing you want to do is become one of those 36 percent of workers who regret your college major. Get clear on what it is you want as soon as you can – but especially before you go to grad school.
Click here for more information on career coaching for college graduates.
Hallie Crawford
Career Counseling Coach
