I have a college dilemma?

Question

I am 19, almost 20 and starting my second year in community college. The problem is I have no idea what to major in and I should decide within a year, and a year goes by fast. Unfortunately I have grown up having everything in my life handed to me, so I know little about the real world. Since high school is over I have really started to see that growing up spoiled has not benefitted me in any way.

My question is..what do I do when I am not really interested in anything enough to make it my full time job?? I am realizing that my interests of partying and shopping and hanging out with friends is not going to get me anywhere in life. I want to be successful and independent...but I am so confused with what I should do with my college situation. I feel like everyone by age 20 knows what to major in once they transfer to a 4 year college and I dont even have a clue :(

Answer 1

don't be too hard on yourself. it may seem like all 20 something people know what they want to do with the rest of their lives...but trust me, even those of use who chose a path years ago still question our decisions.

my sister is in a similar situation as yours. by her 2nd year of college she still hadn't picked a major and didn't feel drawn to anything in particular. she finally settled on business management figuring it was the most practical...but she was bored with the classes and after getting a great job she's taking some time off. not that i necessarily suggest you do this, but if you feel like you need to in order to figure some things out, go for it.

also, if your interests are partying, shopping and hanging out with friends, try to think big...what careers allow you to do those kinds of things? maybe public relations, party planning, being a personal shopper, etc. just because you don't have an interest that exactly translates into a career (like you love animals so you become a vet) doesn't mean you can't find a job you can enjoy.

aside from the school thing, one great thing you can do is start networking. talk to your parents, parent's friends, friend's parents, former employers, professors, any other adult about your desire to find a career you love. make meetings with people you think have interesting jobs...most people love talking about themselves and in turn their jobs so just call and say you're interested in finding out what being a (fill in any career) is like and would love to come talk to them when they have time. even if the job isn't for you, even that one meeting makes one more person out there you know and could hook you up one day. many people will tell you it's all about who you know when it comes to getting what you want in life!

good luck! you'll figure it all out eventually, and things pop up in life you never expected that can totally change the direction in your life...sometimes in the best ways!    

Answer 2

Surely you have more interests than partying and shopping... What did you want to be when you grew up? Do you like animals, people, the elderly, kids? Have you considered that maybe a college degree just isn't for you and you should start working in retail? Or maybe get a business degree so you can try to be a manager?

Answer 3

I would suggest you to look into accounting.  There are many jobs available all the time, and the pay is decent.  If you graduate with a BS degree in Accounting, and further your studies with a Masters along with a CPA license, you can easily make $100,000 per year.  I have a couple of friends who studied in other fields but ended up going back to school for an accounting degree.  

Answer 4

I once read somewhere that certain parts of the brain (such as the one for judgment) don't finish maturing until around age 25. So maybe it's no surprise that you don't know what you want to do with your life yet. I started college as a biology major, and over a long college career with several "breaks," ended up with a degree in speech & theatre.

My point is that you shouldn't beat yourself up or rush to decide something you clearly aren't ready to decide (if you were ready, the decision would be easier). It may be time for a "break" from school to get some more "life experience." Since you like shopping, I second the earlier suggestion to work in retail for a while. Some experience in the working world may help clarify your goals as far as schooling.