One of the preparations that you should do before taking your step into college is to learn about what is a major in college. A college major is not the same as the major you take during high school, if any. It’s a more detailed focus that should be aligned with your interests and aspirations.
What Is a Major in College?
A major is the main subject you will focus on during your four years of university studies. It will be your main topic for most of the courses you take. Moreover, the courses will be counted as your credit to be fulfilled for a four-year program.
For example, if you choose Biology, you will get genetics study, ecology and cellular biology. Another example of an Accounting major is where you will learn about auditing, tax laws, and an introduction to statistics. Each major will take you to build expertise in specific areas for your future job.
After finishing the whole credit in the major you are focusing on, you will earn a degree that shows your expertise and levels in the specific field. After completion of the degree, it is hoped that you can find a job related to the field with your degree as a support for your proficiency.
Why Is a Major Important?
Choosing a major for your higher education is important and inevitable. There are three main considerations that cause this matter, as briefly explained below.
1. Career Goals
The major you choose will divine your future career as it gives you the knowledge to step into your desired field. If you’re majoring in accounting, you will learn the skills needed to work in an entry-level accounting role at most companies or organizations.
Some majors, like accounting, offer specific career paths, but many other skills can be applied in different fields. For example, accounting grads might work in fields such as medical healthcare, automotive centre, and marketing management.
2. Coursework and Specialization
Some careers have these specific requirements regarding the field, so find one that suits you the most. For example, biochemistry is a more focused major within biology or health sciences. It’s a great choice for students interested in careers around medicine, diseases, or even environmental science scopes.
3. Degree Requirements
The degree you choose will affect your future job as many careers specifically require a certain degree. A medical doctor needs a medical degree plus specialized training, while an engineer needs a Bachelor's in Engineering.
Correspondingly, knowing the degree requirements helps ensure you’re on the right path to achieving your goals.
Most Popular Major in Indonesia
According to the Riset Katadata Center (KIC), the most popular college major among Indonesians is engineering, with 16.2% of students choosing it. Following closely behind for the most popular major in Indonesia is education at 7.4%.
Medicine, management, and accounting round out the top five, with 7.3%, 6.3%, and 5.9% of students selecting these fields, respectively. These choices reflect the diverse interests and career paths that Indonesian students are pursuing.
Can you Change majors in College?
Yes, you can change majors in college if you feel your current choice isn’t right for you. In case you have another major that you are interested in and which seems to be more aligedn with your vision, you may change your major.
However, switching majors might delay your graduation since strongly possible that you ought to start over the major from the initial steps.
There is also a possibility that you can transfer some of your credits. Yet, even if you can transfer some courses, you'll still need to take additional yet necessary classes from earlier semesters that you missed in your new major.
Carefully Consider Your College Major
When you understand what is a major in college, you likely choose which one is suitable for you more easily. Align with that matter, you’d also be able to narrow down which college offers a more favorable major program according to your aspiration.
Sampoerna University has plenty of major choices with high quality and proven international standards. Along with it, SU also offers double degrees, a chance for you to earn both an S1 degree and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
At Sampoerna University, you can choose the Faculty of Business, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Arts with various interesting and favorite disciplines and subjects. You can choose one of them that suits your interests and your future goals.
Do not hesitate to choose the major you are passionate about at Sampoerna University. Find your college major now and take your first step to your dream job in the future!
