As midterms begin to loom upon us, students have started to study for exams and write important papers. In some Communication classes at Manhattan College, particularly Intro to Comm., this point in the semester marks where students are required to consider possible fields they may want to pursue a career in. Although encouraging students to explore different arrears of study is completely logical, the fact that this is done halfway through the semester, and for some student, halfway through their college education, is curious.
A school’s failure to familiarize their students with the various programs and courses offered, in combination with forcing them to choose a major only halfway into their college career often results in confusion, wasted time, and lost credits. Doctor Fitz Grup, founder of MyMajors.com, revealed “50 percent of [students] who do declare a major, change majors — many doing so two and three times during their college years.”
What causes a student to change their mind about their future profession, whether it is once or multiple times? Often times, the perception of certain careers maybe appealing to students, until they discover the reality of their courses of study.
Christina Verde, student at Montclair State University, enrolled as a Theater Production and Design major, something she had wanted to do “since the very tail end of middle school.” Once she began her studies though, she discovered that the image of her “dream career” was dissipating.
“I struggled to learn things that my professors were no help in teaching,” she recalls. “I spent countless amounts of money on drafting supplies I never used again, and wasn't enjoying even a minute of it. That major killed any and all love I had for the craft that I absolutely adored.” Now a junior, Christina has switched to an English Education major, and has realized that “while the path was weird,” her decision “couldn't have been more right.”
Many students fall into this same trap of mentally glamorizing their desired profession, causing them to switch majors numerous times. Says Intro to Communications professor Thom Gencarelli, “One year I asked my class why they chose to be a Communications major. Almost all of the girls said they had seen Sex and the City and wanted to be like Carrie Bradshaw- being a journalist seemed like it would be fun.” After the Professor explained to his students the hard work and low salary reality of having a career in journalism, the majority of those girls switched majors.
Dropping out of a program or switching a major should not be a student’s only option, though, especially if they’re penalized for doing so like at Manhattan College. After deciding against spending 4 or more extra years in school in order to fulfill my dream profession of being a Plastic Surgeon, I transferred to the School of Arts to pursue a career in Communications. Two years worth of Business and Science then magically transformed into ‘electives,’ my hard work having been in vain. Because of losing thee once required courses, I must balance 5 classes a semester in addition to online courses taken via my Community College in order to graduate with the rest of my class.
In some cases, the stress of switching majors and losing credits while wasting time and money proves to be too much for a student. “I went to Georgian Court University for Elementary Education with a focus in History,” says Tiffany Lee Simpson, now a photographer. “I changed my major three times, then just dropped out because none of it seemed worth it. I’m still paying loans for schooling that was useless!”
Students should be able to get a feel for their desired career path before committing four years of their time and money to something they may be dissatisfied with. This could be accomplished by giving students the option of sitting in on classes they would be required to take and being granted more time to choose a major.
Unfortunately, ones indecisiveness can lead to extending an academic career for longer than planned. According to the College Board, “roughly 40 percent of those who start a four-year degree program still have not earned one after year six.”
Six years for a four-year degree? Those extra years in Medical School aren’t looking so bad after all.
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