Virtually all science majors are great choices, since there’s a high demand for graduates and a wide variety of jobs available. If you’re inquisitive, patient, and enjoy collaborating with others, a science major could be for you. Plus, since science is a broad area, you can choose anything from astronomy or geology to environmental science or neuroscience. The question is how to choose the right major for you — here are some questions that may help.
1. What Intrigues You?
When you study an area of science that you find interesting, you’ll have moments where you experience pure fascination. These moments will motivate you to continue studying even when the material is tough.
Think about what you enjoyed most in your high school classes and when discovering science outside of academics. Perhaps you can spend hours examining objects under the microscope, maybe you’re amazed by the origins of life, or it could be that you love finding solutions to problems.
2. What Kind of Career Would You Like?
Careers in science vary even more than college majors. Some jobs involve working behind a desk, such as when analyzing data or programming. Others mean you’ll spend most of your day in a lab, perhaps examining samples or conducting your own research. A career in ecology, however, could require a large amount of time working outdoors, and if you study animal behaviour, you’ll likely spend your day interacting directly with animals.
You should also think about what kind of schedule you’d like. Desk and lab jobs tend to keep to regular business hours, whereas field research could mean odd hours or even spending time away from home for days or weeks at a time. Furthermore, some majors lead to long-term employment, but studying something like zoology could mean you’re working on projects on a contract basis.
3. How Much Can You Expect to Earn After You Graduate?
It’s also helpful to think about what kind of income you’ll be able to make after you graduate. After all, you’re investing a large amount in your education. The best-paying careers tend to be in engineering (of all types) and computer science. Psychology and speech-language pathology are the lowest paying, but they can be the most rewarding for some people.
4. Where Do You Excel Academically?
All science majors involve some amount of math and statistics skills, but the extent to which you’ll need these and other skills will depend on the major. For example, biology also requires strong writing skills for reports, whereas there’s a greater emphasis on carrying out equations in chemistry. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and then find out what each major involves by looking at its required courses.
Be aware that choosing a science major won’t be an easy ride, even if you enjoy your subject and have always received good grades. A science major tends to require a large amount of studying, which means having somewhere you can focus. Instead of living on campus, it makes sense to search for rooms for rent. Kingston, Ontario, students have their own room in a suite, fast internet, access to group study rooms, and much more at Foundry Princess. Secure your spot now.
