It’s common to have multiple interests and passions, and finding a college degree that covers them all can feel overwhelming. Whether you love the arts, sciences, business, or technology, it can be hard to narrow down your options. Here’s how to approach the decision when you’re interested in more than one field.
1. Prioritize Your Interests
When you have multiple interests, it’s important to prioritize them and understand which ones are most important to you. What are you most passionate about? What kind of work would make you happiest in the long run? While it’s great to have many interests, focusing on the ones that truly excite and motivate you will help guide your decision.
Take time to reflect on your interests and determine which one aligns most with your long-term career goals and values. For example, if you’re passionate about both business and art, you might explore fields like marketing, advertising, or graphic design, where both business acumen and creativity are needed.
2. Explore Degree Combinations and Minors
If you can’t choose between multiple interests, consider degree programs that allow for combination. Some schools offer interdisciplinary degrees that allow students to blend multiple areas of study into one program. For example, you might pursue a degree in environmental studies with a focus on business or an engineering degree with a concentration in sustainability.
If a combination degree isn’t available, you can also consider pursuing a major in one field while adding a minor or electives in another. This allows you to explore your diverse interests without committing to multiple degrees. A business major with a minor in art history could give you the opportunity to pursue both passions while keeping your academic path manageable.
3. Consider Career Flexibility
When choosing a degree, consider how flexible it will be in terms of career opportunities. Some degrees allow you to explore various industries and career paths, while others may be more specialized and narrow. If you want a degree that allows you to switch careers down the line, look for fields that provide transferable skills.
For example, degrees in business, communications, and computer science offer broad career flexibility, as the skills you acquire in these fields are applicable across many industries. On the other hand, specialized fields like medicine or law might offer fewer career options but can still provide a fulfilling and lucrative career.
4. Research Emerging and Growing Fields
If you’re torn between multiple interests, look into emerging and growing fields that combine different areas. Some fields, such as data science, environmental sustainability, and digital marketing, are expanding rapidly and require a mix of skills from different disciplines. Researching these fields can help you find a career that lets you blend your diverse interests and passions.
For example, if you’re interested in both technology and healthcare, you might explore careers in health informatics, which combines technology and healthcare to improve patient outcomes. Similarly, fields like UX/UI design combine technology and art, allowing you to pursue both creativity and technical skills.
5. Seek Advice from Professionals in Various Fields
Sometimes it helps to talk to people who work in the fields you’re considering. Professionals can give you real-world insights into the day-to-day realities of different careers and help you understand how you can combine multiple interests in your career. Reach out to professionals through networking events, informational interviews, or online communities.
Learning from people who have successfully combined multiple interests into their careers can offer inspiration and practical advice for your own decision-making process.
6. Take Introductory Courses in Different Areas
If you’re unsure which field to pursue, consider taking introductory courses in different subjects. Most universities offer general education courses that give you exposure to various disciplines, helping you figure out which ones resonate with you the most.
Taking a range of classes in your first year of college will allow you to explore different topics and see what truly excites you. This hands-on exploration can give you a better sense of what each field is really about and help you make a more informed decision about your degree.
7. Be Open to Changing Paths
It’s important to remember that choosing a college degree is not a final decision. Many people change their career paths during their professional life, and it’s okay to adjust your academic path along the way. If you start with one field and later realize it’s not the right fit, there are often ways to shift gears without starting from scratch.
If you change your mind about your major or career goals, many colleges offer flexible programs, minors, and electives that allow you to adjust your path. Be open to exploring new fields as you gain more knowledge and experience during your college years.