Selecting your major is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make to prepare for your future.

As students, we put a lot of time and effort in selecting a major. It’s four years of careful planning and consideration as we look to the future for what it is that we want to accomplish in life.

Some students, however, are undecided and change their major a few times before finally deciding on a specific degree program.

“First, I wanted to do International Business because I wanted to travel. Then, I switched to Marketing, because I just felt that with my career path that is where I was going anyway,” said sophmore Angela Gomez.

“One summer, I volunteered at a nursing home, and it changed a lot of my perspectives on daily life. Now, I’ve finally decided on a career as a healthcare professional. It’s taken me so long, and I’m so indecisive I sometimes still don’t know if that’s really what I want!” she said.

But what is it really that employers are looking for?

San Antonio Police Officer Christopher Davila said it really doesn’t matter in his career choice.

“I don’t think it matters at all which degree plan you choose in certain careers. For example, SAPD [San Antonio Police Department], they just want to know that you are willing to commit to something, like college, and that you are trained to think. That’s really what it means to them, that you are accomplished,” he said.

Terrie Montelongo, Associate Marketing director for AT&T, said she got her degree in Psychology and now runs a lot of the local marketing campaigns for AT&T.

“I never ever thought I would be in marketing!” said Montelongo.

“When I got my degree, I was sure I was going to eventually return to school and become a doctor! Certainly things change once you get into the real world, and it depends a lot on you as an individual what you decide to move forward with in your life and in your career. I definitely think that majors do not matter when you are ambitious enough to pursue a career field that you want.”

Your job selection after completing your degree will reflect whether or not you chose the right major.

Sari Rodriguez of KSAT 12 said that depending on your job choice, it does make a difference on what major you choose to prepare for your future career.

“When I was in college, I wanted so desperately to get my degree in Radio/TV/Film from Denton [The University of North Texas],”said Rodriguez.

“I just knew that it would help land me a job in the local media field. I ended up not going, but because of the TV broadcasting degree at OLLU [Our Lady of the Lake University], I was able to complete my degree. Believe me, local media employers definitely take a look at that on your resume. Of course, internships help, too.”

One option available to students here at Palo Alto is the DISCOVER test. The test is very comprehensive and is research based to provide the best possible guidance. It can be a very helpful tool for anyone who may be having trouble settling on a major.

For more information on this test, contact Nora Esparza with Career Services in the Welcome Advising Center, Room PC116 or call (210) 921-5242.