Choosing a Major & Career

Dear Cydney,
I've been feeling really burnt out, and I'm starting to have a lot of test anxiety as finals approach. To tell you the truth, I'm not enjoying my classes much either. Everything seems like such an effort and, after spending lots of time and money, I'm not even sure about my major. Any advice?

—A Major Meltdown

Dear MM,

I think all of us question our choices during times of stress. I've spent a few sleepless nights questioning my career, my financial future and my relationships. In moderation, internal conflict can be a very useful tool for growth, pushing us to either keep up the fight or move on to new things. You should be proud of how honest you're being with yourself. By taking this opportunity to reflect on your dreams, evaluate your strengths and define your goals, you can recognize if your day-to-day actions are in line with your long-term hopes and plans. Often, by taking a step back to view the big picture, we can recognize the source of anxiety. Here are some questions, MM, to guide your careful reflection:

What are your values? Do you want to spend your time helping others? Do you want to live simply, even if it may mean sacrificing money? Do you want to work hard to achieve prestige in your community? Values are extremely unique, coming to us from our family and our past experiences. It may be useful to sit down and talk out your values with close family and friends-sometimes hearing ideas from others can set off a light bulb in our own minds.

When have you felt happy and successful? Are you an accounting student who feels the greatest satisfaction escaping numbers in your art studio? Are you a communications student who experiences writer's block every time you sit at computer unless you're working in Excel? Be honest with yourself-you may need to reconsider your major. Giving up a few credits and, perhaps some money now, may save you years of unhappiness later.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Three years? One year? One of the key things that differentiates the truly successful from the average person is how specifically one defines a life plan. Start by mapping out your five-year plan; next, consider what goals you should set for the three-year point to get halfway to your long-term plans. Eventually, work back to the one-year plan and your daily activities. This activity can be very affirming for some: "Wow-I'm doing just what I should to achieve my goals." It can also be a startling wake-up call: "Wow-my current actions and short-term plan are totally out of line with my long-term goals."

So what can you do right now? While you're embarking on your journey of selfexploration, it doesn't hurt to explore your external landscape a bit, either, MM. You can initiate informational interviews in which you talk to someone who's already doing your potential job to learn more about a career or field and expand your professional network. Questions generally assess typical responsibilities, joys/challenges in the position and suggestions of resources (journals, professional organizations, respected contacts) to further your own search. You might start with a trusted professor or colleague. Your first interview may lead you to two or three other sources, who lead you to two or three sources each, and on and on. By expanding your network, you can begin to recognize opportunities that you may have never realized existed.

Finally, take advantage of your collegiate environment, MM. Talk to your professors, visit the Career Center (It's never too early!), and open up to trusted friends and family. It may be difficult, but to come to the right answer, we need to pose the right questions. And remember, as a student who I admire likes to say, "If it doesn't hurt, you're not learning."

Originally published in The UB Post, Apr. 30, 2008