Have you picked your major?

How do students decide on a career path?

I’m interested in this topic because my mom has worked in higher education for the majority of her career and sees students coming into universities not knowing what career they want to pursue, even changing career choices during their 4 years at school. I've known I wanted to go into Accounting for many years know, mostly because my mom’s influence in me with business. This topic makes me want to know how those who are struggling with picking a career end up picking one for the rest of their lives, especially one that makes them happy.

What are popular majors at universities all over the US? What are the most popular at Hinsdale Central, or high schools in the US? What’s the percentage of individuals who switch majors in college? How do colleges advertise each school to persuade students to go into that field? Do students feel pressured to follow their parents in their careers?

• Websites: individual universities, statistic websites
• Databases: Career Cruising, Professional Collection, Country Reports, Opposing Viewpoints
• Interviews with my mom’s colleagues
• Authors: Lindsey Pollak (Getting From College to Career), Carol Carter (Majoring in the Rest of Your Life), Shoya Zichy (Career Match: Connecting Who You Are with What You’ll Love To Do)