They should choose a course of study that's interesting, challenging, stimulating, one they have great interest in & an affinity for. However, there better be some backup areas of study available, just in case.

A business can be small, large, intn'l, wholesale, retail, mfg. It all depends on what kind(s) of business we're discussing. Economics goes far beyond just business, and there's macro, micro, financial, Keynesian, etc. Economics includes business, but business doesn't include economics.

Obviously there are required ones, but as far as electives, don't just take them as space fillers, since those selected may wind up being in your major area of study!

Usually by the 3rd year or you'll be extending your date of graduation. If you're lucky enough to be 90-100% focused, it'll make all the difference in the world. I majored in French, and when I got out of college, I turned down a low-paying job in a language institute. I got into sales, and since 1977 I've been in financial services. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist, but when I found out you couldn't keep what you found (unless you were Moshe Dyan) I had to change my focus.

Most colleges require you choose a major by the second semester of your sophomore year. The "right" major is subjective and is only relevant if it will help you to reach your career goal....for example: do not choose engineering if you want to be a social worker

I suggest you to visit the university's career center or placement services during your college visits each time. if you are not planning to go to graduate school, then you should consider your career path very serioulsy before picking a major in college. it will cost you more time and money to change majors.

Students and their parents are very concerned about selecting a major and knowing the impact it will have on a career, and rightly so; college education is a very expensive proposition. However, there is no simply answer to the question about a major. History majors go on to medical school; English majors become attorneys; and education majors become accountants. The best advice is to do your best in whatever major you choose and do something that you really love rather than just choosing a major because it will look good on a resume. Students should make sure that if their college has course options that are career-related (not necessarily the case in liberal arts schools) that they try those courses. Another very important consideration are internships. I believe they are every bit as important in hiring and career development than the area in which a student majors or minors. As for when to pick a major, that is entirely dependent on the college. Students should read up on policies and deadlines regularly and talk to faculty in the areas that are interesting. In larger universities, there may be specific colleges that have career impact. Georgetown comes to mind because it has college of arts and sciences, a college for international relations, and a college for business. Remember also that students very often change majors and career direction. How do they really know at age 18 what they will want to do at age 28?

How colleges classify business versus economics can vary. The way I would explain this to students is that business programs tend to be pre-professional in nature, with some colleges awarding degrees such as a BBA (bachelor's of business administration). On the other hand, economics is a key element of many programs at liberal arts schools, as economics includes monetary and consumer behavior theory. Students trained in economics learn important critical thinking and reasoning skills. So often economics can be a component of business programs, but business programs are not necessarily offered by colleges teaching courses in economics.

If you have toured colleges, you’ve already heard that the most popular major for freshmen is “Undecided.” Colleges understand that most 18-year-olds don’t know what they want to major in or what career they will pursue. However, if you do choose a major, it should align with your application. For instance, for engineering, your transcript should show high grades and strong rigor in math and science classes. Identify potential careers by thinking about your favorite and least favorite classes, and by taking career assessments. Use opportunities to intern or job shadow to help you learn more about your interests.

Students tend to find their majors in a couple of ways. The most common is that they take a course that really sparks their interest in a subject. I encourage students to get to know the professors in these courses. Ask the professor about the field and the emerging trends within it. It is also a good idea to talk with other students in the major. Another path for finding a major is volunteer work or an internship. Real world experience brings the field alive in a way that course work alone cannot.

When you do what you love, work feels like fun! The same advice applies to picking a major. Don’t major in a subject simply because it fits an imagined career path; choose the major that truly interests you and you’ll enjoy your studies and find success. Although a small number of careers do require specific undergraduate majors (think architecture or accounting), you can gain entry into most careers through a variety of majors. English or history majors develop the strong verbal skills and research abilities that lead to successful business careers, while psychology students may pursue careers as varied as advertising, business, and education. If you follow your passion when picking a major, a successful career will follow!

How can a teenager truly know what career path(s) he will eventually follow? Only one in ten adults ultimately pursue a career that is directly related to what his major was in college. Most schools require that a major be declared by junior year. Try to choose a major that you will enjoy. Keep in mind that Medical schools often prefer English majors to Biology majors, and Law schools are known to favor Philosophy majors, as these disciplines teach effective writing and analytical skills. A solid liberal arts education will provide you with a foundation of critical knowledge and skills. Don?t be surprised if your career path is chosen by luck and happenstance.

Some colleges admit by major, others allow you to be undecided or change later. Most estimates say 80% of college students will change majors at least once. That flexibility is one of the best features about our education system. I had a college friend who was in the hospital for long time. Bored, he read the course catalog from cover to cover. When he got out, he changed his major from computer science to sociology, because those courses sounded most interesting. So having a major in mind is fine, but be open to new possibilities and be ready to change.

I strongly recommend students do some career exploration and a personality profile prior to college. It’s not critical that you map out your whole future at 18, but knowing the what you’re good at and enjoy doing will help you narrow the playing field and provide direction. A huge part of figuring out what you want to do is discovering what you don’t want to do, and that can often only come from experience. Take advantage of internships or job shadowing, even in high school. But be open-minded…take advantage of new opportunities and you just might discover new passions you never knew you had!

Most students can’t confidently pick a major when they are eighteen years old; therefore, most colleges won’t penalize you for applying as “undecided.” Far more important to most admissions officers is a student’s ability to communicate clearly about his or her current passions. Figuring out your college major takes time, that’s why most colleges give students four semesters to pick a major. Start conducting online research during your freshman year in high school. The Internet is full of information describing the diversity of college majors. Less time spent on Facebook now can help you pick the right college major later.

Applying to a specialized institution or program certainly requires you to have a good understanding of your intended major. However, being undecided is not a detriment when applying to the majority of colleges in the U.S. You have time to explore during your first two years of college. Most majors can lead to a variety of career options; I know doctors who majored in psychology and lawyers who majored in philosophy. Remember that the workforce is constantly changing. Your college experience must provide you with a skill set which will enable you to adapt throughout the various stages of your career regardless of your initial choice of major.

College admissions personnel do not focus on the major of the applicant when making the decision to accept, reject, or wait list an applicant. The focus in on the applicant’s SAT or ACT scores, academic record, extra-curricular activities, community service, and the college essay. Undecided students should list the major as undeclared because college admissions personnel understand that for many applicants it takes time to declare a major. Most students take required courses during the freshman year, therefore the first year of college is an excellent time to further explore one’s interests and strengths prior to deciding a major.

After building a music business in high school, Adam applied to colleges with strong music business programs. He got into some, not all, and chose one with a strong music business program. Then freshman year, he changed his mind, and the school didn’t have many other majors he wanted. Now he is a happy history major at another college. Colleges love kids with passions. But if you’re undecided, then view that as your passion. That is your right. College is the time to explore and give yourself the change your mind, your passions, and major. And then sometimes the college.

There is an old joke that the most popular freshman major is "undecided" and the second most popular is "I changed my mind." Admissions officers are usually interested in whether you have determined that their institution offers majors in which you will be interested, not that you have to know precisely which one (unless a major requires auditions or other prerequisite evidence of skill or preparation.) It does make sense to list your most probable major on your application, not only to help the admission staff determine the fit between you and their program, but just in case there are any departmental scholarships available to entering freshmen.

Up to 50% of entering freshmen begin college as undeclared. Many colleges have core requirements that provide opportunities for students to take courses in a variety of fields before deciding on one. Students can gain acceptance without necessarily knowing their major. Students must generally select a major by the end of their sophomore year. Students do change majors and even art students can become lawyers. It is a good idea though to major in an area that you intend on pursuing. If a student is having difficulty deciding, excellent interest inventories like Strongs and/or Myers Briggs can help reveal interests and possible directions a student may take.