Recent research has revealed that a student’s degree choice ultimately is more influenced by positive and negative experiences with professors than by what drew them to that degree in the first place.
The findings — part of Harvard University Press’ “How College Works,” and presented during the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association last month — also showed that money and job promise of a major take a backseat compared to inspirational professors.
Students who base a long-term decision, such as degree choice, on feelings rather than reason could face repercussions.
Most students arrive at university with a passion and interest in a particular field. These students should remain unwavering in their desires, even if the introductory course into said field is taught by an uninspiring professor.
In any given major, there are instructors that will keep students hanging off their every word, and some that keep students asleep.
Be active in education early on.
Research professors. Find out who creates a lively classroom, who has background experience in the career of interest and who is known for helping mentor students.
Study internships and careers. Older students in any major will have some sort of experience they can impart. Whether it’s knowledge of classes and professors or an internship, these students have been through the ropes and can relate to a younger student.
Find out what careers a major could yield after university. Job shadowing provides first-hand insight into a career, and most professionals are willing to let a student tag along. Job shadowing takes students inside an industry, connects them with experienced people, and lets them see what the day-to-day workload is like. Overall, it provides a sense of the real world.
Be active in broadening your education.
The study has its lessons. Students should tailor their university requirements, electives and college requirements to their interests so they experience a variety of professors across multiple fields.
This yields two benefits. Students receive a broader education, learning material and skills that translate to their interests and even to their degree. And students also could find a professor who evokes inspiration and opens a previously unknown career path.
But when exploring courses, students should consider whether its the professor or the material piquing their interest. A professor might steer a degree choice, but a degree consists of the material.
Students also should consider the long-term consequences. Too many extra credits that don’t contribute toward a degree can work against you and result in an extra year tacked onto the original four-year plan.
Basing a major choice on one professor could have students floating from course to course in a major for a semester or two before realizing it wasn’t the right choice. While this isn’t always the case, when it happens, it sets students back in time and money.
Students must research their passions and interests before committing to a major or suffer the setbacks.
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