Majoring in your future: your college major can have a big effect on your future career. But how do you find the major and the job path that is right for you? This quiz can help you narrow down the world of choices

Careers and Colleges, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Neeta Fogg, Paul Harrington, Thomas Harrington

When it comes to finding a rewarding career, what do you think is more important: what you learn in college or where you learn it? Although students and parents may spend more time worrying about which college to attend, a student's field of study or major can have a greater impact on his or her employment options. The opportunities for getting a career-track job, remaining employed, and earning a decent salary are all closely tied to a student's major. Simply put: Where you start can have a lot to do with where you are headed.

THE TRICK is finding the major--and career--that is right for you. What work will you find most satisfying? Since individuals have different personalities, interests, abilities, and aptitudes, your choice of a college major should be based on a combination of what you like to do, what you are able to do or are good at doing, and what opportunities will be available to you in the job market with a degree in a particular undergraduate major.

THE PROCESS FOR FINDING that ideal career match begins with a little self-assessment. The quiz on the following pages will help you target the types of work that will make you happiest and match your talents and personality. After you take the test, take time to further discover your career ambitions and the job opportunities available. You should think of what you will have to give up to attain your career dreams, how you should prepare, and the steps needed to reach those goals. Starting to think now about these questions and your college major will help you make better decisions about the courses you take in college and your future job path.

The College Majors Quiz BY DR. THOMAS HARRINGTON

This College Majors quiz is designed to help you think about your likes and dislikes when it comes to work. Answer the questions in the quiz and then see what majors and related careers are most appealing to you. Be aware of your internal thoughts as you answer the following questions.

As you respond, consider the following:

* DO YOU BELIEVE that you have ability in the area?

* DO YOU LIKE the activity?

* HAVE YOU EVER sought out more information about the topic; or have you done activities related to the topic?

Circle the number below that best indicates how      NOT       LIKE
you would like to do each of the following:          LIKE    VERY MUCH

1.  Think up ideas for advertising a product         1   2   3   4   5

2.  Be good at enforcing laws and working with
    others to create safe neighborhoods              1   2   3   4   5

3.  Be able to motivate young children to learn to
    read, do math, and explore the world             1   2   3   4   5

4.  Know how to write and edit a story for the
    mass media                                       1   2   3   4   5

5.  Research solutions for human health and
    preservation of the natural environment          1   2   3   4   5

6.  Plan, direct, or coordinate the operation of
    companies or public organizations                1   2   3   4   5

7.  Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and
    provide information to patients about
    medication usage                                 1   2   3   4   5

8.  Study political decision-making and public
    policy and analyze the structure and operation
    of governments                                   1   2   3   4   5

9.  Organize and direct health clubs, fitness and
    exercise programs, and leisure activities        1   2   3   4   5

10. Work with databases, object-oriented
    programming languages, client-server
    applications, and Internet technology            1   2   3   4   5

11. Assist during surgery, treatments, and
    examinations; administer medications; and
    develop plans to improve or maintain one's
    health                                           1   2   3   4   5

12. Research the intent of laws and judicial
    decisions and apply the law to the specific
    circumstances faced by clients                   1   2   3   4   5

13. Identify the compounds that make up a
    substance as the pharmaceutical industry needs
    to know the identity of compounds that they
    hope to turn into drugs                          1   2   3   4   5

14. Advise companies of the tax advantages and
    disadvantages of business decisions and
    preparing individual income tax returns          1   2   3   4   5

15. Design products and machinery to build the
    products, plan the construction of buildings
    and highways, or develop new materials           1   2   3   4   5

16. Help people function the best they can to deal
    with relationships and solve personal and
    family problems                                  1   2   3   4   5

17. Know how to turn abstract ideas into designs
    for merchandise, the clothes we wear, Web
    sites, the publications we read, and office
    space we inhabit                                 1   2   3   4   5

18. Select a topic, gather information, organize
    it, and use the written word to express ideas
    and convey information                           1   2   3   4   5

19. Study to prepare to diagnose illness,
    prescribe medications, and administer
    treatment for people suffering from injury
    or disease                                       1   2   3   4   5

20. Study the human mind and behavior,
    investigating the cognitive, emotional, and
    social aspects of human behavior                 1   2   3   4   5

21. Develop in-depth knowledge of English,
    mathematics, social studies, and science with
    adolescents in either public or private
    institutions                                     1   2   3   4   5

22. Study farm crops and animals to develop ways
    of improving their quantity and quality, and
    research how to develop healthy food products    1   2   3   4   5

23. Work with students with mental illness and
    behavioral disorders                             1   2   3   4   5

24. Work with engineers and scientists in research
    and development, doing quality control,
    conducting tests, and collecting data            1   2   3   4   5

25. Using storytelling and rhyming games to
    develop language, vocabulary, and social
    skills of preschool children                     1   2   3   4   5

26. Work with investors who wish to buy and sell
    stocks, insurance, bonds, and other financial
    commodities                                      1   2   3   4   5

27. Improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or
    limit permanent physical disabilities of
    patients suffering from injuries or disease.     1   2   3   4   5

28. Conduct research to identify and reduce
    sources of pollutants that affect wild life
    and the environment                              1   2   3   4   5

Calculate total scores from your answers:

MAJOR FIELD 1:

Question 2 = --
Question 9 = --
Question 16 = --
Question 20 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 2:

Question 7 = --
Question 11 = --
Question 19 = --
Question 27 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 3:

Question 1 = --
Question 6 = --
Question 14 = --
Question 26 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 4:

Question 3 = --
Question 21 = --
Question 23 = --
Question 25 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 5:

Question 10 = --
Question 15 = --
Question 17 = --
Question 24 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 6:

Question 4 = --
Question 8 = --
Question 12 = --
Question 18 = --
Total = --

MAJOR FIELD 7:

Question 5 = --
Question 13 = --
Question 22 = --
Question 28 = --
Total = --

Identify the field where you scored highest and then turn to the
"key" box on page 12 to see which careers and majors best match
your high score. To keep your answers unbiased, the "key" box is
at the end of the article.