Majors and Career Choices

Many students are asked the question 'what do you want to be when you grow up?'. Well, in university this question is not merely a question, but a life-altering decision. Many times, a student may decide they would like to be one thing, only to turn around a year later and it is something different. This can be quite disconcerting to parents. However, it is normal for your child to change his or her mind about what they want to do when they are done school, or even what courses they are going to take. Most students will change their minds about what their major is, or what they are going to do as a career once university is completed.

What you can do to help

  • Give them permission to be confused and to explore other options
  • Let them know if you're worried and be specific about why, such as if they've dropped courses what options for them might be closing
  • Reinforce that this is their decision and that you love and respect them

What may not help

  • Trying to convince them to change their mind and continue the existing course of study
  • Blaming them for being so confused and indecisive