A degree doesn’t secure you a specific career. Over half of college graduates in the past decade are not currently using their degrees in their careers, according to The Burning Glass Institute. A recent article published by Georgetown University explains that oftentimes having a major does not determine or assure your career path in that specific field. However, many college students still believe they need to choose a major and are locked into a career only associated with their specific area of study.
Graduates often become anxious and think their world is falling apart if they are unable to find a job in their career field. The reality is, you don’t need to be anxious about choosing a major or career path. You don’t need to worry that once you choose a major, there is no going back, and you will have to work in that field forever.
According to the Student Research Group, “Around 80% of college students switch their majors at least once.” It’s common for college students to lose interest in their first declared major; what’s important is that they don’t give up. They need to continue embracing whatever new major they choose and pour all they have into it.
Conversations with Students who Changed their Majors
Changing your major shouldn’t be shameful or discouraged; it should be welcomed and respected. In a text message exchange with Sierra College sophomore Ashley Duerst on April 19th, 2026, she explained her reasoning for changing majors from Psychology to Communication Sciences and Disorders. She didn’t change majors because her first choice was too difficult, but because her desired career would be easier to achieve if she changed majors.
An Instagram message with Sierra College sophomore Kaitlyn Kennedy on March 30th, 2026, demonstrated it’s also respectable to switch majors if you are unsure about what to study. Kaitlyn stated:
“I changed my major because I was unsure what I wanted to do, and then realized that the major I chose was not for me. I ended up changing altogether. And now I really like my major.”
Both conversations demonstrate that it is okay to change your major, whatever the reason may be. Whether it’s to pursue a major that better lines up with your desired career or because you don’t enjoy what you’re currently studying, nothing should force you into pursuing a degree you no longer want to study.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Major
While it’s always okay to change your major and pursue a career not mirroring your degree, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a major. According to Sattler College, the top three questions to keep in mind are: “Does the field of study bring you joy? Do you have the abilities needed to excel in the classes? Can you use the content to meet needs in your local or global community?”
Sattler College is challenging students to seriously ponder exactly why they are choosing to pursue a specific major. They propose that if you take the time to research and reflect before choosing a major, it could help prevent you from having to change your major.
Another helpful idea to consider is whether the degree you pursue will equip you with a range of skills you can utilize in different careers. Because of the ever-changing job market and the potential threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) replacing human positions, some careers may become obsolete in the future. Tufts University published an article last fall stating that skill-building can help you prevent periods of unemployment, demonstrating that obtaining a variety of skills can ensure career security.
A California Highway Patrol Academy Range Officer’s Story
A prime example of someone graduating with a degree and choosing a career not widely associated with their major is California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Jay Patton. He graduated with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and yet chose to work as a CHP Officer.
After 23 years of wearing the badge and patrolling the highways, most recently in Placer County, he decided to transfer to become a range instructor to teach the future generations of law enforcement.
When interviewed in person on April 3rd, 2026, and asked why he chose to pursue a career in law enforcement, Officer Patton explained:
“I did it because I wanted to be a motorcycle officer and do something where I could serve people. It didn’t always work out that way, but that was the intention.”
Even though he didn’t pursue a career directly aligned with his Speech Pathology and Audiology degree, he was still able to help others and use the communication skills he learned in college. Interacting with civilians who have difficulty communicating, engaging in active listening, using the 80-20 rule, and applying his other learned skills to de-escalate situations, which he calls “verbal judo” were all learned in his degree coursework.
Instead of helping patients who had difficulty hearing or speaking, he utilized the same skills to serve the motoring public.
Wrapping it Up
In the grand scheme of it all, you don’t need to be anxious about picking a major or thinking that there is only one way to a career path. Unless you’re pursuing a specific career that requires a specialized degree, you have a plethora of majors to sift through and select from. Furman University highlights that one of the points of going to college is to teach you skills that you can apply to your future careers.
You don’t necessarily need to follow the specific career path associated with your declared major to land successful employment. You could become like Officer Patton and use your learned skills to better help the community with a job most people wouldn’t associate with your degree.
Whatever major you end up choosing, remember to ask yourself, does it bring me joy? Do I have the ability to succeed in it? And, is there a need for it in our world?
Reported, Photographed and Written by Lucas Patton
