Well, it’s been awhile since we’ve accepted a guest post and I’m excited about this one! Neither Hannah nor I have ever gone through changing our major, so it’s something we don’t have first hand knowledge on! But, luckily for us, Sabine is talking all about her experience with changing her major and the steps and questions you need to ask before you change yours! We hope you enjoy. Now, let’s get into it!
People usually say that college is when you learn a lot about who you are, which is completely true. But don’t forget that applies to your career as well, not just your personal life.
I just graduated from Temple University and let me tell you, my career goals today are completely different from what I imagined as a freshman ready to soak up the experience. I thought I wanted to be a psychologist in the beginning, but I now know that my passion lies in public relations, specifically in the entertainment industry.
Some of you may be going through what I first went through- confusion, worry, etc.- but don’t freak out! I’m going to tell you how you can take the summer to figure out what it is you really want to do.
Photo courtesy of Ryan S. Brandenberg/ Joseph V. Labolito/ Betsy Manning
WHO?
First, you need to figure out who you are doing this for. If your current major, minor or plan is based on what someone else wants for you, that’s no bueno. Nobody wants to spend a lifetime thinking about the what-ifs and should-haves. This will involve a lot of introspection, but I believe in you! Really dig deep and figure out what you want to experience for yourself and the rest should unfold.
WHY?
Why do you want to change your plans? Is it not as fun as you thought it would be? Is it not challenging enough? For me, I realized I didn’t like psychology enough to go through years of school. Not only would I have to obtain my B.A., but about 10 years of post-graduate education were in store for me. When I found myself feeling completely unmotivated about the journey, I knew it was time for a change. You can figure this out by making a pros and cons list. If the cons of your current plan outweigh the pros, it may be time to switch things up.
Photo courtesy of Shelby Ricci
WHAT?
Now, explore what you want to do. Think about what you enjoy the most and see if there are career options. When I was unsure, I happened to read an excerpt from a book about a woman in fashion PR and it clicked for me. I’ve always been passionate about music and television, so I combined that with my interest in public relations and the rest is history! If you need help figuring it out, set up informational interviews and/or get an internship!
I’ve done a lot of informational interviews because they help me continue learning and allow me to make connections. It was my dream to be a part of NBC’s internship program, so once I achieved that dream, I set up interviews with a lot of my supervisors because they were doing exactly what I wanted to do. People are willing to help, so don’t be afraid to ask. The worst they can say is no.
PLAN
Do your research and set up an appointment with your academic advisor to see what steps you need to take for your plan to come to fruition. After meeting with mine, I decided to keep my psychology major and add a public relations minor. Who would’ve thought that having a psychology background would be seen as an asset to so many in the industry? While I ultimately knew I didn’t want to pursue psychology in the way I used to, I took classes that helped strengthen my skills in the field I knew I was meant to be in. It’s all about making what you have work for you and spinning things in your favor.
My psychology major never got in the way of my public relations internships because they could see my experience within the field. Even if you don’t want to change anything about your studies, out-of-class experience means everything. Take opportunities to get yourself in the field you’re really interested in.
Photo courtesy of Shelby Ricci
Don’t be afraid to make the change! I always say, you’ll know you made the right decision when you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for following your heart at the end of the day.
-Sabine
About RINNY & BEAN
RINNY & BEAN is a blog run by twin sisters, Sabine and Carine, covering everything from fashion and beauty to lifestyle.
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