Selecting your major is a pivotal moment. This single decision can shape your entire career journey and life path. With so much riding on it, you want to make sure you choose the right academic field aligned with your innate interests, talents, and dispositions – one that sets you up for success and satisfaction.
Many students let others steer them, follow peer pressure, or simply major in the degree with the highest salary projections. But making this monumental choice based solely on external factors can lead to lack of engagement, struggling in coursework, and ultimately regretting your major altogether.
A better approach is to select a major that complements your natural personality type. Different academic disciplines and careers cater to distinct dispositions. By understanding your core characteristics through personality assessments, you can find a tailored option that resonates on a deeper level right from the start.
How Does Personality Relate to College Major Choice?
Your personality encompasses the mental and emotional traits that make you uniquely you. This individual mix of qualities impacts how you see the world, approach challenges, and interact with people. It also shapes your inherent strengths, passions, and interests.
Certain disciplines and professions are better suited for particular personalities For example, artistic free spirits fit well in creative fields, while intellectual theorists thrive in conceptual science realms. Practical people prefer concrete technical disciplines And so on.
When your major aligns with your personality attributes, you’re far more likely to:
- Feel motivated and engaged in coursework
- Excel and achieve academic success
- Gain fulfillment from learning and projects
- Pursue complementary career paths
- Experience professional satisfaction long-term
But if you choose a mismatched major you’ll probably struggle against your natural grain which leads to lack of enthusiasm middling grades, and dropping out. It may also set you towards unsuitable careers causing unhappiness.
Assessments to Reveal Your Personality Type
How can you objectively uncover your personality type to inform your college major decision? There are various psychometric assessments designed for this purpose Two popular options include
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI categorizes personality into 16 types based on four dichotomies:
- Extrovert vs Introvert
- Sensing vs Intuition
- Thinking vs Feeling
- Judging vs Perceiving
The assessment reveals where you land on these spectrums. For example, you may be an “ISTJ” type with preferences for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging. MBTI profiles provide insight on preferred learning styles, suitable careers, and more to guide decisions.
Holland Code (RIASEC)
Psychologist John Holland’s RIASEC model matches personality to six interest/work categories:
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Artistic
- Social
- Enterprising
- Conventional
Individuals usually align strongly with 2-3 of the types. The assessment illuminates your interests and dispositions so you can choose a fitting major and career cluster.
College Majors Paired with Common Personality Types
While assessments provide personalized results, here are some common personality types along with well-matched college majors to consider:
The Creative Free Spirit
- Key Traits: Expressive, imaginative, independent
- Good Majors: Arts, Design, Theater, Music, English
The Intellectual Thinker
- Key Traits: Analytical, rational, philosophical
- Good Majors: Physics, Math, Computer Science, Engineering
The Helping Humanitarian
- Key Traits: Compassionate, idealistic, empathetic
- Good Majors: Psychology, Social Work, Education
The Organized Planner
- Key Traits: Detail-oriented, practical, systematic
- Good Majors: Accounting, Finance, Law, Statistics
The Persuasive Leader
- Key Traits: Ambitious, energetic, persuasive, competitive
- Good Majors: Marketing, Political Science, Economics
The Hands-On Tinkerer
- Key Traits: Athletic, coordinated, tactical, love of outdoors
- Good Majors: Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Agriculture, Construction Management
Clearly there are certain majors better suited for particular natural inclinations. Assessments can validate preliminary instincts you may have about appropriate matches. They can also reveal hidden personality aspects to expand your considerations.
Other Factors to Weigh When Choosing a College Major
Your distinctive personality should be a guiding force when selecting a major, but not the only one. A few other helpful criteria to factor in include:
Subjects You Excel at in School
Think back on K-12 classes and note which academic areas came more naturally to you. Were you a star writer? A math whiz? Did you ace biology? Leverage your abilities.
Subjects That Intrinsically Interest You
Reflect on topics you read about, research, or explore in your personal time purely out of curiosity. Follow your intellectual passions.
Future Career Goals
Consider end goals. What industry or job role do you envision for yourself? Find compatible majors that provide relevant foundations.
Job Outlook and Salary Potential
Practical matters have a place too. Research prospects in potential fields and earnings data to make an informed choice.
School Program Quality and Offerings
Scan potential colleges’ program options under your desired major, faculty expertise, specializations, etc. to find the best fit.
Choosing Your College Major Path
Declaring your major marks a pivotal junction that reroutes your life’s trajectory. This fork should align with the inner compass of your personality so you stay on course to a bright future. By objectively assessing your natural disposition and innate interests through personality tests, you gain self-insights to illuminate the way.
Supplement test results with a holistic view of your abilities, curiosities, goals and practical considerations. Trust this multidimensional approach will lead you to the ideal college major and career direction. Then pursue your studies with energy and purpose, knowing you made the perfect personality match.
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16 Personalities Picking a College Major
How do I choose a major based on my personality?
Choosing a major that’s based on your personality can set you up for success in college and in your career path after graduation. Personality tests and research can help you decide on the right major for you and your interests.
How do I choose a major?
So, unquestionably, choosing a major is one of the most important decisions you will make. Take a scientifically valid interest inventory or career test, like Career Key Discovery, that measures your Holland personality types; Use a valid list of majors organized by Holland personality types, like those in:
What are some college majors for a personality type?
Some college majors for this type can include psychology, bioengineering, chemistry, criminal justice, law, political science or medicine. Social: This personality type has characteristics such as leadership and responsibility, and they prefer to work with others and enjoy connecting with people.
How does your personality affect your choice of a major?
Your passions can help you decide what major you want to pursue in college, but your personality can also influence your choice. Choosing a major that’s based on your personality can set you up for success in college and in your career path after graduation.
