About 40% of college students report that they want to pursue a career [1] in a field different from their major. This was according to a survey of some 4,168 college students, conducted in 2019 on a well-known job portal site.

While this may seem like an alarmingly high number, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Indeed, some might argue that pursuing a career in a field not directly adjacent to one’s major can allow for deeper growth and development (at least in the way of thinking.) 

Many liberal arts systems stress the importance of forming a strong general foundation [2] in subjects like language, math, science, society, history, and art. In this way, students are taught to think, rather than to memorize. By extension, after a 12-year education following this philosophy, students are then equipped with the skills to find a career path best suited to their interests. 

However, all of this naturally leads to the question: what is the value of college majors if they ultimately may not have any alignment [3] with one’s career? Would it be more meaningful, then, to abolish the “major” label completely? Some might argue that the university system, as it stands, only reinforces class barriers and wealth disparities.

Another question to consider: why do so many college students prefer to pursue a career in an area different from their field of study? Take a moment to think back to your educational experience. How did you (or how do you) go about selecting a college major? In what ways do you think your major will relate to your future career, if at all?