A few days ago, I caught up with a former mentor about what she’d been up to in the years since we’d last seen each other.  Of course, the conversation turned to work.  She told me about the prestigious job she’d recently left, as she explained how demanding and unhappy she’d been in the role.  I asked her, “What would you have done differently?”  Without hesitation, she answered, “I would have been an accountant.”  That’s not the answer you expect to hear from a well-respected mental health professional, and yet, I’ve found it’s an incredibly common one across many fields of work when I speak with clients in my office.

The college major you select affects your overall happiness.

Think about it.   The decision of college major made between the tender ages of 18 and 21 has a ripple effect of the rest of your life.  Things like career possibilities, earning potential, job stability, professional growth, and job satisfaction have huge implications for personal goals, emotional and physical health, and overall quality of life.  This one decision can either propel your life to brighter futures or stagnate it.

Have you ever dreading waking up to go to a job you hated?

If you have, you know how difficult it can be to put one foot in front of the other every morning.   Maybe you’ve seen the limitations of your loved ones’ professional decisions.  You don’t want to look at your life and think, “If someone had told me then, I would have chosen differently,” or “If I wish there would have been a way to know this back then.”  There is a way to prepare students for selecting a college major that leads to a fulfilling career.

Aptitude tests can help young adults identify college majors and make informed decisions about their future.

Aptitude tests uncover strengths and personal values that aren’t easily observable or that young adults may be unaware of.  You’re probably wondering why these are important. Well, picking a major that leads to a career aligned with your strengths and values increases the likelihood of job satisfaction and reaching personal goals, like traveling, having a family, owning a house, and saving for retirement.  It also reduces the probability of situational and job-related stress, anxiety, and depression at arise when trying to make ends meet or doing a job you dislike.

Aptitude testing does not stop self-exploration in college; it drives it.

Aptitude tests highlight a short-list of potential college majors best suited for your personal values and attributes.  You can then decide which ones are most appealing, and focus your time and efforts by taking classes, joining campus organizations, or getting internships related to those areas.  If you like what you’re learning and doing, it will help you build your professional network and resume to land that first job after graduation.  If you don’t like what you’re seeing, then you’ll still have time to shift gears to one of the other majors on your short-list you will enjoy professionally.

Work smarter and efficiently with your natural abilities, not harder or against them.

Aptitude testing during junior and senior year of high school or college freshmen can also provide the remaining years of school with new meaning.  It can kick ‘senioritis’ in the butt and keep you motivated to perform well.  Because you’ll know your goals, you’ll have greater focus and intention when learning new information and how it applies to the real world.

The last thing you want is to live with regrets what could’ve been like my former mentor.  You don’t want that for yourself.  Much less for your kids.  If the question, “What should you major in?” is hanging over your head or that of your kids, then call us at (305) 501-0133 or click here to schedule a free Clarity Consult during which we can help you explore how aptitude testing can give you the insights you need to make the best decisions for a promising future.