Many high schoolers feel the pressure to quickly determine their college majors to ensure success in future jobs.

Usually students are asked to consider prudent majors: those that lead to productive, financially rewarding careers.

Often, students are not prepared to decide on a major because they are not sure of their future careers.

Majors provide a path for students towards fulfilling professional aspirations.

“Deciding on a major early can help ensure that students finish their required credits and graduate on time. It could also offer additional opportunities, such as internships. However, knowing one’s major doesn’t always ensure success. Many times, people change their majors multiple times throughout college,” said college counselor Randy Fong.

Many majors lead to degrees for a wide variety of professions. Potential attorneys can major in philosophy, history, English or even microbiology. Despite common beliefs, careers are often open to various majors.

For example, 2016 presidential candidate Rand Paul is an ophthalmologist but managed to work his way into politics.

Dentist Derrick Yim said, “I majored in philosophy but still managed to get into medical school. What schools really want to see is that students are engaged with their studies, that students are motivated and have a solid academic profile.”

Students who do not know what they’ll major in may be a step behind those who know where they will focus their studies, but that does not mean they are shut out of possible future careers.