How to Choose a Major or Career (Even When You Have No Idea)🤷♀️🤷♂️
Oct 08, 2025
Not sure what to major in or what career path to follow? You’re not alone. This guide from Get Career Curious walks Gen Z students and young adults through seven practical steps for exploring careers with confidence—without the pressure to “have it all figured out.” You’ll learn how to use college as your test lab, discover your strengths, talk to real professionals, and leverage AI-powered tools like the Career Compass to find a direction that fits your values, skills, and interests.
Feeling Lost? Why It’s Normal to Not Know Your Career Path 🫠
Choosing a major or career when you have no idea what you want to do can feel like standing at a crossroads with a blindfold on.
If you’re feeling the pressure to “figure it out,” take a deep breath. You’re not behind—and you’re definitely not alone.
Every year, millions of students start college undecided or change their major multiple times. Every year, millions of students start college undecided or change their major entirely. Changing your major is common—roughly 30 % of undergraduates switch their major at least once within the first three years, and about 10 % change majors more than once.
(Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Beginning Postsecondary Students Study, Institute of Education Sciences)
The truth? You don’t need a lifelong plan—you just need curiosity, courage, and a few smart tools to help you explore.
How to Explore Majors Without Stress (and Use College as Your Test Lab) 🎓🧪
College is your built-in career test lab. You’re surrounded by opportunities to try new things, learn about yourself, and figure out what clicks.
Take it from my daughter, Audrey, who started college on a full Division I volleyball scholarship without a clear idea of her major or career goals. I told her:
“Use your learning runway. Start with your Gen Eds.”
What Are General Education Courses?
General Education (Gen Ed) courses are required classes that cover a little bit of everything—writing, science, math, communication, and the humanities. They’re designed to help you explore before you specialize.
Audrey used her Gen Eds to “test-drive” different subjects and discover patterns in what she genuinely enjoyed.
Step 1: Discover What Energizes You 💡🔍
Before worrying about job titles, start by noticing what lights you up. Grab a journal (or open your Notes app) and jot down:
▪ Activities or classes you actually enjoy—even if they seem random
▪ Topics you find yourself Googling late at night
▪ Skills people often compliment you on
If your list looks messy, that’s a good thing. You’re collecting career data points. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s patterns.
Step 2: Use AI Tools and Career Assessments That Work 🧭📝
Skip the outdated quizzes that tell you you’re “a dolphin who should be a poet.”
Instead, try something modern and data-driven—like the Get Career Curious Career Compass, a free AI-powered career assessment that personalizes results to your strengths, interests, and values.
When Audrey used it, she got a list of careers that matched her profile plus a 30-day action plan to explore them. Suddenly, she wasn’t guessing—she had a roadmap.
Step 3: Learn from Real Professionals Through Informational Interviews 🎧👂
Audrey didn’t stop at assessments. She wanted to know what a “day in the life” really looked like for her top career options.
Through the Get Career Curious Podcast, she interviewed professionals in data science and management consulting—asking what fired them up, what challenges they faced, and what their days looked like.
Hearing real stories gave her a front-row seat to what those careers felt like, not just what they looked like on paper.
🎙️ Pro Tip: Before setting up your own informational interviews, browse the Get Career Curious interview library. If your dream career is already featured, start there—it’s like a backstage pass to the profession.
If it’s not there yet, DM me or message us on social—we’re always looking for new guests and might feature the role you’re curious about next!
Step 4: Build Connections That Clarify Your Direction 👥💬
Conversations lead to clarity. Reach out to:
▪ Alumni from your school in fields you’re curious about
▪ Professors or advisors who can connect you to professionals
▪ People on LinkedIn open to informational chats
Ask questions like:
“What do you love about your job?”
“What surprised you most?”
“What would you tell your younger self?”
Real stories beat online quizzes every time. They reveal what a career is actually like, not just how it sounds in theory.
Step 5: Follow What Feels Right (and Ditch What Doesn’t) ⚡❤️🔥
After exploring, Audrey discovered she loved math (plot twist!) but wasn’t as into programming.
She realized her ideal path combined analytical thinking, global impact, and financial stability.
Ask yourself:
“Does this path excite me and align with my values?”
If yes—keep going. If not—pivot. The right path often starts with paying attention to what energizes you.
Step 6: Pivot with Confidence 🔄🌈
Most people don’t stay in the same major—or even the same field—forever. In fact, a recent survey from Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) found that only 46 % of college graduates currently work in their field of study, while 29 % work in a completely different one (NGPF.org).
That’s not failure—it’s evolution.
I switched my major three times, and my life turned out just fine.
Your major doesn’t lock you in; it launches you forward. The transferable skills you gain—like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving—are gold in any industry.
Step 7: Trust the Process 🌿🕊️
Choosing a career isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a lifelong experiment.
You’re not behind; you’re becoming.
Focus on the next right step, not the final one. Every class, conversation, and curiosity adds a clue to your future.
🧭 The Career Curiosity Framework
Everyone loves clarity, so here’s a quick recap you can screenshot or share:
1️⃣ Notice what energizes you
2️⃣ Explore broadly through Gen Eds
3️⃣ Experiment with clubs, volunteering, and internships
4️⃣ Talk to real people
5️⃣ Reflect, refine, and pivot as you grow
Ready to Start? Try the Free Get Career Curious Career Compass 🚀
If you’re nodding along thinking, “Okay, but where do I start?”—start here.
The Career Compass from Get Career Curious is a free AI-powered tool that helps you:
▪ Identify your strengths and interests
▪ Discover potential careers that align with your values
▪ Create a 30-day exploration plan
It won’t give you a magic answer—but it will give you a starting line and practical next steps.
💬 What Students Are Saying
“I really liked how it gave me a 3-month timeline for exploring management consulting.” — Jack Z., Sophomore at University of Colorado
“It felt like a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ career book — super helpful and personal.” — Max G., Undecided Student
“It mapped out my medical path clearly and was so easy to use on ChatGPT.” — Finn H., Junior at University of Michigan
✨ About Get Career Curious
Get Career Curious empowers Gen Z students and young adults to explore careers through authentic stories, free AI-based tools, and actionable guidance.
Our mission: to make career exploration less overwhelming and more inspiring—one curious conversation at a time.
🎧 Listen to the Get Career Curious Podcast
📺 Watch real-life interviews on YouTube
🔍 FAQ
Q1: What should I do if I have no idea what to major in?
A: Start by exploring Gen Ed classes, joining clubs, and using AI career tools like the Get Career Curious Career Compass to identify your interests.
Q2: Can I change my major later?
A: Absolutely. Most students change their major multiple times—it’s part of the process.
Q3: How can I explore careers without pressure?
A: Conduct informational interviews, listen to career podcasts, and focus on curiosity instead of perfection.
