Changing Majors: My Road to Business

Allow me to drive you around in the way-back machine for just a minute...

I was young.  And confused.  And thin, but that's neither here nor there.  I was in college, majoring in Accounting.  Ah, those were the days.  I lived and breathed my accounting classes, firmly believing I had found my calling in life.

And then, I found myself falling asleep during my homework.  I wasn't exhausted or anything... I was bored.  Now, before I get a thousand emails from accountants and bookkeepers about how exciting their job is, I'm not saying you're boring... in fact, if you can make that job exciting, you are a truly awesome person.  It just wasn't for me, and that was all there was to it.

So, a change was in order.  I really wasn't sure where to go from there, to be honest.  I wanted to stay in the same career family because I knew I could thrive in an office setting.  I just knew I could perform well at any business in town.  And when I said those words to the college counselor, he checked a couple of boxes on his change of major form, signed it, and handed it to me.  Without even realizing what had happened, he enrolled me in the Business major.

And life was no longer boring.

It can be a really scary thing, switching from one field to another.  For me, since the majors were a bit overlapping in many ways, the transition wasn't terrible.  For those of you who have changed careers and went in a completely different direction than you had originally planned, you have a bravery the likes of which I'll never understand.

The transition to business from accounting could have been a bit harder, I suppose.  I was lucky in that I had a great support system at my college: I had several professors and the counselor that kept me motivated and in-check when it seemed like I was going off the academic rails.  Having people to watch out for you, even when your decisions don't impact them directly, is a great comfort when you're treading the waters of academic transition.  Because of that great support system, I got my degree in Business and now have a job in which I can network and use my skills to benefit my family and myself.  If I had stayed in accounting, I don't think I would be where I am now.  And where I am now makes me happy.

Have you ever changed majors or careers?  Would you do it again?  What advice can you give to people who are thinking about making a big change in their lives?

Whether you’re seeking further success in your current role or a new opportunity, Kaplan University can help you prepare for the exciting possibilities ahead.*

As an accredited university built on more than 75 years of experience,† Kaplan University offers a wide range of career-focused programs designed to develop the skills and knowledge leading employers seek. Our focus: to offer you the most direct educational path to achieve your goals.

Are you ready for a change?  Learn more at kaplanuniversity.edu. 

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I link up at these great parties!

I link up at these great parties!