December 18, 2006 11:36 AM

Choosing a major not so minor
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 11:36 AM

From Boston.com comes this story about the difficulty some college students are having choosing a major:

Colleges around the country are devoting more time, money and staff power to students who can't decide on a major, concerned that many of them will leave school without graduating or will prolong their college careers and take up precious spots for prospective students. Indecision can be costly for students, as well, in times of rising tuition.

College officials say many students were so focused on extracurricular activities in high school that they spent little time considering career choices.

Now I understand what they are saying, but I'm just not sure high school is the best time to be focused on career choices, though some exposure and thinking about it are both good and natural.

But since when did extracurriculars count against you? Those are the very non-academic, outside-the-classroom activites that help you learn more about yourself, your likes and dislikes, your leadership skills, your ability to work with others, and a host of others things. Plus they are a fun and necessary diversion from the studying grind and pressure on today's kids.

So now extracurriculars are taking up too much time? Time that should be spent exploring career options? Please. Let's keep things in perspective. With one child mid-way through college and another in high school - and working where I do - I am the first to preach the value of career exploration and awareness.

But let's also let them be kids and be happy and engaged in activities they are naturally drawn to, whether sports, the school newspaper, the rocket club, debate team, cheerleading squad - whatever. That's an important part of the developmental process.

Later these experiences will form a vital part of their understanding about themselves and what they might wish to pursue professionally, along with any early work experiences they may have had, parental advice, Uncle Bob's arm-around-the-shoulder exhortations about plastics or biotech, etc. etc.

But let's not rush it. Contrary to some other educational systems, such as those in western Europe, the US prolongs specialization in favor of exploration and a general grounding across all fields. And I agree. Too much focus too soon is, in my view, not a good thing.

Choosing a major? Yes, very important. And most students will need assistance sorting out the options. But these same students will be better equipped to make the choice with fuller self-knowledge gained from a variety of pursuits in their early years, not simply a focus on classroom studies.