How to choose a major when studying in Canada?

Choosing a major in college entrance examination is the biggest headache for parents and students. In most cases, students' choices may affect their life. Just as farmers always decide what cash crops to plant next year according to what sells well this year, they all use the same forecasting method. In the second year, everyone is likely to find that the original choice is wrong, because there are more people planting, and the price will naturally fall. The same is true of the choice of university majors. Hot majors may far exceed the demand four years after graduation.

Personally, it is basically a very unreliable thing to choose a major according to the actual popularity. No one will know what you think a good major will be like in the next few decades. For example, people in investment banks wear suits, get high salaries, fly all over the world and stay in luxury hotels. For many young people who are new to the workplace and their parents, is there anything more decent? A few years ago, two of my good friends got MBA degrees and worked in an investment bank in Canada. Only I returned to China and entered the consulting industry. At that time, I was really ashamed. Whenever they call me overseas and draw a beautiful blueprint for my work, I secretly regret it. However, now my two good friends, one of whom has lost his job and decided to return to China, are still struggling for work every day and are worried. As a result, many people are confused. Was it right or wrong to choose a popular major? If you put a lot of energy into a major that you don't like and are struggling for, and this major coincides with the trough of your employment, is this a big detour?

Choosing one's favorite major or occupation may be a difficult equation for high school graduates in China. In addition to the economic returns and social status of majors and occupations, other factors that ultimately determine your career achievements are whether you like it or not; Whether it is appropriate; Whether to work hard; There is also a rare opportunity in life. How can young people correctly understand these factors and make career choices for themselves? After seven years of studying abroad, I have the following views and feelings:

First, I think you should go far away when you are young. Only when you are young can you have the energy to wander in life. It will let you see things you have never experienced before, and it will also extend your life radius longer. Yes, young people are restless and ignorant, daydreaming, so they dare to go out and wander. Studying abroad can make you experience more life, even if it is worthwhile to pay the price. Only in this way can you taste that days are no longer endless traffic jams, and nights are no longer endless TV dramas.

Secondly, in most western countries, especially Canada, the choice of major is not the final decision of the college entrance examination. The education of Canadian universities enjoys a high reputation all over the world. Her undergraduate education can be called general education, which can cultivate students' interests extensively, and only needs to determine the professional direction in her junior year. Before the final choice of major, college students have more opportunities, longer time and closer contact with society. In Canada, most students work and pay part of their living expenses or tuition fees. In China, this is still only the last resort of a few students from poor families; Canada's campus has no walls, and the school is well integrated into the community culture. This Christmas, I received many letters from students I sent abroad. One of them makes me feel very gratified. This student told me that he had just driven to the west from a university in eastern Canada and was going to work as an intern in a city planning company. At the beginning, the process of his going abroad was very tortuous, and his parents and almost all the elders in his family were very contradictory. They are well aware of the benefits of going abroad, but they will inevitably have various concerns. Through our contact, I really felt the growth of this student. His parents had hoped that he would study finance, but after studying and working in Canada for more than two years, he thought that land use and environmental management was a promising major in the future and became one of the few international students in this major. From an unconfident child to an independent young man, his transformation made me see the advantages of Canadian education, and also reminded me of many good memories about studying abroad.

In addition, Canadian universities also have their own specialties. How to determine your ideal major must pay attention to two factors: First, the choice of university. Due to the differences in time, geographical location and regional culture, Canadian universities have their own distinctive styles and unique advantages. For example, although the comprehensive ranking of Brook University is not high, its business, especially accounting, enjoys a high reputation in the industry, and it is one of the few universities in Canada that offer bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting; The University of Saskatchewan is remote, but its biotechnology ranks first in Canada and fourth in the world. Second, the choice of courses, because North American universities generally do not decide their majors until after their sophomore year, so the choice of majors is determined by the content, direction and achievements of the selected courses. Many foreign students in China feel a little overwhelmed when choosing courses. Blind course selection will have a certain impact on your future development and prolong your study time in the university. Therefore, the choice of schools before going abroad and the choice of specialized courses after arriving at school becomes very important.

Due to the unique advantages of IDP project office, we will have more opportunities to contact Canadian schools and get the latest information about schools and majors in time. At the same time, I hope that with my years of experience in studying, living and working in Canada and four years of experience in international education consulting in Canada, I can effectively help those students and parents who are determined to study in Canada. Nowadays, Canada's relaxed immigration policy for international students and more reasonable guarantee requirements have attracted many students who are interested in studying abroad. I believe that any student can find his own way to success under the guidance of his major.