The Confusion in Selecting Major

Choosing a major is a process that requires time and careful thought. By considering interests, doing research, and consulting with others, prospective students can make better decisions and be more confident in choosing their educational path.

However, choosing a major when going to university can also be challenging for some people as this decision not only influences the educational path that will be taken, but can also have an impact on future career and life. There are many factors to consider, such as personal interests, academic capabilities, job prospects and the demands of the job market. In addition, pressures from the surrounding environment, such as the expectations of parents and friends, can also add complexity to this decision-making process.

There are many students who, after completing their high school education, have difficulty in choosing a major that suits their interests and talents. In fact, many students experience mistakes in choosing a major that matches their interests and potential, which can have a negative impact on learning motivation, academic performance, and future career satisfaction. This phenomenon causes many students to feel unsuitable for the majors they take or commonly called "Wrong Majors". Thus, when students start their careers in the world of work, many of them find that the work they do is not in line with the majors they have taken.

According to Nadiem Makarim as the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, 80 percent of Indonesian students work not in accordance with their study program while only 20 percent of students work in accordance with their study program.
"Do you know, how many percent of our graduates follow their study program when they work? A maximum of 20 percent," Nadiem said in a dialog uploaded by the University of North Sumatra's YouTube channel.

There was also a growing assumption in the community that Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) graduates tend to have careers as bank employees after completing their education. This is also proven by a statement from an IPB professor
"Yes, that is the reality. Back in our (batch), more than 50 percent worked in banking," Dwi said when contacted by one of the media on Wednesday.

This shows how important career guidance and understanding our own interests and talents are because by doing so, we can make more informed and strategic decisions in choosing education and career paths that match our potential and aspirations. Thus, we can increase our chances of academic and professional success and achieve our desired career goals. In addition, effective career guidance can also help reduce the stress and confusion that students often experience when choosing a major, allowing them to be more focused and productive in achieving their educational goals.