Author: Henry Debajyoti Ghatak
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03090010
Abstract: This study explores how the choice of college major influences long-term career success, using a qualitative approach that centers on personal narratives, lived experiences, and contextual factors. While conventional wisdom often suggests a direct link between academic specialization and professional achievement, this research investigates the deeper, more nuanced pathways through which individuals shape their careers over time.Drawing on interviews with graduates from diverse academic backgrounds—including liberal arts, sciences, commerce, and interdisciplinary studies—the study maps how early academic decisions interact with evolving aspirations, socio-cultural influences, and workplace realities. Participants reflect on their motivations for selecting a major, the role of institutional culture, mentorship, and family expectations, and how their education shaped their career identity, adaptability, and values. The research also considers how gender, regional context, and institutional reputation affect access to opportunities and perceptions of success.Findings reveal that while some majors offer structured career trajectories, many individuals achieve long-term success through nonlinear paths, often guided by transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning. The study highlights that career success is not solely determined by academic discipline but is shaped by personal agency, resilience, and the ability to integrate learning across domains. Interdisciplinary education, in particular, emerges as a powerful tool for fostering innovation and flexibility in a rapidly changing job market.This research contributes to ongoing discussions in education policy, career guidance, and curriculum reform by emphasizing the importance of holistic learning environments and inclusive career support systems. It encourages educators, students, and policymakers to move beyond rigid academic frameworks and recognize the diverse ways in which higher education can nurture meaningful, sustainable careers.
Keywords: College major, Career success, Transferable skills, Career identity, Institutional culture, Lifelong learning.
Page No: 90-96