How do I go about selecting a major in college?

I'm currently a junior in high school, and I'm starting to think about what I want to study in college. What are some steps or factors I should be considering when choosing a major?

Choosing a major is definitely a significant decision, and I'm glad you're starting to think about it. Here's a step-by-step approach you could take:

1. Self-Reflection: Start by reflecting on your interests, skills, and passions. What subjects do you enjoy in school? Which topics are you craving to learn more about outside of school? Also, think about your future. What careers interest you?

2. Career Research: Research these careers and see what majors typically lead to them. Keep in mind that many majors can lead to a wide variety of professions, so there isn't usually a one-to-one correlation.

3. College Curriculum: Once you have a list of potential majors, examine the curricula of these majors at the colleges you're interested in. What classes would you take? Do they grab your interest? Important here is also to look if there's flexibility in the curriculum to let you explore and change your mind, should your interests shift.

4. Real-world Experience: Try gaining some experience in some of your potential fields of interest. You can do this by volunteering, interning, or even shadowing professionals in that field. This will give you some boots-on-the-ground perspective about whether you might like working in that field long term.

5. Talk to People: Speak with college students or graduates in those majors or people working in the fields you're interested in. They might provide insight that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise and can give you a sense of what the field is truly like.

6. Space for Changes: Remember, it's okay to change your major. Many students switch their major at least once in college, so choose a college that makes changing majors relatively painless, just in case.

Overall, choosing a major should be a balance of your interests, long-term goals, and market demand. It should be something you're passionate about, but also bear in mind the careers it could potentially lead to. Best of luck as you navigate this decision!