College is difficult enough with all the demands that it's placing on your time and brain power. Adding the critical task of choosing a major from the glut of different subjects is often enough to send students spiraling into a quarter life crisis. Do they want to become a or international business development agent? Do they like science or arts better? Which will get them a job? If you're having trouble choosing a major, consider these four factors in your decision making process.

Job Prospects

The whole point of post secondary schooling is to train you for your future job. Unfortunately, there are some areas of university study where your only career options are to do research or teach and there are others where the job market has recently contracted. So before you decide to spend your life doing internet marketing selling parts for Paco Pumps for example; into the job openings now and the expected job openings in a few years when you graduate. Your local employment office may be able to help.

Interest

Future moneymaking capacity may seem like the most important thing, but if you have no interest in your field of study you're setting yourself up for failure, or at least a difficult life. So think hard about whether you would actually enjoy being a proctologist or hairdresser before you choose to follow that major. If you're not familiar with the day to day life in a career field, shadowing someone who is already established in that field can give you a lot of insight, even if it's only for a day.

Your Capabilities

You may dream of becoming an aerospace engineer and designing passenger rockets for space travel, but do you really have what it takes to achieve this? If you find yourself hopeless at CAD modeling or unable to do calculus, you have to ask yourself if you're willing to put in the extra work at tutoring and help sessions in order to make up for your deficiency. In addition, some careers, such as a pilot and teacher, may be completely closed to you due to your physical capabilities or criminal history. Research the job requirements before you commit to a career path.

Availability

Another factor you should consider is whether you can study the major you want at your current school or whether you will have to arrange for a transfer. GPS frequency standards are not taught everywhere, and if you're really set on a career you may have to be willing to move elsewhere. If you're not, you'll need to choose something else, so consult the university's course calendar and talk to faculty heads to see what your options are before making your decision.