“Choosing a Major & Career Development”

MSA Mentorship “Choosing a Major & Career Development”

It’s all a theme… What are YOUR questions? Tons of personalization in this process, so we have to treat them individually

It’s all a theme… You can STILL learn so much about how we deal with the problem – break it down, what’s the issue, what are systematic steps to take EMULATE THE THINKING and apply to your own situation What are YOUR questions? Tons of personalization in this process, so we have to treat them individually

It’s all a theme… So much of life, education, and religion is THEMATIC Focus on the principles and the way of thinking and you will thrive

The Major & The Career MAJOR = main focus (plus a nice paper degree) Career = logical next step into working world The two are often discussed interchangeably and you won’t have to concern yourself with the detailed differences… for your purposes the college major should be the first focus built upon what you want to LEARN for the next 4-12 years

The Major & The Career Look forward to the clean slate that freshmen year of college gives you! MAJOR = main focus (plus a nice paper degree) Career = logical next step into working world The two are often discussed interchangeably and you won’t have to concern yourself with the detailed differences… for your purposes the college major should be the first focus built upon what you want to LEARN for the next 4-12 years

Don’t Take the Extremist Mentalities… Person 1 “I know exactly what I want to do I’m only going to focus on this” Closes your mind / makes you static

Don’t Take the Extremist Mentalities… Person 2 “I don’t have any idea what I want to major in let alone know what career to choose” Person 1 “I know exactly what I want to do I’m only going to focus on this” Closes your mind / makes you static You don’t do anything awesome or even well

Don’t Take the Extremist Mentalities… Person 2 “I don’t have any idea what I want to major in let alone know what career to choose” Person 1 “I know exactly what I want to do I’m only going to focus on this” Closes your mind / makes you static You don’t do anything awesome or even well Strive to achieve a balance and only take the good from both mentalities

Don’t Take the Extremist Mentalities… Person 2 “I don’t have any idea what I want to major in let alone know what career to choose” Person 1 “I know exactly what I want to do I’m only going to focus on this” Closes your mind / makes you static You don’t do anything awesome or even well Strive to achieve a balance and only take the good from both mentalities Depth vs. Breadth again!

So for Your First Year… It’s a clean slate and it’s a real slate (unlike high school which is so-so) Don’t sweat it hard in high school just enjoy doing what you love and acquire skills and research majors and careers FOR FUN, not out of anxiety

So for Your First Year… It’s a clean slate and it’s a real slate (unlike high school which is so-so) Don’t sweat it hard in high school just enjoy doing what you love and acquire skills and research majors and careers FOR FUN, not out of anxiety The hard weed-out intro classes are good for you because they determine who has the passion

So for High School… You want to have a niche, something that looks good that is your special talent. Try to be the best at THAT thing! At least for the sake of having a focused application

So for High School… You want to have a niche, something that looks good that is your special talent. Try to be the best at THAT thing! At least for the sake of having a focused application You have to tangibly show that you’ve looked into and be able to explain it which you won’t be able to do if it’s not real!

Majors & Minors What matters is your MAJOR… Period. don’t lose sight of this… ever.

Majors & Minors What matters is your MAJOR… Period. don’t lose sight of this… ever. Minors are not that important – don’t do it if it even remotely affects your performance in your major

Majors & Minors What matters is your MAJOR… Period. don’t lose sight of this… ever. Minors are not that important – don’t do it if it even remotely affects your performance in your major For high school students, minors shouldn’t even come to mind

Big Picture Big misconception: You will work in the exact role your degree is designed for… guess again

Big Picture Big misconception: You will work in the exact role your degree is designed for… guess again First determine: “Where is the passion!? Where might I become #1?”

Big Picture Big misconception: You will work in the exact role your degree is designed for… guess again First determine: “Where is the passion!? Where might I become #1?” Early matters because time is the most valuable commodity in life Focus on thinking in this framework

Big Picture Big misconception: You will work in the exact role your degree is designed for… guess again You will see that the skill sets overlap and the learning process is what matters First determine: “Where is the passion!? Where might I become #1?” Early matters because time is the most valuable commodity in life Focus on thinking in this framework

Something I Want or My Parents Want… Balancing the passion with practicality

Something I Want or My Parents Want… Balancing the passion with practicality Never force the people who can’t engage with the “doctor/lawyer/engineer” into them – you’re setting them up for failure. If you do feel even partially excited by them, nurture that, and find other ways to pursue your “less pragmatic interests” as hobbies and side jobs

Something I Want or My Parents Want… Balancing the passion with practicality Try to COMBINE and always happily explore – DON’T be torn Never force the people who can’t engage with the “doctor/lawyer/engineer” into them – you’re setting them up for failure. If you do feel even partially excited by them, nurture that, and find other ways to pursue your “less pragmatic interests” as hobbies and side jobs

Top 10 Universities… So What? It all boils down to OPPORTUNITY

Top 10 Universities… So What? It all boils down to OPPORTUNITY Top 10 have great departments in EVERYTHING whereas the not Top 10 might only have a few or one exceptional department. If you know that’s the department for you, more power to you. In the more likely case that you don’t, that’s a HUGE reason to crave Top 10

Top 10 Universities… So What? It all boils down to OPPORTUNITY Don’t sweat what you chose to tell people… be confident in whatever you pick! Top 10 have great departments in EVERYTHING whereas the not Top 10 might only have a few or one exceptional department. If you know that’s the department for you, more power to you. In the more likely case that you don’t, that’s a HUGE reason to crave Top 10

There’s Always a Way to Show… Programs, internships, classes, online courses ALL EXIST. There is NO EXCUSE for you to not have something tangible to show for your passion. If it’s not accessible, make it accessible – make it yourself if you have to!

There’s Always a Way to Show… Programs, internships, classes, online courses ALL EXIST. There is NO EXCUSE for you to not have something tangible to show for your passion. If it’s not accessible, make it accessible – make it yourself if you have to! Learn how to explain how the fundamental classes – your English, math, science, etc. connect to your specific passion

The Rare Major Trick… Smart tactic and can be very fruitful if you’re cautious on the angle you take it…

The Rare Major Trick… Smart tactic and can be very fruitful if you’re cautious on the angle you take it… Specificity | Your Unique Talent | Substance

The Rare Major Trick… Smart tactic and can be very fruitful if you’re cautious on the angle you take it… Specificity | Your Unique Talent | Substance Don’t try to trick Admissions… but use the idea to your advantage

The Rare Major Trick… Smart tactic and can be very fruitful if you’re cautious on the angle you take it… Specificity | Your Unique Talent | Substance Don’t try to trick Admissions… but use the idea to your advantage You’re dealing with people!

The Rare Major Trick… Smart tactic and can be very fruitful if you’re cautious on the angle you take it… Colleges want a variety of people but you MUST be able to SUPPORT why you are unique! Specificity | Your Unique Talent | Substance Don’t try to trick Admissions… but use the idea to your advantage You’re dealing with people!

Main Takeaways Muslims, more than any community, just need CONFIDENCE.

Main Takeaways Muslims, more than any community, just need CONFIDENCE. Don’t EVER feel unconfident and don’t EVER feel overconfident

Main Takeaways Muslims, more than any community, just need CONFIDENCE. Don’t EVER feel unconfident and don’t EVER feel overconfident College is a clean slate bearing only big picture ideas/principles from high school

Main Takeaways Muslims, more than any community, just need CONFIDENCE. Don’t EVER feel unconfident and don’t EVER feel overconfident College is a clean slate bearing only big picture ideas/principles from high school You MUST have the conversation and build communication with your parents… you probably will have to start it

“Choosing a Major & Career Development”