Lyndsay Maas Shares Tips for Choosing a College Major

A major is a field of study that you choose to focus on while in college, and it can help align with your career objectives. For instance, if you’re planning on becoming a teacher, you might choose to major in secondary or elementary education. Choosing a major is an important decision, and it’s not something that you should take lightly. Several tips will help you navigate the process and find a major that fits you best.

Educating Yourself

Before starting your college career, make sure that you thoroughly research the various major options available in your chosen school. This will allow you to identify areas that you’re passionate about, and you can find a program you can easily tap into. For instance, if you are a fan of science and math, focus on these subjects.

Evaluate Your Interest Areas

Your major can be affected by what interests you the most. For instance, choosing a major means, you’ll spend a lot of time studying a specific area. It’s essential to ensure you’re interested in learning more about that field. By choosing a major that aligns with your interests, you’ll be able to connect with people who share similar interests. This will allow you to develop rich professional and social connections after college.

Investigate Your Strengths

In college, you’ll have to work harder to achieve your goals and improve your thinking and abilities. But, it can be achieved if you find a major field that fits your strengths. Ask yourself if there are certain areas in your life where you excel. College would be more enjoyable if you dedicated your studies to a field you are passionate about. Success in this field will make your experience in college even more rewarding.

Get Help From an Advisor

After you have decided on a major or a specific field, it’s time to start receiving more detailed advice from an advisor or faculty member. Ask them to talk to you about their department and the various aspects of that field. In addition to the major itself, you’ll also need to know more about the career potential of the area and how it fits into your skill set.

Picture the Future

Although many majors have career paths attached, this is something that you need to explore. You will need to spend a lot of time and money pursuing a major to earn a livable wage in the future. Before you start looking for a career that you’re passionate about, make sure that you consider the potential income that it could provide you.

About Lyndsay Maas

Before this, however, she spent years focused on her own education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Antioch University, followed by a Master of Business Administration from California State University Channel Islands. Additionally, she took several accounting and general education courses from Santa Barbara City College. Early in her career, Lyndsay put her business knowledge to work in the private sector, operating in a few different analyst and treasury positions in the Santa Barbara, CA, area.

One of Lyndsay Maas’ first professional positions was working as an Operations Analyst for Santa Barbara Alpha Strategies. In that position, Lyndsay tracked and analyzed an investment portfolio worth $300 million. She developed many critical financial skills in this position, juggling complex spreadsheets and opening accounts for new hedge funds. Eventually, she transitioned to work as a Controller and Treasurer for Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc. This allowed her to stretch her financial skills further, as she was entirely responsible for managing the company’s financial operations. She managed several direct reports and critical banking relationships.

In 2013, however, Lyndsay Maas had the opportunity to pivot into the public sector. She took a position working as the Controller for Santa Barbara City College, where she had taken several classes during her academic years. All of Lyndsay’s previously honed skills became an asset in this position. With private sector experience, Lyndsay expertly managed the college’s general fund budget of $105 million. She managed a large team encompassing several smaller departments and ensured all record-keeping, reporting, and auditing were correctly done. Lyndsay collaborated closely with many other college officials to distribute funds, approve budgets and salary increases, and keep board members informed of crucial financial proceedings.