Find Your Fit: How to Choose a Major That Works for You
Choosing a college major can feel overwhelming. It’s like standing at a crossroads with dozens of possible paths stretching before you. And it's even harder when you are an adult balancing work and family responsibilities.
You’re not alone. Choosing what to study is hard for a lot of people. A survey of 1,000 community college students by consulting firm EAB found choosing a major was an obstacle for 24% of respondents. It was a reason why more than half of the students felt like quitting school before classes even began.
Read on for practical steps to navigate this important decision. Get perspectives from CLC staff who work one-on-one with adult learners.
Jump to sections
- Why it’s stressful to choose a major
- Define your academic goal
- Consider your strengths and interests
- Factor in your lifestyle and commitments
- Match majors to careers
- Take an introductory course and learn from experts
- Explore support systems
- Get started on your journey
- Choosing your future at CLC
Why it's stressful to choose a major
“Choosing a major can be a stressful experience for adult students,” says Benjamin Castillo. He is a Career and College Navigator (CCN) at College of Lake County (CLC). He helps adult students chart a path to achieve their academic and career goals.
“Adult learners tend to already be in the workforce. They’re supporting themselves and often their families. This adds stress because they might need to choose a program of study that fits their schedules. Or improves their career prospects. For them, there might be a lot more at stake in choosing the ‘right’ program,” he says.
The cost of going to school ramps up the pressure. So does being unsure how long it will take to earn a degree or career certificate. All this weighs on adult students when it comes to selecting a course of study.
The good news: You don’t have to decide what to study alone. At CLC you get guidance, flexibility and real-world options. This helps you select a major with confidence. One that aligns with your goals, interests, lifestyle and finances.
Explore options for adult learners
Start with your “why” to define your goal
The first step in choosing a major is understanding why you’re going to college.
Do you want to change careers? Advance in your current job? Gain skills for a promotion? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to complete a degree to fulfill a personal goal.
Adult learners attend College of Lake County (CLC) for these reasons and more. Some are returning to school to complete a degree they started but never finished. Others realize they need new or different skills to get ahead at work. Some want to start a career or switch to a new job in a high-demand field to better support their families.
Understanding your motivation helps narrow your choices. It serves as a filter. As a result, you are better prepared to choose a program to study that delivers your long-term goals.
Adult students get personalized help
Whatever your “why,” you won’t be the only busy adult in class. At CLC, the average age of students is 25 and 74% attend school part time, according to the CLC Community Impact Report 2025.
You won’t be alone in choosing what to study. Your team at CLC guides you through the process. Your College and Career Navigator and Academic Success Advisor offer one-on-one support. They help you explore careers, choose a study program and transfer to a four-year college or university, if that is your goal.
“Everyone’s situation is different. Getting that personalized guidance is really helpful,” says Barbara Billimack. She is the career readiness manager for CLC’s Career and Job Placement Center.
Career specialists at the center help you assess your skills. And you can get career experience through part-time jobs, internships and apprenticeships. The career center can help you find a full-time job after you complete your degree.
Explore options for adult learners
Consider your strengths and interests
Your talents, skills and passions should play a big role in choosing a major. To help define these strengths, many students take a career assessment. They end up learning a lot about themselves.
An assessment helps you discover what you’re good at and how this connects to a career.
It asks questions about your interests, personality, values, skills and aptitudes. Then it suggests careers that are a good fit for you. When you understand your natural abilities, you can choose a major that fits you best. This gives you an advantage from the start.
Let’s face it: Switching majors because your first choice wasn’t a good fit is a waste of time and money. And you don’t want to work in a field that doesn't match your strengths and interests. You'll only feel miserable and frustrated.
Take a career assessment sooner than later
Students at CLC usually take career assessments with their College and Career Navigator. You also can do this with an Academic Success Advisor or Career Services Specialist.
An assessment can be invaluable, says Barbara Billimack. She is the career readiness manager for CLC’s Career and Job Placement Center. A popular assessment tool is called Career Coach.
It shines a light on “Who am I? What am I looking for? Where are my interests? What are my values when it comes to work? What are my skills? What are my strengths? What is my personality?” she explains.
These insights can confirm that you’re on the right track for choosing a major. They also may open your eyes to new possibilities.
Explore options for adult learners
Factor in your lifestyle and commitments
Adult students often juggle many responsibilities, like work schedules, families and financial obligations. Choosing a major that fits your lifestyle can mean the difference between stress and success.
Take a realistic look at what you have going on in your life. Where do you have flexibility in your schedule? What obligations are set in stone? How does timing factor into your studies?
Know what opportunities are available to you
Annie Durava is a College and Career Navigator at College of Lake County (CLC). She helps adult students explore study options to match their lifestyle and commitments.
“Often, the time it takes to complete a program can impact an adult learner’s decision to pursue certain programs,” explains Durava.
“For example, if you want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, it’s important to explore short-term certificates or fast-track options. If you want to earn a bachelor's degree, it's good to know what degree plans offer the best opportunity to transfer,” she says.
Opportunities for study at CLC include:
- Career certificates, which take four months to two years to complete. Some are stackable, meaning you can stack them together to earn an associate degree. Fast-track options let you complete more than one certificate at the same time.
- Associate degrees take about two years to complete. They prepare you to enter the workforce right away.
- Transfer degrees also take about two years to finish. Then you transfer to a four-year college as a junior to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Some study programs offer flexibility. You can complete them online, in the evenings or weekends to better fit your schedule. This helps you focus on work and family while attending school. Flexible-start classes begin later in the semester. They give you more time to register and adjust your schedule.
Consider your commitments and long-term vision when choosing a major. It will help you choose a study program that’s realistic and rewarding.
Think about the future and match majors to careers
It’s not just what you’ll study but where that study can take you. Explore the bigger picture by researching career paths linked to different study areas.
You can do this by talking to experts and getting work experience through local employers. At CLC, you also have access to career exploration tools.
Experience what a career is like firsthand
You can learn a lot from internships, apprenticeships and work study opportunities. Hands-on experience helps you decide if a field is a good fit for you. Local employers offer opportunities to learn in the workplace while you are completing your courses. In addition to learning skills that complement classroom learning, you can build your professional network. Many opportunities are paid. Apply for these programs through the Career and Job Placement Center at CLC.
Other experiences include job shadowing. This lets you ‘try’ a job or industry for a short period of time to see if it’s something you want to pursue. You can observe a professional doing the job you are considering and see what a typical day looks like. Other exploration activities include talking to employers at career fairs held on campus, taking field trips to visit employers, and completing assignments in your program of study.
“You also can volunteer and do informational interviews to gain insights and develop your skills,” says Barbara Billimack. She is the career readiness manager at the Career and Job Placement Center.
Billimack encourages students to log onto the Handshake platform. It connects you with employers hiring for internships and part-time roles. Handshake and other center resources are helpful not only when you finish your studies, but also while you are enrolled at CLC. The Career & Job Placement Center helps you find positions with local employers to build your skills and experience.
Real-world experiences matter. When you use them to help choose a major, you can feel confident that you’re on the right path.
Look at growth fields in Lake County, IL and beyond
Look for industries that are growing and hiring new employees when choosing a major. This can increase your chances of job security and higher earnings.
The CLC website has career outlooks for more than 150 study programs. The outlook tool identifies available job types and the wages you can earn in Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois. It helps you evaluate job prospects. And decide whether a study program will deliver your career expectations.
CLC also works with local employers and partners like Lake County Workforce Development. The goal is to prepare students for jobs in high-demand industries. This includes healthcare, manufacturing, education and clean energy.
While practical factors are important in choosing a major, feeling good about what you study matters too. Your major isn’t just about a paycheck—it can enrich your life and reflect your values.
Consider transferability
Some careers require a bachelor’s degree.
Many students save money on a bachelor's degree by starting their education at CLC. You can save $33,000 on average on tuition and fees by spending your first two years at the community college, finds the CLC Community Impact Report 2025. Then you can transfer your credits to a four-year college or university to complete your studies.
If you want to get a bachelor's degree, it is critical to choose a transfer-friendly major.
Your Academic Success Advisor can help you do this. And make sure the classes you take meet your transfer school's requirements.
The Illinois Articulation Agreement guarantees that select general education courses transfer to more than 100 participating colleges and universities in the state.
CLC has Guaranteed Transfer Admission agreements that provide seamless transfers to many colleges. You also can complete a bachelor’s degree through the University Center in Grayslake.
Explore options for adult learners
Take an introductory course and learn from experts
If you’re unsure which major feels right, start with an introductory class in an area that interests you.
This can serve two purposes: The class may satisfy general education requirements. It also can spark new passions.
It's affordable to explore your options at College of Lake County (CLC). The tuition and fees are considerably lower than at four-year colleges.
CLC faculty also can provide significant insights. They have real-world experience in the fields they teach. They are happy to discuss what “a-day-in-the-life” looks like for specific careers. These conversations can provide clarity that goes beyond course descriptions or job postings.
Explore options for adult learners
Explore support systems
Already know what you want to study? Need some help deciding? Either way, the right support systems can help you succeed in school and in life.
You are not on this journey alone, reminds Ish Campos. He is a College and Career Navigator at College of Lake County (CLC). He urges adult students to use the free and low-cost services available at the school.
Free and low-cost services help you choose a major, succeed in life
“Many adult students balance college with work, family and other responsibilities. Having access to academic and career advising, tutoring and financial aid helps reduce barriers to success,” says Campos.
“Flexible start times and multiple class formats—online, evening, hybrid, accelerated—are critical. They allow adults to fit education into their schedules,” he adds.
Get access to free and affordable textbooks, free loaner laptops and free Wi-Fi hot spots that you can borrow.
Take advantage of low-cost childcare at the Children’s Learning Center, located at the Lakeshore and Grayslake Campuses. The licensed centers provide a safe and nurturing environment for children while parents attend class.
CLC offers ways to boost your well-being. These include gym memberships and mental health counseling. Get low-cost massage therapy, dental hygiene, fitness training and wellness coaching. When you feel good mentally and physically, you’re more likely to achieve success.
The SHARE Market is a food and resource pantry for enrolled students at the Grayslake and Lakeshore Campuses. The LEAF Emergency Fund helps you with unexpected bills. For example, you can get help paying for a surprise car repair so you can drive to school to attend class.
CLC also works with community partners to provide support to students. This includes the Job Center of Lake County, which has grants to help students who need assistance.
The Community Resource Coordinator at CLC provides housing assistance and works with many community partners to get you the resources you need.
CLC is here to help you be successful, says Campos.
“The resources at CLC make enrollment more accessible. And they make adult learners feel supported throughout their academic and career journey.”
Next steps: How to get started
If you’re ready to explore programs of study, here are concrete steps you can take:
- Meet with a College and Career Navigator (CCN) to talk about your goals, interests and options.
- Take a career assessment to evaluate your strengths and interests.
- Take an introductory course to explore your interests.
- Talk with faculty to get the inside track on what careers are really like.
- Review financial aid and class scheduling options to fit your life.
- Explore free and low-cost support services to help you succeed in class.
- Choose a career certificate, associate degree or transfer degree and start learning!
Connect with a CCN for adult learners
Choosing your future at CLC
Choosing a major is more than picking what to study—it’s about choosing your future. For adult students, the decision comes with unique challenges and opportunities. But College of Lake County (CLC) is here to support you with a clear and flexible process.
We help you
- reflect on your goals
- explore career opportunities
- access available resources
- choose a program of study that meets your needs today and creates opportunities for tomorrow
“We want to see you succeed and are here to provide the support in any way that we can,” says Ish Campos. He is a CLC College and Career Navigator who works with adult students.
Your journey doesn’t end with choosing a major—it’s where it begins. At CLC, get the guidance, support and confidence you need to move forward, wherever your path leads.
Explore options for adult learners