Career vs. Major: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on January 29, 2024
A career is a lifelong professional journey or occupation, while a major is a primary field of study chosen during academic pursuits.
Difference Between Career and Major
The concept of a career often invokes the image of one's professional life, spanning from early employment choices to retirement. It's an evolving path, where skills are honed, challenges met, and progress marked by roles or positions held. A major, on the other hand, is a specific focus or discipline an individual chooses to study at a tertiary institution. It often dictates the courses they enroll in and sets the foundation for knowledge in a particular field.
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
Diving deeper, a career is a broader, more encompassing term. It can involve multiple jobs, roles, and even shifts in industry over time. Individuals might start in one role and, through experience and growth, move into entirely different areas. Contrarily, a major is more confined. Though it's an academic choice that can influence one's career direction, it doesn't always define it. Someone might major in literature but choose a career in marketing, utilizing skills of analysis and communication.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 29, 2024
It's also worth noting the temporal nature of both terms. A career spans a significant part of one's life, potentially from their late teens to their 60s or even later. It's built over time, with experiences, successes, failures, and lessons along the way. A major, conversely, is typically chosen during one's late teens or early twenties and pursued over a few years, culminating in a degree or academic qualification.
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
In essence, while there's a relationship between the two – a major can be a stepping stone to a career – they operate in distinct spheres. A major offers tools, theories, and foundational knowledge. A career, meanwhile, is the practical application, the journey of using, adapting, and sometimes even discarding those tools in the real world.
Elijah
Jan 29, 2024
Career vs. Major Comparison Chart
Definition
Lifelong professional journey or occupation
Primary field of study in academic pursuits
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
Duration
Long-term (potentially life-long)
Short-term (usually a few years of study)
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Jan 29, 2024
Nature
Practical application in professional setting
Academic focus and theoretical learning
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
Flexibility
Can encompass multiple roles and industries
Fixed once chosen, though can be changed
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 29, 2024
End Result
Skills, experience, positions held
Degree or academic qualification
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
Career vs. Major Definitions
◉Career
A long-term professional journey or pursuit.
She built a successful career in finance over three decades.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023
◉Major
A primary field of study in college or university.
Sarah chose psychology as her major.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023
◉Career
Progression in one's professional or work life.
The promotion was a significant step in her career.
William
Sep 12, 2023
◉Major
The main subject of academic focus.
Despite majoring in arts, he had a keen interest in science.
Kaitlyn
Sep 12, 2023
◉Career
A particular profession or occupation.
Many young people aspire to a career in medicine.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
◉Major
The dominant discipline an undergraduate focuses on.
Her major was mathematics, but she minored in philosophy.
Levi
Sep 12, 2023
◉Career
An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life.
His career as a teacher spanned over 40 years.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
◉Career
A series of jobs held over a lifetime.
Throughout his career, he dabbled in various industries from tech to publishing.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023
◉Major
Great in number, size, or extent
the major portion of the population.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
The general course or progression of one's working life or one's professional achievements
an officer with a distinguished career.
a teacher in the midst of a long career.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
Doing what one does as a permanent occupation or lifework
career diplomats.
a career criminal.
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May 03, 2023
◉Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
To move forward at high speed, often with minimal control
"that lordly car ... How smoothly it ran. In what style they had come careering along the country roads!" (James Joyce).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
a major interval.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part of it.
Washington's career as a soldier
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May 03, 2023
◉Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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May 03, 2023
◉Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
an oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
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May 03, 2023
◉Major
(Law) One recognized by the law as having reached the age of adulthood.
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May 03, 2023
◉Career
To move rapidly straight ahead, especially in an uncontrolled way.
The car careered down the road, missed the curve, and went through a hedge.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
A race course: the ground run over.
To go back again the same career.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
A running; full speed; a rapid course.
When a horse is running in his full career.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part or calling in life, or in some special undertaking; usually applied to course or conduct which is of a public character; as, Washington's career as a soldier.
An impartial view of his whole career.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
the general progression of your working or professional life;
the general had had a distinguished career
he had a long career in the law
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
the major part of the assembly
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Career
move headlong at high speed;
The cars careered down the road
The mob careered through the streets
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
to earn some major cash
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
to suffer from a major illness
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
major scale
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
major third
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
a university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
she is a linguistics major
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
the principal field of study of a student at a university;
her major is linguistics
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
of greater importance or stature or rank;
a major artist
a major role
major highways
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May 03, 2023
◉Major
greater in scope or effect;
a major contribution
a major improvement
a major break with tradition
a major misunderstanding
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
greater in number or size or amount;
a major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
a major portion of the winnings
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
his major field was mathematics
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
of greater seriousness or danger;
a major earthquake
a major hurricane
a major illness
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Major
The specialization chosen by a student.
As a business major, John took several finance courses.
Lucas
Sep 12, 2023
◉Major
A principal course of study leading to a degree.
The university offered a major in environmental sciences.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023
Career vs. Major Frequently Asked Questions
What does major mean in college?
In college, a major is the primary field of study or specialization that a student chooses to focus on.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 29, 2024
Is a career only about paid employment?
No, a career can encompass paid employment, volunteer work, and other professional pursuits throughout one's life.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 29, 2024
What is a career?
A career refers to the progression of jobs or roles one pursues throughout their life, typically in a specific field or industry.
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
How often do people change their major in college?
It's not uncommon for students to change their major, sometimes multiple times, as they discover new interests and career prospects.
Leo
Jan 29, 2024
Can a career be unrelated to one's major?
Yes, many individuals pursue careers that are different from their college major, depending on opportunities and evolving interests.
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
How do internships impact a career and major?
Internships provide practical experience in a field, which can reinforce a student's choice of major or guide them toward a specific career path.
Levi
Jan 29, 2024
Can you have multiple careers in a lifetime?
Yes, many individuals transition between different roles, professions, or industries throughout their lives, either by choice or necessity.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 29, 2024
Do you have to work in the field you majored in?
No, while a major provides specialized knowledge, many skills are transferable, and people often explore careers outside their field of study.
Henry
Jan 29, 2024
Is it crucial for my major to align with my desired career?
While an aligned major can provide a solid foundation, many careers value a broad range of skills and knowledge, making it possible to enter various fields regardless of one's major.
Jonathan
Jan 29, 2024
Is choosing a major a definitive decision for my career?
While a major can guide your initial career direction, many factors, including experience, opportunities, and personal growth, influence one's career trajectory.
Muazma Batool
Jan 29, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
