A wave of actions impacting higher education since President Donald Trump took office in January has many college students on edge about their chosen fields.
Employee and program cuts to federal agencies ranging from the National Park Service to the IRS, along with funding reductions and cancellations in grants to university research projects, leave students wondering if jobs will be available post-graduation or if their majors will continue to exist.
To understand whether university students are still confident in their majors, EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps asked the following questions at eight California colleges and universities:
“Given the uncertainty around the future of higher education funding and shifting priorities from the federal government, would you have chosen a different major? What would you change it to, and why?”
(Click on the names or images below to read what each person had to say.)
“I really love what I am studying, but I’m starting to think I should have chosen a hard science major, like biology, rather than a soft one,” Trujillo said. She hopes to eventually earn a Ph.D. in neuropsychology and research the neurology of mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
“My main concern is research funding,” Trujillo explained. “A lot of people think that anything related to mental health is inherently ‘woke,’ and that’s problematic.” In recent weeks, the Trump administration has cancelled funding and active research grants at the National Institutes of Health for several projects perceived to be related to diversity, equity and inclusion. “Hard sciences have more (perceived) legitimacy to them, so maybe they won’t be affected as much.”
By Carissa Coane
“I would currently stay in the major I am in,” Katipunan said, crediting his father with introducing him to the subject “because he brought me to his lab.”
What kept him in the major, he said, “was my experiences both learning in the labs at school and also working as a lab assistant at a hospital down the street.”
Katipunan, who said he loves his major, feels that clinical lab work “is an essential job … that will just continue to grow over the next few years.”
By Stephinie Phan
“Science is one of the most important things there is. It’s not looking as bright for the STEM fields, but I am going to stick with it,” Schinhofen said.
Though she is aware of the federal government’s shift toward defunding science programs and firmly disagrees with the actions, she does not regret her decision to pursue a biology degree.
“I believe the best way to fight people trying to get rid of science is with science,” Schinhofen said.
By John Washington
“No, I wouldn’t have chosen a different major,” Preuss said. “Psychology is so impacted that I think there’s going to be a real fight in California to keep funding going into it. I might end up having to pay more for my education, but I’m not worried about opportunities in the field going away.”
He added that, for him, the major has offered more than just coursework — it’s delivered valuable life skills.
“Right now is a really important time to understand yourself and to understand other people, to be a good communicator,” Preuss said. “This major has given me that, and I can’t think of another that’s given me more practical skills.”
By Marc Duran
“I don’t think I would have chosen a different major,” Reyes said.
His confidence in sociology has only grown since he transferred from Santa Rosa Junior College, he said, crediting a smooth transition into upper-division coursework and a strong connection to the subject matter.
“On a personal level, I’m in love with my major. I resonate with most of what I’m learning, and I feel my growth as a learner,” Reyes said. “From what I studied in general ed to what I’m learning now, I feel like I’m coming into my own as a sociologist.”
By Marc Duran
“I wouldn’t change (my major), because I enjoy what I’m learning, and I think it’s one of the most important things that I can be learning right now,” Black said. “I want to work in community development or nonprofit management.”
She does, however, see practicality in other subjects. “I might have chosen a major like public administration that’s more transferable to different (industries) and more applicable to those fields.” Black also is considering taking more classes in economics.
“At the same time,” she said, “I think sociology is so important right now; if I hadn’t majored in sociology, I wouldn’t have gotten the same level of critical engagement with what is happening in the world.”
By Joshua Silla
“I transferred as a political science student but added a double major for social welfare with the impending changes of the administration, because I wanted to protect the same welfare programs that raised me,” Ghotra said.
She transferred to UC Berkeley from community college as a political science major after investing two years to prepare for completing the major. Following the shift in the federal government’s priorities, she wanted to protect welfare programs, and bridge the knowledge gap between those who would benefit from welfare programs and the programs themselves.
“I learn about welfare programs at the federal and the California level,” Ghotra said. “So I look at CalFresh, for example, and EBT. That’s actually a project I’m working on, is: How do we make that more accessible, more understandable for immigrant communities that may not be more familiar with English or hide away from bureaucratic processes?”
By Kelcie Lee
“I do regret my major because I have to do a lot of units and a lot of those classes have been downgraded or cut (by the Sonoma State budget cuts),” De Bord said. “I’m heading into my junior year (and) I’m sort of stuck. I’ve been impacted through the downgrading of classes, and overall I’m just unhappy.”
The blended liberal studies and credential program is a multiple subject major, which allows students to earn their teaching credentials in four years instead of six.
De Bord added that she is feeling “very nervous” about her education and future as a whole. “Given the political climate, a lot of cuts are being made, and it has made me very hesitant to continue my education, at least in California.”
By Ally Valiente
“My major (physics) is probably going to see a lot of funding shifted around,” French said, noting that there is high competition in the physics department, and attention to diversity, equity and inclusion programs is likely to be reduced.
“But honestly, it’s hard to imagine a major/field that won’t be extremely altered,” French said, “besides the ones where I’d (feel like I) have to sell my soul. So I’m not sure if I would switch my major for that reason specifically.”
By Jordan Montero
“I wouldn’t want to change it because health care is something that I’ve always wanted to pursue. I’ve chosen (my major) because I want to help others out, even if I’m not receiving help in return.”
Garcia said that her career as dental hygienist will allow her to “give back to people,” despite uncertainty in higher education and health care fields nationwide.
By Raina Dent
“Yes, I think I would have (switched majors),” Colvin says, “only because now that I am graduating and looking into careers I’m noticing … you can’t really get anything with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
Colvin explained that for her to be successful in the psychology field, she would have to go back to school for a master’s degree and also complete hundreds of clinical hours.
“I think I probably would have done a business major just because that’s also a very broad topic and there’s a lot of opportunities to explore out there,” Colvin said.
By Layla Bakhshandeh
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