A college major is one of the most crucial and influential decisions a person will make in their life. This important choice has the power to determine what a person will do for the rest of their life. Students across the country are challenged with this task every year because they are unable to find a path of study that is compatible with their ideal career and favorable interests. Traditional majors are known for providing a broad education and producing well-rounded students ready and able to work in various jobs. However, today it is difficult to enter the world of work. Students with more specific studies experience greater success in finding jobs after college. For this reason, individualized study programs have exploded across the country. Individualized Studies is a “create your own major” approach to education. These programs allow students to design and customize their college education by combining courses from various areas of study. Individualized studies students leave college with a unique major printed on their diploma. With the opportunity to create their own majors in college, students pursuing individualized studies receive a personalized education and achieve their ideal job. Students base their major college choices on their interests. A study published in the College Student Journal, conducted to reveal information about students entering college, uses extensive research to identify the factors that influence students' major college decisions. It is based on the assumption that making important “good” choices is beneficial to students. A “good” major is defined as one that helps students achieve their post-education goals, as well as one that is compatible...... middle of paper...... White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2010. 108-128. Print.Larson, Simone. “Is creating a specialization the best way to secure a job?” COLLEGE. USA Today, April 21, 2012. Web. May 8, 2012. .Samuels, Dorry. "UNIVERSITY of New York". Teen Ink November 2004: 38. www.teenink.com. Web.8 May 2012.SHELLENBARGER, SUE. "Can't Pick a College Major? Make One - WSJ.com." Business news and financial news. The Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2010. Web. May 8, 2012. Single, Michelle. “Not all college majors are the same.” Commercial activity. The Washington Post, January 14, 2012. Web. May 8 2012..