How to Answer: Why did you choose your major?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Department of Treasury job interview.
23. Why did you choose your major?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your degree is the prelude to the story of your career. They are also interested in whether you went to school intending to follow the career path you've chosen, whether your degree was oriented to your career or not, and how your journey led you here. Ascertaining whether you were fully committed to your degree may indicate whether you'd be dedicated to what this opportunity may offer.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
It's important to consider your education and how it fits into the requirements for the role you're applying for. Walk the interviewer down the road of your formal education. Give your unfinished story a positive framework. Describe the educational pursuits you perceived as assisting your career. Outline your accomplishments in detail, and what you've learned. Go deeper. Detail the twists and turns and how they set you on the path of your career.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"From an early age, I contemplated the idea of how money can make you money. This fascinated me and wanted to understand more. This led to my passion for economics. It's like Einstein said, the more I learned, the more I realized how little I understood. So that was basically what led to me choosing my degree, which led to me pursuing my career."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022