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Major Decisions: Taking Charge of Your College Education
Having doubts about higher education? Maybe you re thinking about attending college but wonder whether it s worth the cost. Or maybe you're already a college student and are worried about whether you ll be able to get a good job in your field. You re right to be thinking about these issues.
The author says, "Probably the most important thing I've learned about higher education is you can get everything you hope for and more if you take personal responsibility for the design and construction of your education. The key is to be your own 'general contractor,' the one who puts all of the pieces of a higher education together according to a careful personal plan."
- Features illustrations, graphs, and pictures to engage high school students and get them excited about preparing for and committing to a higher education
- Ideal for a student who can t decide on his or her major
- Illustrates the various earning potentials of different jobs
- Shows how to build an individualized college "ranking" system, one focused on your personal learning
- Teaches how to customize your degree as well as connect your degree to what comes next
The author says, "Probably the most important thing I've learned about higher education is you can get everything you hope for and more if you take personal responsibility for the design and construction of your education. The key is to be your own 'general contractor,' the one who puts all of the pieces of a higher education together according to a careful personal plan."
- Features illustrations, graphs, and pictures to engage high school students and get them excited about preparing for and committing to a higher education
- Ideal for a student who can t decide on his or her major
- Illustrates the various earning potentials of different jobs
- Shows how to build an individualized college "ranking" system, one focused on your personal learning
- Teaches how to customize your degree as well as connect your degree to what comes next
- GenresNonfictionEducation
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2010
10 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Henry J. Eyring
5 books17 followersHenry J. Eyring is the 17th president of Brigham Young University-Idaho. He previously served as both the Academic and Advancement vide president at BYU-Idaho as well as director for the MBA program at Marriott School of Managment at Brigham Young University.
Eyring was born in Palo Alto, California to Henry B. Eyring and Kathleen Johnson Eyring. He later received B.S., MBA and J.D. degrees from Brigham Young University (1985, 1989, 1989) in Provo, Utah. After graduating, Eyring worked at the consulting firm Monitor Group from 1989 to 1998, During that time he also served as a director of SkyWest Airlines. From 2002 to 2003, he was a special partner with Peterson Capital.
From 2003-2006 Eyring served as the president of the Japan Tokyo North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 2007-2012 Eyring served as the president of the BYU–Idaho 6th Stake.
Eyring's first book was a biography of his grandfather and namesake, award-winning chemist Henry Eyring. He is also the co-author of a biography about his father and namesake, Henry B. Eyring, apostle and member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Eyring and his wife Kelly have five children and reside in Rexburg, Idaho. Their son, Henry C. Eyring, is a professor of accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Eyring was born in Palo Alto, California to Henry B. Eyring and Kathleen Johnson Eyring. He later received B.S., MBA and J.D. degrees from Brigham Young University (1985, 1989, 1989) in Provo, Utah. After graduating, Eyring worked at the consulting firm Monitor Group from 1989 to 1998, During that time he also served as a director of SkyWest Airlines. From 2002 to 2003, he was a special partner with Peterson Capital.
From 2003-2006 Eyring served as the president of the Japan Tokyo North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 2007-2012 Eyring served as the president of the BYU–Idaho 6th Stake.
Eyring's first book was a biography of his grandfather and namesake, award-winning chemist Henry Eyring. He is also the co-author of a biography about his father and namesake, Henry B. Eyring, apostle and member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Eyring and his wife Kelly have five children and reside in Rexburg, Idaho. Their son, Henry C. Eyring, is a professor of accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 5, 2017
This book was truly enlightening. As a high school senior, you tend to stress about life after high school. How much is college? Which one should I go to? What should I major in? There are many questions that go round and round in our heads. This book helped clear up the idea of college. It is worth the risk and cost. It deeply touched on why a higher education is needed in this day and age. We need to get comfortable with making high stake risks. That is a job that couldn't be replaced by machines. The necessity for an education is dramatically increasing.
Another great thing this other touches on, but only very lightly... is how women are affected. As a woman, you have to consider what getting married and starting a family can do to your education. It might end up putting your education or career on hold. Your dreams on hold. Which is something that can be tough for woman. It is a tough decision. He used the example of his mother to show how education can help withing your family and raising your children. Being a mother is full of high stake risks. You are able to use the education you received to better theirs. Everything you teach them counts, it shapes them into who they will become and how much they will value things. This is something that is very important, to start it when they're young. Which gives woman piece of mind knowing that their education whether it is minimal or not, is needed and is valuable.
This book has helped me start planning out my life more. I am starting to make a clear path on what I need to study to get to my end goal. I need to make sure my end goal is still my goal, by taking some internships to broaden my understanding on the job and what kind of skills it takes. Is it for me? Can I do it while raising a family? Is it what I always dreamed of? While taking all these questions into account, you start to have a different perspective on learning.
This is a book for before, during, and after college. The preparing and importance of college is a big portion of this book, but a lot of this book focuses on during college. To push yourself beyond your limits, to always have a goal in mind, and to start thinking about how your college degree will help you in your career. It is a personal plan. One plan will not work for everyone. He shares great points on how to sculpt these plans for each one of us. To take into account your dreams.
Another great thing this other touches on, but only very lightly... is how women are affected. As a woman, you have to consider what getting married and starting a family can do to your education. It might end up putting your education or career on hold. Your dreams on hold. Which is something that can be tough for woman. It is a tough decision. He used the example of his mother to show how education can help withing your family and raising your children. Being a mother is full of high stake risks. You are able to use the education you received to better theirs. Everything you teach them counts, it shapes them into who they will become and how much they will value things. This is something that is very important, to start it when they're young. Which gives woman piece of mind knowing that their education whether it is minimal or not, is needed and is valuable.
This book has helped me start planning out my life more. I am starting to make a clear path on what I need to study to get to my end goal. I need to make sure my end goal is still my goal, by taking some internships to broaden my understanding on the job and what kind of skills it takes. Is it for me? Can I do it while raising a family? Is it what I always dreamed of? While taking all these questions into account, you start to have a different perspective on learning.
This is a book for before, during, and after college. The preparing and importance of college is a big portion of this book, but a lot of this book focuses on during college. To push yourself beyond your limits, to always have a goal in mind, and to start thinking about how your college degree will help you in your career. It is a personal plan. One plan will not work for everyone. He shares great points on how to sculpt these plans for each one of us. To take into account your dreams.
January 17, 2019
I know the author of this book, Henry J. Eyring, having lived in his neighborhood twenty years ago. Currently the President of BYU-Idaho, President Eyring is one of the most thoughtful and intelligent people I know. This book, which he wrote eight years ago, is a very practical and helpful guide that both advocates for the value of higher education, as well as provides a road map for college success.
Although much of the book's advice was familiar to me, I did like President Eyring's focus on the importance of learning how to make "high stakes judgments" and his analogy of being your own "general contractor" of your college education. The one critique I have of the book is that while it is not overtly religious, it does contain many scriptural references and quotes from past and current leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--which might narrow the audience.
That said, I still think it is worth a read by parents, high school students, guidance counselors, and educators who are passionate about higher education and interested in smart ways to encourage more young people to participate, and succeed, in college.
Although much of the book's advice was familiar to me, I did like President Eyring's focus on the importance of learning how to make "high stakes judgments" and his analogy of being your own "general contractor" of your college education. The one critique I have of the book is that while it is not overtly religious, it does contain many scriptural references and quotes from past and current leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--which might narrow the audience.
That said, I still think it is worth a read by parents, high school students, guidance counselors, and educators who are passionate about higher education and interested in smart ways to encourage more young people to participate, and succeed, in college.
December 27, 2020
Great information!
This book was easy to read, with clear, step by step instructions to navigate college well. It is full of excellent advice. I started this book in the pathway program and finished it out of a desire to check it off my list, and I’m glad I did. If I ever go back to school, I’ll have lots of useful information, and even if I don’t, I learned a lot that will help me throughout my life.
This book was easy to read, with clear, step by step instructions to navigate college well. It is full of excellent advice. I started this book in the pathway program and finished it out of a desire to check it off my list, and I’m glad I did. If I ever go back to school, I’ll have lots of useful information, and even if I don’t, I learned a lot that will help me throughout my life.
September 6, 2010
This was such a great book! I love Eyring's explanation as to why youth should get a great education. He uses an illustration of a quadrant involving high-stakes vs. low-stakes judgments and judgment call vs. standard procedure. The people who make the most money are usually (outside of movie stars and athletes) those whose jobs fit in the quadrant that involves both high-stakes judgments and judgment calls. Eyring explains that because of the free market world increasing and automation, more and more jobs that involve standard procedures and low-stakes judgments are being taken over by machines and people outside of the U.S. That is why it is so important to get a great education, so you can get an education that allows you to have the knowledge needed for high-stakes judgments and judgment calls. This will allow you to get a job that won't be taken over.
He has a lot of other great counsel, I wish that this book had been around before I started college. It's interesting how the counsel meshes with Leadership Education. He doesn't use TJED language but some of the same ideas are there: namely, get a great education so you learn how to think, not just what to think, seek professors who are true mentors, own your own education, don't think that someone else will oversee your education.
My only beef with this book is that the author did not have a little section to specifically target young woman, and how to factor getting married and having a family with getting an education. He does mention his own mother, and that her great education from UC Berkeley allowed her to make high-stakes judgments in behalf of her children. I love the story he tells of his mother cutting the cord to the TV set and then destroying it with a sledgehammer because she finally decided it was damaging her family.
He has a lot of other great counsel, I wish that this book had been around before I started college. It's interesting how the counsel meshes with Leadership Education. He doesn't use TJED language but some of the same ideas are there: namely, get a great education so you learn how to think, not just what to think, seek professors who are true mentors, own your own education, don't think that someone else will oversee your education.
My only beef with this book is that the author did not have a little section to specifically target young woman, and how to factor getting married and having a family with getting an education. He does mention his own mother, and that her great education from UC Berkeley allowed her to make high-stakes judgments in behalf of her children. I love the story he tells of his mother cutting the cord to the TV set and then destroying it with a sledgehammer because she finally decided it was damaging her family.
February 7, 2013
This is an excellent book. I would recommend it to all high school students, Freshmen, and others. It gives some impressive insights into how to succeed in college and graduation. I wish it had been written when I was younger so that I would have known these tips and brilliant insights then.
The book has raving reviews by presidents of the University of Utah, UVU, Ohio State University, BYU-Hawaii; Stephen R Covey; and a Harvard University tenured professor.
Henry J Eyring is an administrator at BYU-I, he was the director of the BYU MBA Program before he left to be the Mission President of the Japan Tokyo North mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I know him and love him). He was also a trustee for SUU and on the board of directors for SkyWest Airlines and a partner for Peterson Capitol.
His son is earning an MBA from Harvard University.
His father was a professor at Stanford University, president of BYU-I, and is currently an apostle for the church.
His grandfather was a world renowned scientist and a recipient of the National Medal of Science as well as president of the American Chemistry Society and the Association for the Advancement of Science.
**There's also a website where you can ask the author direct questions via email.
The book has raving reviews by presidents of the University of Utah, UVU, Ohio State University, BYU-Hawaii; Stephen R Covey; and a Harvard University tenured professor.
Henry J Eyring is an administrator at BYU-I, he was the director of the BYU MBA Program before he left to be the Mission President of the Japan Tokyo North mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I know him and love him). He was also a trustee for SUU and on the board of directors for SkyWest Airlines and a partner for Peterson Capitol.
His son is earning an MBA from Harvard University.
His father was a professor at Stanford University, president of BYU-I, and is currently an apostle for the church.
His grandfather was a world renowned scientist and a recipient of the National Medal of Science as well as president of the American Chemistry Society and the Association for the Advancement of Science.
**There's also a website where you can ask the author direct questions via email.
July 9, 2010
This book is amazing. It is hard to put down and I love the insight of the author, who has an obvious concern for others and helping others suceed. I appreciate this book and have already bought four more to give to others. I think it is great for any age to read, who feels that learning never ends and wants to improve.
July 13, 2015
Provided good insight on how to view your college education and what to do to get the most out of it. I enjoyed it because it took me a bit away from what a student or a professor might think, and put it more in terms of how college will/can help you get a good career.
One of the big things he talked about was how college prepares you to make high stake judgments (HSJs). Essentially, the more your work requires you to make judgement calls (rather than standard procedural decisions) that are high stake, the more you are paid and more successful you can be. Particularly, in order to increase your ability to make HSJs, you need to increase your analytical, people, and moral skills. College is especially good at increasing analytical skills, but if you do it right, you can get the other ones too. This then in turn increases your ability to make HSJs - which makes you more valuable economically speaking.
One of the big things he talked about was how college prepares you to make high stake judgments (HSJs). Essentially, the more your work requires you to make judgement calls (rather than standard procedural decisions) that are high stake, the more you are paid and more successful you can be. Particularly, in order to increase your ability to make HSJs, you need to increase your analytical, people, and moral skills. College is especially good at increasing analytical skills, but if you do it right, you can get the other ones too. This then in turn increases your ability to make HSJs - which makes you more valuable economically speaking.
October 23, 2015
This was a interesting book set on describing why you should receive a higher education, how you can do that and how you can and should take control over your very own education.
I’ll have to say that at the moment I found this book a little bit dry. As I was reading it I wished that this book had been around when I had to make these decisions, but now that I’m in the middle of everything, it was a book full of interesting insights and maybe advice that I’ll give to anyone who needs it. I’m hoping that while trying to read this book with homework, tests, etc. of college was the reason why it didn’t catch my attention. I’m interested to sit down and try to read it again when I don’t have that all over my head.
I’ll have to say that at the moment I found this book a little bit dry. As I was reading it I wished that this book had been around when I had to make these decisions, but now that I’m in the middle of everything, it was a book full of interesting insights and maybe advice that I’ll give to anyone who needs it. I’m hoping that while trying to read this book with homework, tests, etc. of college was the reason why it didn’t catch my attention. I’m interested to sit down and try to read it again when I don’t have that all over my head.
May 5, 2010
This book dropped from heaven into our laps just when we needed it. This book is very readable, packed full of extremely valuable information for my house of teen boys looking toward college, and very, very worth what we paid for it. I'd give it 20 stars if I could. Just passed it on to 16yo ds; I'm sure it'll have made the rounds of the whole house by next week. Gave me a lot to think about, and I especially appreciate the focus on getting the student to take responsibility for his/her education. Tremendous book!
May 18, 2012
"The most dangerous thing is to have no dream at all. The only way to know whether a particular career path is right for you is to start down it. The sooner you make your best guess, the sooner you'll begin to learn who you are and who you're not."
There was a lot of good advice. It was good to hear about some decisions that would be beneficial to make as a college freshman than to look back as a senior and wish I did that at the beginning.
There was a lot of good advice. It was good to hear about some decisions that would be beneficial to make as a college freshman than to look back as a senior and wish I did that at the beginning.
August 8, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It taught me a lot about furthering my education. I'm glad that I read it before I head out for college, but I think that the perfect time would be to read this once at the beginning of your senior year, then again before college. It helped prepare me for college, so now I can have the best experience and get the most out of it.
July 14, 2010
I really liked this book and am glad to have purchased it to reference in the future. Some great thoughts on how to not just get into college but graduate as well! I liked it from a parent perspective on how to guide your kids in the right direction to make the most of their education.
July 9, 2012
A GREAT read for people looking at going into college. A great read for those on the fence as well. This gives a whole lot of perspective to the future student. And a whole lot of reasonable encouragement for those on the fence.
August 19, 2011
This was a great book! Anyone in high school preparing for college should read it. I wish I'd read it sooner, but I still think its great for anyone in college as well. A great book about getting an education.
June 4, 2012
I don't often foist self-help books on others, but when I do, it's because I really think they can benefit from Henry J. Eyring's "Major Decisions." This is just what I needed as an undergraduate in college, and I highly recommended to my younger siblings. Very readable, very useful.
July 8, 2012
I read a twitter discussion from the author and this book sounds great. I think I will buy it for the graduating seniors in our family.
October 16, 2011
Great Book! Nice quotes, good advice. Now I know a little bit better what I want to do after graduation.
March 25, 2011
This is a great book for high schoolers. It contained information I wish I had known before I went to college.
March 20, 2012
Worthwhile subject, but very limited in its audience. Really targeted to high schoolers
October 10, 2012
Great book. Super easy to read and extremely informative. A MUST for high school students and their parents.
February 13, 2014
Very Encouraging and uplifting.
May 12, 2014
I think I would have enjoyed it more 6 years ago. But it's a good book for High School students.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews