Choosing a Major

Help! I don’t know what I want to major in…

The most important advice we can give you is “don’t panic!”  Choosing a major does not mean that you are choosing a life’s career.  More than ½ of all college students change their majors at least once before they graduate. So, there is no need to rush into making a decision when you arrive on campus. You may find that choosing a major is about gathering information to narrow your choices. Our second piece of advice is that choosing your major does not mean choosing your career.  Once you do choose a major, it can translate into several different careers as you continue to grow and change.  For example, an English major might first find a job in PR and then go on to law school.

Remember that finding a satisfying career is a journey. It is the synthesis of all of your experiences, so the more you do, the more you will learn about what makes you tick. What is important is for you to take advantage of all of the opportunities you have as a college student to help learn about your personality preferences, values, interests and abilities.  This knowledge will then help direct you on a career path that is compatible with who you are.

Here are some suggestions to help you make your decision:

  • Make an appointment with a career counselor to begin to take a look at what makes you tick.  Sometimes just taking the time to talk with a skilled professional can help you clarify your goals.  In addition, our office has several assessment resources to assist you in deciding what area of study may be compatible with your individual makeup. These include the Myers Brigg Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory and values assessments.
  • Look over the entire academic course catalogue early during your college experience and check off those courses that interest you.  Then, speak to your academic advisor, upperclassmen and faculty about the field of study further.  Research indicates that people do best in content that interests them.
  • Get involved on campus.  Attend career center offerings and develop transferable skills through participating in clubs and volunteer activities.  Ask your RA for suggestions.
  • Take advantage of conducting informational interviews with family, friends and alumni about their majors and careers.
  • Find an internship or part-time job to give you experiences with settings and people who you can learn from.  Remember, it is just as important to find out what things you don’t like doing, as well as those that you do!

Resources