What is a Major?

• A discipline or field of study that represents your main educational interest
• A set of course requirements which results in a thorough knowledge and understanding of that discipline.

 

Choosing a major is about deciding where in your educational process you will concentrate your time, energy, and attention.

How do you choose a major?

Luck and magic

• Be inspired at an early age
• Receive a sign

 

Trial and error

• Try out suggestions from friends or family
• Sample general education courses
• The Career Connection

 

Which comes first…major or career?

• Majors are part of the process that leads to earning a degree
• They are for academic purposes – not career purposes – but may lead to a career

 

The career connection

• Some majors prepare you for specific careers, such as nursing
• Many majors prepare you for many career possibilities – liberal arts majors
• You can choose your major first and identify career possibilities later or choose a few career options and then identify possible majors

 

Points to consider

• Why are you going to college?
• Do you want your college education to prepare you for a specific job?

 

Steps to choosing a major

• Research majors that interest you
• Investigate careers and see what majors lead to them

 

Steps to a Major and Career Decision

• Step 1: Assess yourself
• Step 2: Gather information and explore options
• Step 3: Research how careers link with college majors
• Step 4: Take action
  
  • Look up degree and graduation requirements for majors and areas of interest
  • Sample courses
  • Consider internships, volunteer work, community involvement and/or part-time employment
  • Visit Student Employment, Work Experience, and learn how you can earn college credits for working

 

How assessment can help you choose a major or career

• No one can make an academic or career decision for you
• You can, by using the resources and counseling available in the Career Center
• Assessment can
  
  • help you identify your strengths and weaknesses
  • help you match who you are with a major and academic goal

 

Career assessments

• Counseling 61 – Introduction to Career Exploration
• Career Interest Tests available through the Career Center
• Online Career Assessments
• DISCOVER

 

Gather information and explore options

• Evaluate different majors
• Visit the Career Center
• Review what the major requires
• Coursework, schools with majors you are interested in
• Evaluate different occupations
• EUREKA, DISCOVER, FILES & BOOKS

 

Resources that can help

• Work Experience
• Community Involvement
• Student Employment
• Career Center