Tips for Choosing Your Major
By following these steps and taking advantage of the available services on campus you will learn the many academic options available to you, how your personal interests and strengths impact your decision, and how all of these relate to a career.
Step 1: Look at academic options
Eliminate all majors you are absolutely not interested in. (see list of academic programs).
Read the catalog for information about the majors on your shortened list.
Review descriptions of courses - mark those that seem interesting and note any prerequisites.
Talk to people in the departments (students/ professors). Ask about GPA requirements, skills learned in the major, related careers, etc.
Plan a schedule with an advisor that keeps your options open while you are choosing a major, yet will fulfill degree requirements.
Step 2: Spend some time on self assessments
Assess your individual interests, personality, skills, values, likes, and dislikes, etc.
Come in to Career Services and use SIGI PLUS
Take other self assessments
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/
http://www.careerkey.org/
What should I major in?
Begin to explore various options that exist. Finding your direction in college http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/ccas/pubs/have_you_ever_thought_about.pdf
Match your interests with a major http://www.indiana.edu/~udiv/majors/yourinterests.html
Career Development eManuel http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/
What can I do with this major? Gather information about possible careers and how they relate to an academic major.
What can I do with a Major in ... http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/majors/index.htm
What can I do with this Major? http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcjs/students/major.html
Major to Career Converter http://6steps.monster.com/step1/careerconverter
Major Handouts http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcjs/students/careerPlanning.html
Exploring Careers Investigate what the current trends or 'hot topics' in your field of interest are.
Job Profiles http://www.jobprofiles.org/index.htm
Career Zone http://nycareerzone.org/index.jsp
Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Step 3: Think of an area of study, or career areas that interest you.
- Explore internship and independent research opportunities that might help with the decision making process.
- Network - Talk to your instructors, family, friends, professionals in various fields about majors and how they match your interests and skills.
- Shadow someone in his/her job.
- Get involved with departmental activities and services.
- Join an academic club
