Wondering How to Choose a Major?

One of the greatest challenges for any college student is to choose the perfect major that will guarantee entrance into the perfect career path. For some, this decision seems so easy, for others it seems like there is no possible clear choice. An important myth to debunk is that there is only one perfect choice for you. In fact, there are many excellent major choices that are a good fit for your talents and interests, and your career path is a process that takes time, sometimes years to develop completely. You are unique and therefore, so are the kinds of things that you do best. If you find yourself feeling confused about this decision, or simply want to confirm your choice of major, starting with the self-assessment process is the first step that you can take to start heading in the right direction.

Start with self assessment
Self assessment is the cornerstone of career planning and involves getting to know your unique characteristics and preferences in relation to the framework of the work world. Your Career Consultant is specially trained in helping you identify the key characteristics that you can use to develop your own career plan.

What is considered in self-assessment?

Questions to ask to begin the self-assessment process:

• What do you like about (major of interest or activity you enjoy)?
• What events led to your choosing__________________?
• On what occasions have you shown that skill, put it to use?
• What makes you think you ought to be a______________?
• Who are you most like in your family? What does he/she do?
• When did you first notice that you really like to ______________?
• Which of the three skills that you mention, come easiest to you? The hardest?

In addition to talking about these questions with your Career Consultant, there are several excellent career assessments that can help you identify career areas that are likely to be a good fit. Your consultant may recommend that you take one or more of these assessments:

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator: Identifies your unique preferences for interacting with the environment and is reported as one of sixteen types. Your particular type is a useful way to understand your needs and comfort zone in your work environment.
• Discover: A comprehensive computer-based career planning tool. In addition to providing assessments to evaluate your interests, abilities, and values, it is a compressive career exploration search engine.
• Strong Interest Inventory: Examines your interests in relation to others who are similar to you. This inventory is good for identifying lists of careers for you to consider that would be a good fit.

How do you explore career options?
The second important step to successful career planning involves using what you know about your interests, abilities and values as a basis for exploring compatible career areas. It is not unusual for college students to try to cut this important step short because of the emphasis on appearing focused and goal oriented. It may seem like "everyone else knows what they are going to do" except for you, but this is rarely the truth. How do you explore careers? Start by talking with your professors, academic advisor, and family members. Read books about professions, research fields on the Internet or if possible arrange to shadow or interview someone involved in a profession of interest to you. Your Career Consultant can provide guidance with good research resources and by using their knowledge of the work world can help you brainstorm ideas that will be a good fit.

Gaining Experience
An essential part of career planning involves putting the results of your exploration to use by applying what you are learning to real life contexts. This means getting involved in campus clubs and activities that may interest you and obtaining internships or career related part time or summer jobs. For more information, visit our Internships & Jobs section.