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Choosing a Major At some point in your college career, it will be time to choose a major. You may know exactly what you want to major in and what you want as your first career, but it's not uncommon if you don't. It's also rather likely that you will change your major at some point as you take courses that you like or dislike. As you begin thinking about what to select as your major, there are quite a few things to keep in mind. Do the Research Some majors are designed to point you to a specific career, while others are more open-ended. If your school has an Advising Center or Career Planning and Placement, they will be able to tell you about the careers for which different majors can prepare you. Also, an office of Alumni affairs may be able to provide information on the fields in which recent graduates are working. Your school's web site or the web in general are other resources that you can use. This research will give you an idea of the careers that are available to the different majors at your school. Talk with Professors and Fellow Classmates Your major is more than the sum of the courses you will take. Talk with professors about the focus of a major as opposed to the focus of particular courses in a major. Your classmates may teach you quite a bit as past experiences are shared during group projects or late night conversations. Evaluate Your Strengths and Weaknesses Be aware of your weaknesses. While changing a major is fine, it may result in unused credits. If you are a Computer Science major, but know that you have trouble with math, don't delay taking a required math course such as Calculus. If you find that it is too hard and you are forced to change your major, it would be a shame if you had already taken three semesters of Computer Science classes that now can't be used towards degree requirements for another major. Is Transfer in Your Future? If you are at a community college, think about if you want to eventually transfer to a baccalaureate institution later on. If you do, many community colleges may offer degrees and majors that are specifically designed to help you transfer successfully. If you don't get one of these degrees, then it is possible when you transfer to the four year institution, you'll find that they don't accept all of your credits and you will wind up losing them. Changing Your Mind If select a major, and then decide to change it, you're not alone. Studies indicate that anywhere from 50 to 75% of students change their major once at least once before graduating. |