Selecting a Major 

For most students, selecting a major can be intimidating and overwhelming.  When asked to think about an academic area of interest or a possible major, students fear they are being asked to identify what they want to do with the rest of their  lives, and too often, students are also afraid to make the wrong decision.  

None of these approaches serve you in any way and both of these approaches are fear-based.  Let’s shift from a fear mindset to a growth mindset and recalibrate our lens: every academic choice you make and every class you take should be motivated and driven by your own interests, values, curiosity, and sense of adventure.

If selecting a major is a puzzle, then let every class you take, every internship, every volunteer opportunity, and every conversation with faculty and staff be pieces of that puzzle.  Allow your major selection to be ultimately driven by how you wish to serve the world.  

• Consult with your academic adviser, faculty, and career counselors
• Ask difficult questions and do your research (refer to our major-specific “What can I do with this major?” handouts below and review course descriptions in the CoSB)
• Acknowledge that as you grow as a student, what you value academically and professionally will also shift and evolve: make room for that growth
• Volunteer and participate in service learning opportunities in class, on campus, and in your communities: this is a great way to have a deeper understanding of how you fit in this world, what you value, when you thrive professionally, your areas of professional growth, and how your major(s) of interest translates into a real-world setting

What can I do with this major?