How to Choose a Major and Investigate Careers

1. How to Choose a Major and Investigate Careers! Career Services

2. Do these sound familiar to you? Can I get a job with this major? How am I supposed to know what I want to do for the REST of my life? So what are you going to do when you graduate, kid? I love History, but my parents want me to study Computer Science so I can get a good job. - I hear statements like these all the time! Fact is, your choice of major usually does not determine your career options after college. There are some exceptions, of course - if you want to be a nurse, you need a degree in nursing. But, you might be surprised to learn how much flexibility exists even in technical fields. Some engineering jobs are filled by graduates with degrees in math, geology, or physics instead of engineering. Most history majors do not become historians. They become stockbrokers, advertising executives, IRS agents, or Manage businesses. Also, majoring in something just because it looks like it might lead to a high paying job doesn�t mean you will do well in that major. If you don�t enjoy doing the tasks associated with that job, then you�re probably not going to be successful in the job anyway. - I hear statements like these all the time! Fact is, your choice of major usually does not determine your career options after college. There are some exceptions, of course - if you want to be a nurse, you need a degree in nursing. But, you might be surprised to learn how much flexibility exists even in technical fields. Some engineering jobs are filled by graduates with degrees in math, geology, or physics instead of engineering. Most history majors do not become historians. They become stockbrokers, advertising executives, IRS agents, or Manage businesses. Also, majoring in something just because it looks like it might lead to a high paying job doesn�t mean you will do well in that major. If you don�t enjoy doing the tasks associated with that job, then you�re probably not going to be successful in the job anyway.

3. You Are Not Alone

4. What do I want to do? Choosing a major means thinking about what interests you AND where your skills and abilities lie AND your values! So, instead of asking �What can I do with a major in�.?�, you may want to ask �What do I want to do?� In choosing a major, you should base you decision on what you are interested in. What kind of classes do you like taking? That�s part of the reason you have to take all those basic courses in the Core Curriculum.So, instead of asking �What can I do with a major in�.?�, you may want to ask �What do I want to do?� In choosing a major, you should base you decision on what you are interested in. What kind of classes do you like taking? That�s part of the reason you have to take all those basic courses in the Core Curriculum.

5. Three Key Factors

6. What Floats your Boat? Enthusiasms - what do you like to do? Interests you have that you would do whether or not you were paid to do them. You do these in your spare time or whenever you can.

7. What are your Skills & Abilities?

8. What is important to you?Values

9. What can I do next to choose a major? Look at the list of undergraduate majors Talk to an Academic Advisor/Faculty Mentors Check out our CHOICES Program!(at Career Services) Meet w/ a Career Counselor

10. What can I do to investigate my major and career? CHOICES is a good start! (located at Career Services) Take a Personality test Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook

11. Career Exploration Means Taking Action! Volunteer or do an Internship Job Shadow a professional in the career your interested in Talk to People in the Profession or a Professor

12. Career ServicesCome see us! University Center Suite 304 825-2628