How to Pick a Major and Find a Career

Connecting with alumni during the annual alumni networking fair is a great way to help determine your major and career choice.

It’s normal to be unsure of what you want to major in. Choose your major based on your interests, aptitudes, and values—not those of other people.

Although in most cases the sooner you declare a major the better, you’re always able to change it later on. Keep in mind that your major doesn’t necessarily determine what your career will be, either.

Depending upon your interests, you might benefit by choosing a second major or a minor—this makes you far more marketable.

So How Do You Pick a Major and Find a Career?

• Examine your interests, abilities, and values. SIGI and free online interest, skill, and personality surveys can help with this.
• Research potential occupations by using SIGI, reading the Occupational Outlook Handbook, shadowing professionals, conducting informational interviews, and using the Center for Experiential Learning’s Career Resource Library.
• Meet with a career counselor who can help you explore your options and aptitudes.

Other Tips

• Try out some classes
• Join clubs, organizations, and teams
• Begin networking
• Volunteer and intern for experience
• Work part-time and summer jobs for experience
• Visit Career Services—we’re happy to help