Extending Learning Within and Beyond the Classroom

Student Engagement

Selecting a Major and Academic Advising

Research shows that one thing sophomore students struggle the most with is selecting a major or re-selecting a major. Below are tips on how to select that major that is just the right fit.

  • Head to the Career Center (6th floor of the BA building) to take one or more of their 4 interest surveys – The Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs, FOCUS, and SCOIS
  • Check out the extended list of departments at the Registrar’s website to see what looks interesting or visit the Academic Centers for Excellence web site.
  • Explore the course titles to see what sounds interesting
  • Talk with other students in that major and the professors in the department.
  • Scan through books such as the College Majors Handbook, (ISBN 978-1563705182) that outlines career options and earning summaries
  • Visit Monster.com to use the Career Converter – select your major to see real available job opportunities
  • Take some classes in that field to see if the subject is really of interest
  • Sit in on graduate level classes in the field under consideration
  • Seek experience – look for jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, or co-ops to experience what that work field is like