Maricopa Community Colleges

Transfer Week 2008            

Choosing A Major

Choosing A Major

Beginning or returning to college is one of the most life-changing decisions you can make.  Before deciding "Where" to study (as in which institution), you obviously need to have a firm understanding of "What" you are most interested in studying. Unfortunately, there is no one, simple way to figure this out. You must rely on introspection as well as accurate information you receive from others. Information is available at your high school campus, community college, local libraries, and on the Internet. 

Many factors go into selecting a college or university.  Counseling and Career Centers can help you explore careers, gather information about careers and majors, and consider your options. Advisement and Transfer Centers can help you identify transfer options and gather information about colleges and universities. Your academic advisor will be able to help you select a degree and courses appropriate for your interests and goals.

Other tips include:

  1. Examine and self-assess your abilities, career and life goals, interests, and values. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What kind of skills do you have? What subject areas do you like? What do you value in work – security, stability, pace, working alone or with groups, etc?
  2. Visit the College Board Website to explore college majors.
  3. Compare several schools based on your educational needs – major/program, costs, location, convenience, etc.
  4. Utilize the resources and assessment tools in Advisement, Career, and Transfer Centers to help you make decisions - start in your first year.   Most of these centers have resources for choosing a major and a career, as well as internship and job placement information.  These will help choose your track.
  5. Participate in career fairs, co-ops, and internships. Choose internships, student activities, volunteer work, and/or part-time employment that can help you develop skills in areas that interest you.
  6. Research catalogs and pertinent information from four-year colleges and universities that describe the type of courses required for your degree.
  7. Investigate careers and find out which majors lead to them. Talk to faculty and college/department representatives and to people in the work world about programs and their related career outlooks/prospects – ask “What can I do with this major?”   Many faculty members have worked in the field in which they teach.
  8. Visit university websites, browse their catalogs and use other Internet resources designed to help you choose a major and career. The Princeton Review and Collegeboard.com have incredible tools and information to help you find majors, colleges, graduate schools and careers that are right for you. http://www.princetonreview.com/home.asp
    http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/
  9. Access The Occupational Outlook Handbook, a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The handbook is located on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/).
  10. Research information regarding future trends in the workforce. What jobs sound interesting to you? Which ones pay the salary that you’d like to make? What level of education is required in the ads you find interesting?

 

Making your major and transfer decisions early will help you select the right courses, complete processes on time, and make a smooth transition to your university. It is important to start now!


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