Choosing a College Major

Combine self-assessment with an exploration of possible majors. The better you understand yourself the better choice you will make. There are a number of ways you can do this. Interest inventories, like the Career Key, and other tests can help. Inquire at your college's career service office about computer-assisted programs, or other services that they offer. Go to Learning More about Yourself on this website for more ideas.

Expand and explore your options. To learn more about majors and careers go to Learn More about the Jobs that Interest Me. In addition, talk with people knowledgeable about your fields of interests -- teachers, people who work in related industries, counselors, family, and friends.

Your alumni office may have a list of graduates who you can contact for this kind of information). Go to career fairs and other campus events where people talk about various fields of work; they can give you practical advice on majors, courses, and extracurricular activities.

Choose a major that interests and motivates you. You will get better grades and get the most out of the major. A higher GPA will look good to future employers and will leave the door open to going to graduate school later, if you decide to go.

Most undergraduate majors can lead to a variety of careers. Keep in mind that people change careers several times throughout their life -- your interests and skills will develop and change. Research shows that within six years of graduation, more half of college graduates are working in fields that are not related to their college major.