Choosing a Major & Career
While some careers require a specific undergraduate major, many do not. Nursing and Accounting are examples of careers which require a specific undergraduate major. Meanwhile, a degree in Liberal Arts (for example, History, Humanities, Chicano/a Studies) might take you in several directions.
You can begin exploring the connection between majors and careers by attending a Choosing a Major/Choosing a Career workshop or viewing it online. Find a general description of the majors, careers, and career options at What Can I Do with This Major?
With this information, you may be ready to declare your major or make a decision about your career, but if you are still uncertain or have questions, you may want to make an appointment with a career counselor for guidance through the decision process.
The Process Involves
Self-Assessment
- Identify important skills, interests and values.
- Make an appointment with a career counselor in the Career Center for career counseling and vocational assessments.
- For a helpful online tool, use our Choices Career Guidance Program.
- For career info, click on "Site ID" to enter ID/ password
- The site ID is: 0091116
- The password is: alumni
- Click on "Choices Planner" (center of page)
- Click "Work" tab at top
- Review by career cluster, alpha listing, or enter an occupation in the "Search" box
Researching Majors and Careers
- Use Choices Career Guidance Program to research careers.
- Use O*Net Career Information Program
- Learn about job requirements, employment trends, selection of appropriate major
- Learn about Interviewing for Information. [Get Adobe Acrobat Reader free here]
- Attend job fairs, use the Career Center Online Career Resources
- Obtain internship experience, either paid or unpaid
Analyzing your Results
- Organize and evaluate all the information
- Consider possible outcomes, consequences and probability
- Identify the best alternatives
- Conduct additional research if necessary
- Develop a short list of possible careers/majors
Choosing Options
- Select a primary and secondary career option based on what career is best suited for you at this time in your life
- Discuss findings with career counselor
- Maintain an open mind to new and changing factors that may impact your career choices
- Remember: What you decide today will probably not be your lifelong career; it's just the beginning