Transfer Corner
with Gina Myers
Gina Myers | Guest Writer
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Features
How do I decide on a major?
This is one of the most common questions students ask in the Counseling, Advising and Career Center.
There are some basic questions you need to ask yourself.
1. How do you feel about having to make this decision about a major: excited, pressured or frustrated?
2. Do you have a strategy? How do you make choices in your life? Are you impulsive, prudent or a procrastinator? Do you agonize over making decisions, or do you let others make your decision?
3. How do you typically make decisions in your life? Are you spontaneous or systematic? Do you talk with others, parents or peers or are you on your own?
Learning about how to be an effective decision maker is very important. Chances are that the way you select your college major reflects how you make most big decisions in your life. Making decisions on your education and career are some of the most important decisions you will ever make. When faced with a decision you are either consciously or unconsciously using a process that leads to a decision.
Some students enter college having already decided on an occupation but are not sure of their major. Some are sure of their major but not their occupation. Others are completely undecided or came to school pretty sure about themselves but have since learned more and now have doubts. There are all sorts of influences that may have you shifting what you thought was going to be your major such as lack of interest, bad grades or even an inability to meet criteria for the major.
Here are the basic components for choosing your major or career:
Knowledge of Self
What are your interests? Evaluate your past experiences or jobs.
What are your skills/abilities? You already have 80% of your skills and abilities; these are things like enthusiasm, problem solver, or team leader.
What are your values, what is truly important to you?
Knowledge of the World of Work
Do your research by using Career Resources or visiting colleges and information sessions. You can also talk with a counselor/advisor in the CACC, volunteer, do an informational interview, or find part-time job in the area you may have a interest.
What can you do to get started?
*Enroll in Hdev110, Career & Life Planning, it is offered multiple times every quarter.
*Visit the Counseling, Advising and Career Center to explore resources, take an interest inventory and meet with a career counselor. You can schedule an appointment, or take advantage of walk-in times available Monday-Friday.
*Meet with faculty in disciplines or with someone in a work setting you may be interested in.
*Set some benchmarks and goals for deciding or selecting your major. As the old saying goes, "If you don't know where you are going, you are going to end up someplace else."
NEXT TIME: Paying for College - Financial Aid and Scholarships
This is one of the most common questions students ask in the Counseling, Advising and Career Center.
There are some basic questions you need to ask yourself.
1. How do you feel about having to make this decision about a major: excited, pressured or frustrated?
2. Do you have a strategy? How do you make choices in your life? Are you impulsive, prudent or a procrastinator? Do you agonize over making decisions, or do you let others make your decision?
3. How do you typically make decisions in your life? Are you spontaneous or systematic? Do you talk with others, parents or peers or are you on your own?
Learning about how to be an effective decision maker is very important. Chances are that the way you select your college major reflects how you make most big decisions in your life. Making decisions on your education and career are some of the most important decisions you will ever make. When faced with a decision you are either consciously or unconsciously using a process that leads to a decision.
Some students enter college having already decided on an occupation but are not sure of their major. Some are sure of their major but not their occupation. Others are completely undecided or came to school pretty sure about themselves but have since learned more and now have doubts. There are all sorts of influences that may have you shifting what you thought was going to be your major such as lack of interest, bad grades or even an inability to meet criteria for the major.
Here are the basic components for choosing your major or career:
Knowledge of Self
What are your interests? Evaluate your past experiences or jobs.
What are your skills/abilities? You already have 80% of your skills and abilities; these are things like enthusiasm, problem solver, or team leader.
What are your values, what is truly important to you?
Knowledge of the World of Work
Do your research by using Career Resources or visiting colleges and information sessions. You can also talk with a counselor/advisor in the CACC, volunteer, do an informational interview, or find part-time job in the area you may have a interest.
What can you do to get started?
*Enroll in Hdev110, Career & Life Planning, it is offered multiple times every quarter.
*Visit the Counseling, Advising and Career Center to explore resources, take an interest inventory and meet with a career counselor. You can schedule an appointment, or take advantage of walk-in times available Monday-Friday.
*Meet with faculty in disciplines or with someone in a work setting you may be interested in.
*Set some benchmarks and goals for deciding or selecting your major. As the old saying goes, "If you don't know where you are going, you are going to end up someplace else."
NEXT TIME: Paying for College - Financial Aid and Scholarships
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