Choosing a Major
| "One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. 'Which Road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know,' Alice answered. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter."
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
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Four Steps to Selecting A College Major
- Self-Assessment
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses. What are you good at? What are you not so good at?
- Pinpoint your interests, clarify your values (what matters most to you?) and match them with your strengths.
- Information Gathering
- Identify the major choices available to you.
- Eliminate those that are of no interest to you.
- Prioritize and Investigate the remaining choices.
- Research your options through reading, exploring the Internet, talking to professors, informational interviews, and hands-on-experiences (activities, internships, volunteerism, etc.)
- Evaluation/Reflection/Decision-Making
Prioritize your top choices. Consider the pros and cons of each. If you are still having difficulty making a decision, talk with your Career Counselor, who can provide further direction. - Implement Your Action Plan
- Register for coursework in the majors you are considering.
- Continue to explore work and extracurricular activities that complement your academic choices.
- Talk with alumni about their choices. What advice can they offer?
Researching Your Major
Career Counselors agree that it is a good idea to start thinking about your major and career choices as early as possible.
For many students, this can be an overwhelming task. A good first step is to meet with a Career Counselor in Career & Community Learning (CACL).
A Career Counselor can help you identify interests and values, gather information and research, and assist you in sorting through your options. Here's how:
- Self-Assessment.
- Career Advice
- Info Fairs
- Career Library
- Specialized Programs
- Internships and Summer Jobs
- Volunteer and Community Service options
Where Do I Start?
- Review Your College Catalog
Read course descriptions, find out about possible careers and how this prospective major prepares you for graduate school - Talk to Students in Majors You Are Considering
Ask about classes, professors, and their personal experiences - Talk to Alumni
The CCL can point you toward alumni with particular majors and careers - Visit Professors
- Talk With Career Counselors
The CACL staff is always ready to assist you in your decisions - Read Departmental Literature
Some Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding on a Major
- Will I enjoy this major for its own intrinsic value?
- Is this a major field in which I think I can perform well?
- How will the faculty members in this department influence me?
- Am I keeping my options open to other departments? Am I taking courses in other areas in case I want to switch majors in the future? What other majors am I interested in?
- Do I find myself seeking out other students and faculty in this department for informal discussions and other interactions?
- How do I relate to the other students in this major?
- Will this major help me acquire the skills and prerequisites needed for the type of graduate study I am considering?
- Will this major prepare me for the type of employment that I am interested in?
| Remember that decision-making is an ongoing process, and that intelligent decisions require periodic re-evaluation. |
More Tips for Finding the Right Major for You
- Remember that choosing a major is your decision. Don't select a course of study merely to satisfy family or friends.
- Schedule time on your weekly calendar to research and reflect on your major options.
- Get organized. Keep a special notebook for gathering information about majors.
- Notice how you make small decisions. Do you choose the first idea that comes to you, or do you gather information and then choose among several options? Obviously, the latter decision-making style will benefit you by allowing you to take advantage of all you options.
- Keep gathering more information and examining your choices from new angles. Facts and trends change quickly, so be alert to the dynamics of your prospective fields.
What Can I Do With the Majors at Guilford College?
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