ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø

Deciding on a major is a big step, and it’s totally normal to feel unsure or change your mind along the way. College is all about discovering what excites you and what fits your strengths, interests and goals. That might mean changing your major, adding a minor or customizing your academic journey after your first semester.ÌýÌý

The good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Career Services and other campus departments offer free tools, tips and support to help you explore your options and find a path that feels right for you.Ìý

ÌýÌýGet to know yourself betterÌý

First, exploring majors starts with understanding you. Think about the classes you’ve enjoyed, either at ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø or in high school, and the ones that didn’t quite click.Ìý

Ask yourself:Ìý

• What subjects do I genuinely enjoy?Ìý

• What academic skills come naturally to me?Ìý

• What causes or ideas get me fired up?Ìý

• What topics do I love talking about with friends?Ìý

• What feels boring or just too tough?Ìý

Reflecting on these questions can help you narrow down your options and focus on majors that match your interests and strengths. You can also try using the , a free tool to help you discover what matters most to you in a career.Ìý

ÌýÌýExplore different career pathsÌý

Your major won’t lock you into one career. Some majors lead directly to specific jobs, while others build versatile skills that open doors across many industries.Ìý

If you’re wondering how your interests and strengths connect to possible careers, you’re in luck—there are great tools to help you explore:Ìý

• Check out What Can I Do with This Major? to see if there are any careers that interest you associated with majors you might be thinking about. The website will guide you through 96 of the most common majors and typical career areas for each.Ìý

• Try the Majors Card Sort, a free online tool that can help you identify the top ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø majors that align with your goals.Ìý

• Browse the Programs from a Different Lens webpage to explore degrees that have the same key features as the majors that interest you. Find information on course topics, learning outcomes and how classes are taught.Ìý

• Use the I want to ... website from the Program in Exploratory Studies to learn more about degree paths that will help you achieve your specified career goals.Ìý

• Schedule informational interviews with professionals in your fields of interest. You can ask about their academic journey to learn how it influenced them professionally.Ìý

ÌýÌýResearch and dive inÌý

Once you’ve narrowed down a few areas of interest, take the next step to dig deeper. Research majors to see how they align with your goals, strengths and curiosity.Ìý

Use these free tools to help you decide if a major is the right fit:Ìý

• Degree audits: Find out the required courses and credit hours needed to graduate. Department websites and the can provide additional information.Ìý

• Academic advisors: If you’re not in a rush to declare or change your degree, take a class or two in a major you’re interested in and consult with an advisor from that area of study for course recommendations. You can also ask questions about the major to determine if it matches your interests and goals. Use advising drop-in hours or make an appointment.ÌýÌýÌý

• Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab: While this doesn’t replace appointments, Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab is a supplemental resource that allows you to access general advising or enrollment help quickly. Get assistance with dropping courses, switching majors and other advising questions.Ìý

ÌýÌýKeep a positive mindsetÌý