How do I select a field of study? How does this relate to my career?
Did you know…?
- College is not job training, but for developing skills and knowledge for many fields.
- Some certifications or licenses require specific degrees, but most careers don’t.
- Few careers have a single entry point but have numerous ways inward.
- People with specific majors often use them in unexpected ways.
- Choice of major is only one factor in determining job prospects or career paths.
- Skills learned range from very specialized to broadly transferable--so do “majors."
- A liberal arts degree (emphasizing critical thinking, communication
and problem-solving skills) provides the flexibility to meet tomorrow’s
challenges.
The first question. Selecting a field of study and the major at its core can seem a daunting process. Many students attempt to select the major first and then ask what careers fit that major. It may be more useful to look at the process in reverse.
Instead of the question “What can I do with a major in…?”, ask yourself “What field of study/major will help me gain the skills, knowledge and experience for the career I desire?” The major is likely to be a means to an end, rather than the end itself. And with all the career migration that happens these days, it makes sense to acquire skills, not just degrees.
Four major steps to help you select a college major (and a career):
- Self-assessment
- Information gathering
- Evaluation/reflection/decision-making
- Implementation of your plan
Self-assessment (the search starts with you)
My interests and values:
- What type of work would I like to do? What would be satisfying?
- What is the coolest job I can imagine? Could it be a career? Who would I talk to?
- What subjects and I most passionate about? What have I liked thus far?
- Am I most interested in people or things? In data or ideas?
- What type of knowledge, skills or abilities will I need to develop to do what I love?
- Which interests might become my vocation (my daily work)?
- Which interests might become my avocation (hobbies)?
- What are my values? What matters most to me? What type of work is consistent with my values?
- What personal rewards do I seek? Money is not the prime factor for most people!
My skills:
- What activities am I best at? Do they have qualities in common? Do I see a trend?
- What would I like to learn about and to do?
- In what subjects have I excelled? What was the fascination?
- What are my strengths? Where would these strengths best play out?
- What do I know about my actual skill level? Have I confused interest with ability?
My work style and personal traits:
- In what type of work environment would I be happy?
- What personal qualities do I possess that will help me be successful?
- Do I like tasks with a high level of detail, or do those tasks drive me wild?
- Do I want to be in charge, with substantial authority?
- Am I more comfortable as a team member than with overall responsibility?
- Do I work well in a group, or am I more of a loner?
Information Gathering (on campus, online and in the world)
- Schedule time (weekly) to continue your investigation. Call it a study break.
- Put some effort into answering the questions above (and others like them).
- Use what you have learned about yourself to investigate further.
- Review the college catalog for potential majors. Eliminate what choices you can.
- Examine major or program websites. Talk to professors/students in those majors.
- Get permission to sit in on a class that interest you or take an introductory class.
- Read “The informational interview” webpage and practice using this tool.
- Get hands-on experience (volunteer, activities, internships, job shadow, summer jobs, etc.)
- Get help from your advisor/career professionals as needed.
- Search online resources. If you use the term “Selecting a college major” or just “college major,” you will find many interesting websites. You can take online interest surveys, and get a list of potential careers linked to your responses. These sites may be helpful for ideas, but remember not to base an entire rearrangement of your life due to any one source. Most of these sites are commercial (for a fee) or university ones: you may get a suggested major such as “agricultural engineering” or “material science” or other majors that are not offered at Alma under those names. Check out “I’ve changed my direction” for helpful hints on how to create the best combination for you out of the resources available at Alma.
- Other search terms, and the categories behind them:
- World of Work (based on people, things, ideas and data)
- Holland Occupational Code (based on six major themes)
Evaluation/reflection/decision-making for major selection: The big picture
- Remember, your choices must be appropriate for you, rather than satisfying others.
- Prioritize your top choices. Consider the pros and cons of each option.
- Narrow down your list of options. Do more research here, but avoid endless loops.
- Can you combine your options into a major/minor combination? Check out POEs!
- What are your potential back-up plans?
- How/when will you know if the direction is a good one?
- Anticipate parental/peer reaction. Rehearse your responses, but be open to options.
- Get help from your advisor/career professionals as needed.
Implementation of your plan (take action):
- Register for courses and modify your four-year plan accordingly. Declare a major.
- Get help from your advisor/career professionals as needed.
- Decide on the steps and on a timeline to reach your goals. Revisit as needed.
- Continue to use activities, volunteering, service learning, internships, job shadowing, summer jobs, and informational interviewing (use alums!) to solidify your options.
Stick with it. Selecting a future path and a degree that will help you reach your goals may seem like a moving target, and it’s a complex task. It will take a serious investment of time and thought, so keep after it, and get help for each step as you need it.
