Transcript Slide 1
A WORKSHOP FOR CHOOSING A COLLEGE MAJOR STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY OUTLINE I. Myths and Facts II. Kinds of Majors III. Points to Consider IV. Steps to Choosing a Major V. Conclusion/Evaluation “Navigation to Graduation” 3 DID YOU KNOW THAT Nearly 1/3 of students enter college as undecided, and of those who enter with a major, 60-70% change majors at least once. Therefore, it is best to research and explore different majors to be able to make an informed decision about your major. “Navigation to Graduation” 4 Choosing a major takes time. You need to begin taking steps now to make that decision. “Navigation to Graduation” 5 THE BIG MYTH CHOOSING A MAJOR = CHOOSING A CAREER Fact: Major does not equal career for most fields. Research indicates only 50% of college graduates report a close relationship between their major and their job. You are NOT choosing what to do with the “rest of your life.” Research shows that people will change their careers a minimum of 3-5 times over their lifespan. *Source: Office of Institutional Research, Career and Further Education Survey 2005 Graduates “Navigation to Graduation” 6 Different Kinds of Majors Career Specific Specific preparation for a particular job or occupation. For licensure or certification in a profession or for highly specialized/technical fields. Ex: education, social work, engineering “Navigation to Graduation” 7 CAREER SPECIFIC MAJORS Aimed at a specific field of employment but not at a particular job. Enter employment at a trainee level. Ex: journalism, general business, sport management, exercise physiology, telecommunications, family studies “Navigation to Graduation” 8 NON CAREER SPECIFIC Not oriented toward employment in a specific career or particular field. Combined with related experience, results in a career-related degree. Ex: psychology, history, English, communication studies, political science “Navigation to Graduation” 9 KINDS OF MAJORS *MAJORITY ARE NON CAREER SPECIFIC Career Specific Career Oriented Non Career Specific “Navigation to Graduation” 10 HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION, YOU NEED GOOD INFORMATION, AND LOTS OF IT. Step One: Self-Assessment Identify your interests, abilities, and values. 11 Step Two: Examine your abilities 12 EXPLORE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS Step Three Explore majors (What kind of work are you interested in?) 13 EXPLORE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS Step Four Explore majors (What kind of work are you interested in?) 14 EXPLORE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS Step Four Explore majors (What kind of work are you interested in?) 15 EXPLORE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS Step Four Explore majors (What kind of work are you interested in?) 16 EXPLORE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS Step Five Reality Check 17 Step Six: Narrow your choices 18 SELF-REFLECTION Talk to those who know you best. What insights do they have about your strengths and weaknesses? 19 MEET WITH YOUR ADVISOR *Meet with an advisor in your college department and/or Student Academic Success Center staff or Career Services, to help you interpret the information you have gathered. 20 Step two: Explore Majors and Careers What majors are available at Prairie View A&M University? You may not know which you want, but you likely know many that you do NOT want. 21 Which minors/certificates are of interest to you? How do these majors, minors, and certificates relate to the information you have learned about yourself? 22 GATHER INFORMATION ON MAJORS OF INTEREST What are the classes that you would have to take? Read titles and course descriptions in the PVAMU online catalog. What are the requirements to get accepted into this major? 23 THOUGHTS TO PONDER Ask yourself: “Is my accumulative GPA sufficient for me to gain entry into this major in a reasonable time frame?” If the major is selective, what other majors are related/similar to this major? Try out an introductory course in the major. “Navigation to Graduation” 24 EXPLORE CAREERS Consult Careercruising.com Occupational Handbook Mymajors.com faculty advisors in the majors you are interested in “Navigation to Graduation” 25 DECLARE YOUR MAJOR AND DEVELOP EXPERIENCE Work with your new advisor to plan for graduation. “Navigation to Graduation” 26 REMEMBER THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE “Pick your major on the pleasure principle, for what you most enjoy studying will draw your mind in the liveliest way to being educated.” -Rev. James T. Burtchaell “Navigation to Graduation” 27