THE STEPS TO CHOOSING A MAJOR

Being Undeclared

Majors Are Not Always Major

Contrary to popular belief, most career fields do not require a specific major. In fact, the majority of employers who recruit on campus or on-line through eRecruiting, Salisbury University’s employer database, advertise their job openings across all SU’s major fields.

There are some exceptions: Nursing Education Clinical/Laboratory Sciences/Medical Technology Accounting Engineering Athletic Training Environmental Health Respiratory Therapy

Since most college majors don’t offer specific preparation for a single type of work, your choice of major is only one factor in determining your future job prospects and career path. The skills you acquire through your coursework, and the career-related experience you acquire through internships, volunteering, participation in on-campus activities, travel and study abroad, on and off-campus employment, undergraduate research, and service learning opportunities, are often more important to employers than your major.

Why are YOU Undeclared?

Interested in too many subjects?Not interested in one subject enough to make

it a major?Not sure of which majors can lead to certain

careers?

Ten Action Steps to Help you Choose a Major

1. Consult the University course catalog to find the courses you like best, and then go to this Career Services website to see what can you do with that major.

2. Conference with your academic advisor about various options. 3. Talk by e-mail to an alum who has majored in your target field via Salisbury’s eRecruiting

Mentor Network. 4. Enroll in an introductory course in your prospective major to see if you like it or consult

the course syllabus and browse course textbooks at the campus bookstore. 5. Join a student club (or at least attend a few meetings) related to your prospective major,

such as the American Marketing Association, the Medical Careers Club, the Spanish Club, the Social Work Club, or the Philosophical Society.

6. Complete an online career interest inventory in Career Services to help you pinpoint your area of interest. Make an appointment with a Career Services professional to guide you as you move toward a decision.

7. Research occupation information. Check to see what books are available in the Career Services Library.

8. Volunteer your time to test the waters in a particular career path. 9. Find a career- related summer or part-time job to help you test out your “major” decision. 10. Interview or shadow a professional in a related field.

For more tips, visit http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/

Other Helpful Hints

Set specific goals. For example, "By the end of this quarter I'll attend information sessions for my top five majors, try to narrow to three, then meet with the department advisers for those majors."

Look at the list of undergraduate majors. Attend a "Choosing Your Major" workshop. Talk with department or college advisers. Talk with students already declared in the major. Talk with family and friends. Take the personality/preference tests offered at the

Counseling & Career Services Center.

For more tips, visit http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/

Personality Quizzes

Help guide you to majors that may be right for you based on your personality

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/students/Holland/Default.html  

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/49971.html

They Were Undeclared Once, Too!

Salib Yoler, MA CADR, Commuter Connections GA

Craig Mullen, Philosophy 2011

Mike Wessel, MA CADR, International Education

Rita Richards, MA SOWK, Diversity Office

Garrett White, MA CADR, Career Services

Charlie EndicottAssociate Director of Career Services

Charlie EndicottAssociate Director of Career Services

After completing his undergraduate studies, Charlie began his career as a underground coal miner and Personnel Coordinator for a local coal company. In addition to working in the business arena, he served Fairmont State College in WV as Admissions Counselor, Personal Counselor and Director of Career Services. His interests include traveling, playing golf  (but not well), cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers and attending any of his children's activities.

Education:M.A. West Virginia University, CounselingB.A. Fairmont State College, Education~Cum LaudeB.S. Fairmont State College, Industrial Personnel PsychologyMCC, Master Career CounselorNCC, National Certified CounselorNBCC, National Board for Certified Counselors

E-mail: rcendicott@salisbury.edu

Salib Yoler, MA CADR, Commuter Connections GA

Craig Mullen, Philosophy 2011

Mike Wessel, MA CADR, International Education

Rita Richards, MA SOWK, Diversity Office

Garrett White, MA CADR, Career Services

Once You’ve Decided…

Select courses each semester that are on track for your degree Remember to consider the following: For every 1 hour in class, schedule 2-3 hours of study outside of class. Think about scheduling courses with a break in between to prepare for class or

review notes. Keep a daily planner to schedule weekly or bi-weekly work or campus related

meetings. Eating healthy & being physically active is important to your academic health

Schedule time for both

Think of (possibly) selecting a minor Some majors require it!

Once You’ve Decided…

Meet with your Academic Advisor regularlyVisit the Career Services Office regularly

Come prepared to each appointment with questions or material for discussion. This may mean bringing a copy of your degree plan, discussing goals for your future, or just asking questions about policy and procedures.

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/staff.html

Begin to Expand Your “Personal Network” Academic & Professional: Student Organizations,

Summer/PT Jobs, Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, Sports, Events, etc.

References

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/students/ http://www.tamut.edu/university-college/Academic%20Advising/Student

%20Responsibilities.html