Choosing Your
Major & Career
Center for Career Services
Southern Connecticut State University
Is This the Best Way
to Choose a Major?
Can You Guess My Major?
Carrie Underwood
Michael Jordan
Ray Romano
Mass
Communication
Math
Accounting
A. Mass Communication
A. Math
A. Accounting
B. Public Health
B. Sports
Management
B. Psychology
C. Theatre
C. Business
C. Finance
Some Tips to Get Started…
• Treat the process like a job or one of your
classes
• Set specific goals
• Work with advisors during the process
– Career Services
– Academic Departments
– Academic Advisement
Prepare
• Remember that this is a process
– Be open to what you find out about yourself
– Try not to stress yourself out
• Assess Yourself
– Career Concepts and Exploration, CTR 200
– FOCUS
Research
• Review the undergraduate catalog.
• Take introductory courses.
• Talk with advisors in the departments of
interest.
• Talk with faculty members.
• Talk with students in that major already.
• Talk with family and friends.
• Get a job, internship, co-op or volunteer.
Evaluate and Make a Decision
• In order to make a sound decision, it is
important to gather enough information
• There isn’t one right way to make this
decision
• Consider:
– The Pros and Cons
– Asking for advice from people you trust
Declare Your Major!
http://www.southernct.edu/registrar
Major ≠ Career
• Most majors do not lead directly to a specific job.
• Your major helps you acquire specific transferable skills:
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How to define a question
How to investigate possibilities
How to articulate your findings and theories
How to write, problem-solve, organize, research and think
critically
• Employers hire and promote people on the basis of the
quality of their work.
– How much you like the work could affect the quality.
Ask?
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•
•
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What do I want to do?
What can I do with my major?
What kind of people do I like to work with?
Do I enjoy physical challenges?
Do I like persuading others?
Do I prefer questions with answers, or questions that
lead to more questions?
Investigate
a Future Career
• Make an appointment with a Career Services counselor
• Use these Career Services tools:
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Careers.southernct.edu
FOCUS
JOBSs
Career Fairs
• Gain experience
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Informational Interviews
Volunteer
Cooperative Education
Internship
Some Final Thoughts…
• Keep in mind that your first job right out of
college is probably not your final job!
• Be open to life-long learning
• Proceed with confidence.
• Maintain a healthy balance of work and
fun.
For More Information
Center for Career Services
Southern Connecticut State University
Room 102, Schwartz Hall
203-392-6536
careers.southernct.edu