Declaring a Major
URI 101: Planning for
Academic Success
Steps to
Discovering Your
College Major
Take advantage of being Undeclared
• You can take a variety of courses and discover new possibilities and
passions
• Use trial and error to discover which courses you find interesting and
which ones you do not.
• While declaring a major before your sophomore year is preferred, do
not declare a major until you are sure!
• Always remember, it’s okay to change your mind and try out different
areas of interest. URI has many resources to help you in this journey!
Course Exploration
• Choose classes based on how much
they interest you and your future goals.
A small, curious interest in a course
could lead to declaring a major!
• Be smart with course exploration
– Be realistic about your preparedness for a
course
– Consider how challenged you will be
– Admit when a course is too difficult and
you need academic assistance
– Be sure to base class selection off of your
interests and not the interests of your
friends and family.
Type Focus
• Type Focus results can often steer you
in the right direction to a declaring a
major.
• The results offer insight on careers
based off of your personality traits which
can definitely help to connect you with a
potential major.
• If you had a particular career stand out
to you and are unsure which major that
falls under, be sure to ask your mentor
or instructor.
Holland’s Personality Types
Use the link below to discover major and career possibilities
with you Holland code:
http://www.chroniclecareerlibrary.
com/CGP/CGP/2ndpghoc.html
Based on your Holland
results you will be provided
with potential careers that
relate to your personality!
Professors as Resources
• If you are interested in a
particular gen ed be sure to get
information regarding that
major from your professor
• Go to office hours to ask
further questions and discuss
possibilities
• A general education course
could be the start of a future
career!
Majors & Minors Fair
• The majors and minors fair is
the perfect way for you to
discover more information
about each major at URI all in
one place.
• Talk to current students,
professors, and advisors
about majors that interest you.
• Take advantage of the
opportunity and collect as
much information as you can!
SAVE THE DATE
Majors and Minors Fair
Wednesday, October 8th
from 3-4:30pm in the
Memorial Union Ballroom
Involvement
• Through becoming involved
you may discover your major!
• Many times your interests
outside of academics help you
to find what your true career
goals for the future are.
• For example, you may join the
Outing Club and discover you
are interested in Plant Sciences
as a major.
URI Majors
With the list of majors
offered at URI, read
through each one. Circle
majors that interest you
and cross off those that
do not.
The list can be found at:
http://www.uri.edu/admission/majors.html
View Academic Maps by Major
• Review the academic maps for
majors that interest you
– Found at
web.uri.edu/advising/majors
• Determine which courses would be
required and if the material seems
to be in-line with your interests and
goals.
I’ve found a possible major…
Now what?
Visit an Academic Advisor at
University College for Academic Success
(UCAS) in Roosevelt Hall
Ask questions such as:
1. What is the GPA requirement to get in the
major?
2. Do I need to take and pass specific classes
before I get in?
3. What can I do with this major?
4. When would I need to declare by?
5. What classes should I take first?
6. Could I complete this major in four years?
7. Can I take summer classes to assist in being
behind? Which would you recommend?
8. Is there anything else I should know?
What can I do with this major?
• Look at the “What can I do with this major?”
resource.
• This resource will give you career options and
descriptions of possible job duties based on major.
• http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/
Center for Career & Experiential Education (CCEE)
• Make another appointment with a Career
Advisor to discover more possible careers
and learn more about specific ones.
• CCEE may also be able to help you gain
internship opportunities or shadow
experiences to further research your major
• Keep these questions in mind:
–
–
–
–
What can I do with this major?
What do starting salaries look like?
Is graduate school necessary for advancement?
Is there a list of alumni who may be willing to
speak with me about this career?
Still cannot find a major
that interests you?
Don’t worry!
We have the perfect classes for you!
EDC 279 – Career Development Seminar
• Opportunity to earn credit while discovering and
declaring your major!
• Addresses career concerns and development, skill,
identification, self-awareness, and decision making.
• Identify skills, interests, values, and both short and
long-term goals as they relate to a college major
ITR 300 – Career Planning: Concepts & Skills
• Identify personal strengths, interests, and
professional values related to career exploration
• Develop professional job and internship search
skills
• Work towards discovering the career that fits best
with your interests and goals
The University of Rhode Island has all
the resources you need to graduate with
a plan for your future so be sure to utilize
them!
“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know
what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in
what you are doing.”
-Will Rogers