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You're ready to
explore…
So,
you're at a point where you have some ideas about majors
that might match up well with the things you enjoy doing (your interests), the things you're good at (your skills), and the things that you believe in (your values). Good for you! You're one step closer to making a decision about a major. Now, how do you go about figuring out which major
might be the best overall fit? This is
where the fun comes in; you get to become the great explorer! Below is a list of ways to explore various
majors and get the inside scoop as to what they're all about.
_____ Take an introductory class in the major. Use the Course Guide and/or
Class Schedule to
look for introductory classes. Think of this as a sample; you get to taste test
without having to order the whole meal.
_____ Get a print version of the Undergraduate
Catalog from one of the campus bookstores and highlight interesting classes in
the back (Course Descriptions). Compare your choices with the major
requirements that appear in the Colleges and Degree Programs section.
_____ Talk with your college adviser.
_____ Talk with an adviser from the department
that interests you.
_____ Enroll in ID 1201: Major and Career
Exploration, where you'll get a chance to earn credit while learning more
about yourself and what majors might be the best fit for you.
_____ Participate in an engagement activity relevant
to your potential major interest to help confirm that you understand and enjoy
the nature of the subject and its environment in real world situations. Ideas
include volunteering, shadowing a professional, completing an internship, or
conducting research.
_____ Look in the Class Schedule to identify
interesting classes that are offered this term. Contact the instructor to see
whether you could observe the class for one class period.
_____ Visit the Career and Community Learning Center 's
(CCLC) Resource Room to page through their "What Can I Do With a Major In"
binders. They've got you covered for
everything from Acting to Urban Studies and everything in between! The
CCLC has many other books about different kinds of majors (even
majors outside of CLA). The CCLC website
is also jam-packed with helpful information about majors.
_____ Attend the CLA Student
Board's "More Than a Major" Fair which is held each spring semester.
_____ Go to the bookstore and look at the
textbooks that are used by students in that major. Could you imagine yourself
being excited about reading these books? Would you want to study this type of
material for a semester or multiple semesters? Can you imagine yourself being
able to pass a test on this material?
_____ Attend the "Exploring Interests and Majors" event which is held each spring semester.
_____ Talk to students who have chosen the
major to see what they like or don't like about the major. Major advisers can
sometimes connect you with students who love the major.
_____ Attend open houses, info
sessions and other events sponsored by departments, advising offices and the
CCLC that allow you to learn more about particular majors.
Click here for a printable
version of this handy checklist.
A list of web resources related to major
exploration is included at the end of this guide.
Next…
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If you
don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone
else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.
-- Jim Rohn
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