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Choosing a Major/Integrative Knowledge

The truth about majors

Despite all the anxiety surrounding majors, the reality is that you'll probably take only a quarter to a third of your college courses in your field of study. Career-oriented majors, such as science are exceptions to this rule.

Starting college without having your major picked out isn't a bad thing. It's a chance to experiment. If something in the course catalog catches your interest, try it out. Who knows...that course in entomology could end up being the most fascinating class you've ever taken. It could even lead you to major in the field.

Contact the Career Center to talk with a counselor about your major. They can help you explore your interests and develop a list of tangible steps to help you decide on your major including talking with faculty and academic mentors.

Wait until your sophomore year to choose

Research indicates that second-year students are better prepared to make a good choice than first-year students because they have explored longer, learned more about their skills, and have experiences with more professors. Take time to explore both yourself (your skills, interests, values, etc.) and curriculum.

Myths about majors

• Most students entering college have already decided their academic majors.

National statistics vary but most state that at least 50% of entering college students are undecided about their majors.

• Once a student decides on an academic major, he/she will stick to it.

Not likely. 50% – 70% of students change their majors at least once, most will change majors at least 3 times before they graduate.

• Student should choose a major based on current job trends.

Job market demands are constantly changing and what’s hot today may not be hot tomorrow. Furthermore, estimates from various sources state that 40% – 60% of the jobs of the future have yet to be created!

• Students should choose majors directly related to their careers.

The truth is that more than 50% of college graduates pursue careers that are not related to their majors. Keep in mind that most employers just want you to have a degree in something.

• A career/personality assessment or career professional can tell you what to major in and what to do with your life.

Not. The purpose of these assessments is to help you clarify and understand your strengths, weaknesses and preferences so that you can make more confident decisions. A good career professional will help guide your decision making process but will not make these decisions for you.

• A major will limit career options.

Not in the least! A math major can have a business related career just as a business major can be a psychologist. For most people, it’s what you do in your graduate program or on the job that will dictate your career path. A math major can go on and get a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a business major can go on and get a graduate degree in Psychology.

• A college degree guarantees career success.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. What a college degree does do however, is increase the odds that you will be gainfully employed and that if you lose your job, you will spend less time unemployed than someone without a college degree.

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To complete this Portfolio assignment, follow the steps below and post your answer in your portfolio by clicking on “Knowledge” on the top horizontal navigation bar, then “Choosing a Major/Integrative Knowledge” on the left vertical navigation bar.

Step 1

Indicate how confident you feel that the major you are selecting is a good fit.

I am confident about my selection of major(s)/minor(s):

__strongly agree     __agree     __disagree     __ strongly disagree

Step 2

List your favorite courses and explain why you liked them.

Step 3

List your least favorite courses and indicate why you didn’t like them.

Step 4

List the major(s) and minor(s) you are considering right now.

Step 5

Explain why you are considering or choosing these majors. Mention the skills, values, interests and any background story that helps explain the direction you see yourself moving.

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Example from the Sample Portfolio: John Smith

I am confident about my selection of major(s)/minor(s):

__strongly agree     _X_agree   __I’m on the fence   __disagree     __ strongly disagree

 

--My favorite courses thus far:

ENGL 135 Introduction to Creative Writing

PSYC 210 Introduction to Psychology

PSYC 121 Psychology for Sustainability

POLI 210 American Politics

Why I liked them:

 I did really well in creative writing. I discovered that I have a knack for putting thoughts into words creatively. The professor said that if I honed this skill I might enjoy using my writing skills in my career.

I’m finding that I like all my psychology classes. I am fascinated about how humans think, feel and act. I like how psychology explores the dynamics of the inner-person and how that matters in life.

I believe my interest in immigration issues stem from my family background so I find myself always thinking about how politics has played a huge roll in why people want to leave or enter a country.

 

 

--My least favorite courses thus far:

 

Biology and Math.

I seem to have less interest and skill in these areas.

Why I didn't like them:

 I’m just not good at focusing. I’m jealous of my friends who are smart and have good quantitative skills. I am more of a generalist and biology requires attention to details and bio systems. Math requires skills in procedures and formulas. I see how important those things are, but I am naturally drawn more to emotions and self-expression.

The majors I am thinking about:

Psychology

English

Sociology

International Studies

 

Minor:

Spanish

 

Why these majors/minor?

 

I am very interested in social sciences, particularly psychology at the moment.  I particularly like the aspect of personality theory as well as mental diseases.  I had a cousin that was bi-polar and had many long talks with her. I worked in the Willamette MRI Imaging lab and find neuropsychology fascinating.  I have taken the prerequisites for two majors but don't think I should do a double major unless it's Spanish due to the requirements and work load.  Since I'm a Spanish speaker, taking a Spanish second major or minor would help me learn Spanish more formally and culturally rather than just the informal language I've spoken at home.

 

In terms of English, I enjoy writing non-fiction.  I enjoy doing articles and thought pieces that challenge conventional thinking in places like the school newspaper.  I'm a little bit of a political buff and like to write about political challenges we face in the world.

 

My minor:  My grandparents are from Ecuador and spoke Spanish to me as a young child and I've taken several Spanish classes in high school, so I'd like to build my language skills to be more fluent.  I'm thinking I might want to work with a Spanish speaking population in the future.

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