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6 Paths to Finding the Right Major for You

Most students have to put a major on their applications, but how do you know it鈥檚 the right one? And how can you discover other options?

The good news is you鈥檙e not alone in questioning your choice of major. More than half of 嘿嘿视频 students change their major at least once. But it鈥檚 best to settle with the right one by your sophomore year, especially if you plan to graduate on time.

With more than 100 majors to choose from at 嘿嘿视频, chances are there鈥檚 one that鈥檚 perfect for you. Here are some ways to explore paths you may not know exist.

1. Explore early and often through seminars

Woman setting off a rocket as men on either side watch her
Freshman Julie Allan, center, launches a rocket during a First-Year Seminar led by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Mohamed Hafez. (Joe Proudman/嘿嘿视频)

let you sample interests from cheesemaking to cosmology in creative, one- or two-unit classes.  You can take one of these bite-size courses for credit each quarter and broaden your thinking about what is possible in your future.

2. Experiment with research

Adult woman leaning over to teach two young boys
Carolina Tavarez-Varela started a foundation that offers a free language school and provides after-school lessons. (Carolina Tavarez-Varela/Courtesy)

Amazing opportunities to do research are available to 嘿嘿视频 students. Whether you鈥檙e interested in genetics, language and culture, engineering, or , the can help you find your way. To sample the possibilities, check out the annual spring , where hundreds of 嘿嘿视频 students present original research. Who knows, your undergraduate research might win an international competition.

For her undergraduate research project,  Carolina Tavarez-Varela received the Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research for her work identifying a language emerging at the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic. During her travels to the region, Tavarez-Varela recognized a need for education and established a school, Ann Prepare Lavni (鈥淧reparing for the Future鈥).

Carolina majored in Spanish, with minors in Latin American and hemispheric studies and in . She continued her research, going to graduate school in the Spanish department at 嘿嘿视频.

3. Discover your passion through campus leadership

Man standing in forest with a kayak paddle
An Undergraduate Leadership Conference helped Dylan Wilder to change his mind about majors to switch to wildlife, fish and conservation biology. (Dylan Wilder/Courtesy)

Job satisfaction is an important factor to weigh in choosing a career. You鈥檒l probably spend a substantial amount of your life working, so choose a field that connects to your core interests and values. The can help you identify your strengths and passions through workshops, certificates and an annual conference.

Consider Dylan Wilder鈥檚 story. He had planned on a solid, high-salary career in computer programming. After attending the Undergraduate Leadership Conference, he re-examined his goals and realigned them with his passions and interests.

Dylan discovered a major that met his passion for the outdoors. He changed his major to wildlife, fish and conservation biology and is planning a career in natural resource management with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Park Service.

4. Sort out your major options

Screenshot of computer screen that says, "So... You can't decide on a major"
Play the major card sort game to discover your interests among 嘿嘿视频鈥 majors.

It鈥檚 true that you have to pick a major when you apply. But, for both prospective and current students, how many of the 100-plus 嘿嘿视频 majors do you know about? Did you know you could major in evolution, ecology, and biodiversity

But wait, there鈥檚 more. Global disease biology, coastal environmental processes, medieval and early modern studies, , viticulture and enology, and landscape architecture are all options here at 嘿嘿视频. The online lets you play with your options and discover your interests.

5. Seek the wisdom of academic advisors

Two women going over information together in an office
Julie McGilvray, left, who specializes in advising for students in the arts majors, helps Devon Bradshaw, a double major in music and statistics. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

Academic advisors are great resources, and their purpose in life is to help you find the right pathway to graduation and your future life and career goals. They know things you didn鈥檛 know you didn鈥檛 know. They鈥檒l ask you questions you never thought to ask. They work with you through your decision whether or not to double major. And they care. Reach out to your academic advisor through your college鈥檚 .

6. Try an internship and go to the career fairs

Two men talking in a big career fair with others milling about
Each quarter, you are urged to attend the Internship and Careers Fair to check out new possibilities for what you could be doing now 鈥 and in the future 鈥 regarding a career. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

College internships can lead to future careers 鈥 or help you discover that what you thought you wanted to do isn't really to your liking. As an undergraduate, thought he might be interested in a career in physical therapy, and had an internship at the 嘿嘿视频 Medical Center. 鈥淚t turns out I don鈥檛 like hospitals,鈥 he said. Now a professor of African and African American studies, Harrison is glad he took the opportunity to make an informed decision. The hosts internship and career fairs each quarter, and offers the to hook you up with potential employers.

To prepare for a life and career you love, take the time to explore our 104 Ways to Make Your Mark. College is the place to discover your future, and 嘿嘿视频 offers so many ways to try out different pathways to get there.

Sharon Knox is director of communications for . She shares stories of the intellectual adventures of undergraduates at 嘿嘿视频. Sharon has traveled the world; studied at University of Maryland, St. John鈥檚 College in Santa Fe and University of Chicago.

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