Choosing A Major

There are lots of questions to ask, places to go, and steps to take before you decide on a major. Once you decide, there is the process to declare a major and then you begin planning and preparing for life after graduation. This website is designed to help you with the overall process and was created in collaboration with advisors from the Career Services Center and the Academic Advising Center at Western Washington University.

Have no idea about a major?
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Contact an advisor in the Academic Advising Center or the Career Services Center to make a one-on-one appoitment.


EXAMINE YOUR STRENGTHS, INTERESTS, AND GOALS [top]
Begin by knowing yourself (be honest). Consider your aptitudes, interests, values and limitations, particularly as they apply to your academic performance. If you need help identifying your interests, the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help you clarify your interests and personality preferences. Each assessment yields a listing of careers and majors to consider.
  • What classes have you done well in?
  • Which ones have you enjoyed the most?
  • Which ones do you tend to avoid?
  • What are your career goals after finishing school?

The Career Services Center in Old Main 280 offers both assessments, the Strong and the MBTI, and can help you see where graduates from various majors have found jobs.

IDENTIFY YOUR OPTIONS [top]
Become familiar with what Western has to offer. Start with Western's catalog, reading descriptions of majors and their courses. Make special note of programs that have major declaration requirements and how they apply to your situation. Consider how your own strengths, interests and goals compare with each major. You will naturally gravitate towards some majors and eliminate others. This research should help you narrow your options. 

Develop a list of majors you would like to explore in more detail. At this point, you may also want to schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center (OM 380) to help you clarify any questions you might have about the requirements and to formulate a plan to explore these in more depth.

Choosing a Major list. Use this list of academic departments at WWU. Check the ones that look interesting and spend time exploring the majors they offer.

GATHER INFORMATION  [ top]
You can gather more detailed information about majors by talking with professors, surveying course textbooks and visiting classes. Talking with students in the major can also be very insightful. If possible, enroll in courses which will help you "try on" the major to see how it "fits." Many students benefit from exploring more than one major during any given quarter rather than taking all their courses from one area. 

The more you know about the majors you are considering, the easier your decision will become. Noting the pros and cons of potential majors may be helpful to organize your thoughts. If you're concerned about employment opportunities in these fields, talk with professors and/or staff in the Career Services Center.



MAKE A CHOICE AND EVALUATE   [ top ]
Once you've declared a major, you will find yourself continually evaluating whether or not you made the right choice. As you take more classes, you will determine if the information you gathered supports the choice you've made. If not, you may return to any of the previous steps to re-evaluate and adjust your direction.

Build Employable Skills


THE INVISIBLE CURRICULUM: DEVELOPING EMPLOYMENT SKILLS    [ top ]
Keep in mind employers hire individuals, not majors. Your college degree, major, and grade point average represent your potential to perform a variety of tasks. This is your visible curriculum. Skills you develop through actions outside of your visible curriculum demonstrates to employers your competencies and qualifications for a job. These skills can easily be developed both within and outside of your classroom experience. Consider the following:
  • Teaching, training, instruction, public speaking
  • Technical and/or creative writing, editing
  • Using computers (word-processing, programming, publishing)
  • Designing (posters, newsletters, layout, brochures)
  • Selling
  • Planning events (fund-raising, coordinating, organizing)
  • Managing a budget
  • Working with people (leading, directing, managing)
  • Researching and solving problems
  • Interviewing, counseling
  • Knowledge and use of other languages


GET INVOLVED IN YOUR EDUCATION    [ top ]
Get to know faculty. Discuss with them your goals and interests as well as their academic discipline. Actively participate in class; ask questions, make thoughtful comments, sit in the front row, volunteer for special projects. Get involved in departmental functions sponsored by faculty or clubs. Look for opportunities to help faculty with their research or to be a faculty assistant. Take independent study courses; this is a good way to get to know faculty and to explore special areas of interest. Faculty may also assist you with career decisions and the job search process, and they are an excellent resource for references.


DEVELOP SKILLS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR MAJOR    [ top ]
Many skills are transferable to a wide range of careers. For example, oral and written communication skills are essential to most professions. Take English and Communication courses as well as other classes that encourage you to refine your writing and presentation skills. Research skills are also useful. Take advantage of opportunities to get involved in research projects. Enroll in classes that emphasize research. Competency in a foreign language and knowledge of other cultures may help you achieve your future goals. Become computer literate. Western offers both credit and non-credit courses where you can learn about computers and a variety of software programs. Also, consider taking courses in technical areas that may complement your major and career interests.


GAIN EXPERIENCE    [ top ]
Gain experience through employment, internships, volunteering, and mentoring. Participate in sports, government, clubs, and organizations. These experiences can develop leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills; all highly valued by employers.


DEVELOP JOB SEARCH SKILLS    [ top ]
Successful job search skills will be critical to your finding employment after graduation! These skills include learning how to locate job opportunities and how to apply for jobs, writing effective cover letters and resumes, and developing effective interview techniques. Begin developing job search skills no later than the beginning of your senior year. The Career Services Center, in Old Main 280, can help you learn the process step by step.

REMEMBER...   [ top ]
  • It is the INDIVIDUAL who is employed, not the major.
  • Choosing a major does not necessarily equal choosing a career.
  • Job SEARCH skills are very important - cultivate them!
  • The AVERAGE person changes career 3-5 times and changes jobs 17 times!!
  • Grades are usually considered only for admission into majors or graduate school
  • Your specific major may be LEAST important!
WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR...  [ top ]
  • Completion of a college degree
  • Work experience, a good work ethic


___________________ 
Compiled by the Academic Advising Center and Career Services Center, Western Washington University, Old Main 380, 650-3850, with information from Ehrlich, M., (1992). Academic advisement and the career connection. The Journal of the National Academic Advising Association, 14(4), 1-5.

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