- I don't know what I want to major in.
- I am not happy with my major.
If you fit into one of the above categories, read on. You will
learn how to make the right choice when choosing or changing your
major.
Steps to Take
Step 1: Meet with a Career Center
Advisor
The first important step is to meet
with a Career Advisor to learn the process of chooing a satisfying
major
- You can also attend a Choosing Your
Major Workshop
Step 2: Learn More About
Yourself
Choosing a major begins with taking a
look at who you are, your skills, interests, personality and
values. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I interested in?
- What am I good at?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- What subjects do I excel in?
- What subjects cause me
difficulty?
If you are having difficulty with these
questions or are unclear about your skills, interests and values,
make an appointment with a Career Advisor.
They may suggest an Interest Inventory
such as Focus,
an on-line career planning tool, to help you learn more about
yourself.
Step 3: Gather Information About Different
Majors
The more information you gather about
your academic options, the more likely you are to make a better
decision. Pick at least three majors about which you would like to
learn more, then:
- Make an appointment with a Career Center advisor to
assist in organizing the information you have gathered about
yourself
- Attend the Majors
Fair
- Talk to your professors
- Talk to your academic dean's office or
the University Freshman
Center
- Read
about the different majors and course offerings
- Read about educational requirements of
careers that interest you in the Occupational Outlook
Handbook
- Review "What Can I Do
With a Major in?"
- Use the COACH (Count
on Alumni for Career Help) Program through MonsterTRAK. When you
meet with your COACH, you will be asking them questions about their
career and asking for advice about yours. Learn more about this
process of
informational interviewing.
- Read career related books in the Career Center
Library
Step 4: Make Your Decision
What's right for me?
You should begin by comparing your
academic interests to what you learned about yourself through the
self-assessment process.
It is important to recognize challenges
you may face when evaluating your options. The Career Center can assist you in
working through these issues.
Remember, each and every major can lead
to many different career paths. Major in something you enjoy to
make the most of your college experience.
Step 5: Next Steps
How do I put my plan into
action?
Utilize the resources St. John's offers
to make the most out of your college experience.
- Meet with your academic dean or the University Freshman Center
to choose or change your major
- Try to keep your grade point average
high
- Become involved with student
organizations on the Queens, Staten Island or Manhattan campuses
- Build contacts with faculty and
administrators
- Access our COACH (Count
on Alumni for Career Help) Program through MonsterTRAK. When you
meet with your COACH, you will be asking them questions about their
career and asking for advice about yours. Learn more about this
process of
informational interviewing.
- Participate in all Career Center events
- Seek paid or unpaid experience in your
major through MonsterTRAK or
other job
search sources