Choosing the Right Major

Many college students are troubled by questions about career direction and choosing a major. If you are one of those students, here are some myths about choosing a major that may help you put these questions into perspective.

Myths About Choosing a Major

A specific academic major exists for every career field
Some career fields do require a specific credential, such as teaching or nursing, and some, such as public accounting or music, are difficult to enter without the proper background. However, most career fields do not require a specific major and most majors will allow you to excel in a number of occupations. Even though there is a good chance that your first job might be somewhat related to your major, many people eventually end up in all kinds of jobs that have nothing to do with their undergraduate degree.

Liberal arts degrees are not marketable
Some of the most successful people in the United States have liberal arts degrees. Otterbein graduates have become successful business managers, computer specialists, consultants, and even CEOs with degrees in English, history, and art. Your unique blend of capabilities, interests and experiences are what make you marketable, not just your academic major.

Everyone seems to know what they want to do after college except me
At Otterbein, as well as in most colleges around the nation, the most popular major is "undecided." Over 50% of all college students change their major at least once. If you are unsure about your career goals, you are not alone. Even though choosing a major is an important step, it does not determine your entire future.

If I change my major, I'll never be able to graduate in four years
The courses in your major account for approximately one third of the credits you will earn. Two thirds of your courses consist of Integrative Studies courses and electives. That gives you some room to experiment with courses to determine what you would like to major in.

Then why should I choose a major?
Exploring some academic area in depth helps to strengthen and focus your comprehensive learning skills and develop your own unique talents to the fullest. What you enjoy studying the most will most actively engage you in the process of becoming an educated person. Give yourself some time to explore and try some of the following tips:

• Choose elective courses that will allow you to explore fields that interest you.
• Study the college catalog to learn about the courses and requirements of different majors.
• Let the Career Center help you assess your natural abilities, interests, and work values in order to discover compatible majors and careers.
• Talk to upper class students about their majors.
• Attend Career Center programs on career exploration and decision making.
• Spend an hour or two at the Career Center with FOCUS II, the interactive software program that helps match you to careers fields.
• Take some vocational interest inventories and have them interpreted by the Career Center.
• Research career options utilizing books, periodicals, association information, and the Internet.
• Talk to people in career fields you are considering; ask the Career Center for contacts.

Making the Decision
When making your decision, there are several different approaches that may suit your particular circumstances:

Choose a major that provides a good background for a specific professional area you hope to pursue.
The career path you have chosen may require a Master's or PhD. Choose a major that will provide the knowledge base needed for entry into those programs.

Choose a major that has the potential to develop you as a human being. The liberal arts prepare you to be a well-rounded, informed person. Humanities courses offer you an opportunity to gain a broader view of the world. By combining this knowledge with work experience, campus activities, and carefully chosen electives, you will be prepared to enter the job market.

Choose a major that combines a liberal arts education with technical training. Combine a major and a minor, or double major in areas of interest that will develop specific skills. For example, some good combinations might include music and business, English and marketing, or communications and psychology.

Develop a major to fit your needs. If you have set career goals that do not fit within the present requirements of the current major system, you have the opportunity to create a major of your own using a combination of the courses available. You must work with a faculty member to create your major and it must be approved by the Curriculum Committee.

Questions to Ask About Academic Departments
Before making a final decision about a major, ask these questions:

• What classes make up this program? What electives are suggested?
• What are students like in this field? How do my interests compare to theirs'?
• Is this a major field in which I expect to perform well?
• What are the typical methods of teaching and learning in this program?
• How does the program's level of difficulty compare with my own abilities and dedication?
• What will my skills and competencies be when I finish this program?
• What kinds of career fields do graduates in this program typically enter?

What Does Determine my Future, if my Major Does Not?
Your career path is likely to be determined by a combination of factors:

• Education:Your major, minor, electives, grades, academic honors, colleges attended and degrees.
• Activities: College or community involvement in clubs and organizations, Greek life, community service, athletics, cultural events, leadership involvement, and committee work.
• Experience: Internships, summer and interterm jobs, part-time and work-study jobs, research and project work, and travel.
• Skills: The abilities and skills you have developed through your involvement in education, activities and work.
• It is your ability to apply your knowledge, skills and abilities to work environments that will make you successful!