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Choose a Major

Choose a Major

Choosing a major is an important step in moving toward a career. You probably feel your child should go to college knowing exactly what he/she wants to do with his/her life. Don't panic if he/she doesn't have a clue! There are a lot of students who go to college without declaring a major. It is also common for students to change their mind at least once. See below for some things to think about when helping your child choose a major.

What does your child like to do?
Did he/she have a favorite subject in high school? In what kind of extracurricular activities was he/she involved? What are his/her favorite hobbies or pastimes? Look at the things your child enjoys to help him/her choose a major.. A self-assessment can help find a major that connects to your child's interests. Colleges will have services to assist students in making this decision. Early in the college experience, your child should visit with the career and academic services on campus. Iowa Choices^® can also be used to take an interest survey.

What are your child's skills?
Does he/she relate well to people? Did he/she always get good grades in math? If you think about the classes your child took in high school, you should be able to see which subjects were his/her best. It may help to start by considering a major in an area in which him/her already has a strength. Using a self-assessment available in either the college career center or  Iowa Choices^® can help your child identify abilities and connect to careers.

Does your child have a career in mind?
If your child already have an idea of what he/she would like to do, choosing a major should be a lot easier. He/she should research the career to find out what type of education or training is required. This should help narrow down a choice of major. It is a good idea to talk with a professional in the field. What type of degree does he/she have? Find out what education or experience he/she is looking for in new hires. Encourage your child to try a job shadow or internship to test drive the career and see if it is a good fit.

Where to go for advice?
Encourage your child to talk with an academic advisor, faculty member, student leader, or alumni who can answer questions about the program he/she may be considering. He/she should research the classes and number of hours that are required for the major and ask to sit in on a class to get a feel for the subject matter. Be sure he/she is prepared to take the prerequisite classes. Keep in mind getting accepted into some programs can be competitive. Your child should know what to expect and have an alternate plan just in case.

Are there financial benefits?
A selected major may be the first step to financial security. There are state and federal loan forgiveness programs available to students who are employed in areas that have been recognized as high-need professions. The financial aid office or loan holder can provide direction on how to access these benefits. In addition, some majors qualify students for additional grant assistance through the SMART Grants (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants) programs. Visit with the financial aid office for more information.