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Choose a Major

Choose a Major

Choosing a major is an important step in moving toward your new career. Do you have a major in mind? You probably have friends who came to college knowing exactly what they wanted to do with their life. If you don't have a clue, don't panic! There are a lot of students just like you who are trying to figure it out. It is common for students to change their mind at least once. See below for some things to think about if you need to choose a major.

What do you like to do?
Did you have a favorite subject in high school? In what kind of extracurricular activities are you involved? What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? Look at the things you enjoy to help you choose a major that you would enjoy. A self-assessment can help you find a major that connects to your interests. Your college will have services to assist you in making this decision. Early in your college experience, visit with the career and academic services on your campus. You can also use Iowa Choices^® to take an interest survey.

What are your skills?
Do you relate well to people? Did you always get good grades in math? If you think about the classes you took in high school, you should be able to see which subjects were your best.  Did you have a part-time job where you excelled? It may help to start by considering a major in an area in which you have strength. Using a self-assessment available in either your college career center or  Iowa Choices^® can help you identify your abilities and connect to careers.

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

Where do you go for advice?
If you are considering a major, talk with an academic advisor, faculty member, student leader, or alumni who can answer questions for you about the program. Research the classes and number of hours that are required for the major. Ask to sit in on a class to get a feel for the subject matter. Be sure you are prepared to take the prerequisite classes. Keep in mind getting accepted into some programs can be competitive. Know what to expect and have an alternate plan just in case.

Are there financial benefits?
The major you select may be the first step to financial security. You may be wondering how that decision could have a possible pay off this early in the game, right? 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 your loan holder can provide you with the information you need to know about 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 the financial aid office on your campus for more information.