Choosing college majors and minors that are suitable for you is part of planning your academic program thoughtfully and getting the most from your college experience. Sometimes students fall readily into a major that fits them well. Often, however, it takes some research, exploration, and experimentation to settle into that academic plan that feels right.
Once you reach your sophomore year, it is important to focus on major selection, if you have not done so already. Here are some “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for choosing majors and minors
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"Do’s" for the Major & Minor Seeker
1. Become familiar with all the majors and minors available at UMBC.
Indeed, some academic fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Interdisciplinary Studies (the “build your own major” major), Health Administration and Policy, Ancient Studies, and Business Technology Administration are interesting majors students may not have been aware of prior to arriving at UMBC.
2. Narrow the list to 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes and then do more in depth research.
Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors available on the Department websites. Visit the bookstore and take a look at the 300 and 400 level books and materials required in various majors. If there are concentrations within the major, which would be most appropriate? How many credits are required? Are there any entry requirements (such as gateway courses or a portfolio review)?
3. Use your “general education” courses to experiment with potential majors.
Choose your general education courses thoughtfully so you can test your reactions to potential majors by taking an introductory course. Sometimes it is necessary to take that first course in order to know whether a field is truly of interest or not.
4. Talk to people, network and attend events.
Talk to friends, attend Council of Majors meetings, or discuss the major with professors in the field. Also seek out related extracurricular activities and “major” related presentations sponsored by student organizations and various offices on campus. For students who are still exploring their academic options – the SGA & Council of Majors is sponsoring an “Undecided Fest” in the Student Organizations space on Wednesday October 10th from 11:30AM to 2:30 PM.
5. Minors can often provide interesting options and diversification.
Did you know that UMBC now offers minors in Entrepreneurship and Information Systems? Minors can provide a structured way for you to explore additional academic interests, develop specific transferable skills, or even “repurpose” courses from a previous major.
6. Attend the upcoming Donald Asher “How to Get Any Job with Any Major” presentation.
Donald Asher is an internationally acclaimed author and motivational speaker specializing in career development and higher education. He has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and will be speaking at our campus on Wednesday, October 24th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm in Lecture Hall 7 in the ITE Building. Refreshments will be provided and please bring friends and classmates.
All of these activities will help you gain a realistic picture of what choosing a major or minor entails.
A Few “Don’ts” for Major & Minor Seekers
1. Don’t let anyone else choose your academic program for you.
Friends, parents, siblings all have ideas about what you should major in. It is very important that you listen to what they have to say with an open mind, but then make your own individual choice. You are the student and you are making decisions that could affect the rest of your life.
2. Don’t assume that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job.
Many of the skills acquired in college are of a general nature and can be applied in many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors bear only an indirect relationship to the positions they hold.
3. Don’t stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses.
If your grades are low in your major, this is an indication that it is not appropriate for you. Be open to other options in which you can be more successful.
4. Don’t assume that difficulty choosing a major is a sign of weakness or failure.
Some of the most intelligent and creative people have many strong interests and difficulty choosing a primary focus. Combining a major with a minor or certificate program may prove to be a good solution.
5. Don’t just wait to be inspired.
Willingness to take action is often the most important factor in moving forward with a thoughtful decision regarding a major. Getting involved in a community service project, internship, research opportunity, alternative Spring Break, or even pursuing a study abroad opportunity can provide different vantage points from which to consider academic interests and future career directions.
Click here to find out more about all of UMBC's majors and minors!
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS QUESTION:
If you have declared a major, what strategies did you use to make your decision?
Once you reach your sophomore year, it is important to focus on major selection, if you have not done so already. Here are some “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for choosing majors and minors
.
"Do’s" for the Major & Minor Seeker
1. Become familiar with all the majors and minors available at UMBC.
Indeed, some academic fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Interdisciplinary Studies (the “build your own major” major), Health Administration and Policy, Ancient Studies, and Business Technology Administration are interesting majors students may not have been aware of prior to arriving at UMBC.
2. Narrow the list to 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes and then do more in depth research.
Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors available on the Department websites. Visit the bookstore and take a look at the 300 and 400 level books and materials required in various majors. If there are concentrations within the major, which would be most appropriate? How many credits are required? Are there any entry requirements (such as gateway courses or a portfolio review)?
3. Use your “general education” courses to experiment with potential majors.
Choose your general education courses thoughtfully so you can test your reactions to potential majors by taking an introductory course. Sometimes it is necessary to take that first course in order to know whether a field is truly of interest or not.
4. Talk to people, network and attend events.
Talk to friends, attend Council of Majors meetings, or discuss the major with professors in the field. Also seek out related extracurricular activities and “major” related presentations sponsored by student organizations and various offices on campus. For students who are still exploring their academic options – the SGA & Council of Majors is sponsoring an “Undecided Fest” in the Student Organizations space on Wednesday October 10th from 11:30AM to 2:30 PM.
5. Minors can often provide interesting options and diversification.
Did you know that UMBC now offers minors in Entrepreneurship and Information Systems? Minors can provide a structured way for you to explore additional academic interests, develop specific transferable skills, or even “repurpose” courses from a previous major.
6. Attend the upcoming Donald Asher “How to Get Any Job with Any Major” presentation.
Donald Asher is an internationally acclaimed author and motivational speaker specializing in career development and higher education. He has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and will be speaking at our campus on Wednesday, October 24th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm in Lecture Hall 7 in the ITE Building. Refreshments will be provided and please bring friends and classmates.
All of these activities will help you gain a realistic picture of what choosing a major or minor entails.
A Few “Don’ts” for Major & Minor Seekers
1. Don’t let anyone else choose your academic program for you.
Friends, parents, siblings all have ideas about what you should major in. It is very important that you listen to what they have to say with an open mind, but then make your own individual choice. You are the student and you are making decisions that could affect the rest of your life.
2. Don’t assume that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job.
Many of the skills acquired in college are of a general nature and can be applied in many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors bear only an indirect relationship to the positions they hold.
3. Don’t stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses.
If your grades are low in your major, this is an indication that it is not appropriate for you. Be open to other options in which you can be more successful.
4. Don’t assume that difficulty choosing a major is a sign of weakness or failure.
Some of the most intelligent and creative people have many strong interests and difficulty choosing a primary focus. Combining a major with a minor or certificate program may prove to be a good solution.
5. Don’t just wait to be inspired.
Willingness to take action is often the most important factor in moving forward with a thoughtful decision regarding a major. Getting involved in a community service project, internship, research opportunity, alternative Spring Break, or even pursuing a study abroad opportunity can provide different vantage points from which to consider academic interests and future career directions.
Click here to find out more about all of UMBC's majors and minors!
EXTRA CREDIT BONUS QUESTION:
If you have declared a major, what strategies did you use to make your decision?
