Majors are like garments; they need to fit you. Just as your older brother's coat looks baggy on you or your feet hurt from the nice-looking shoes you bought even though they pinched your toes in the store, you may find that some garments (or majors) are not the best fit for you.
Consider the Tom Baker as Dr. Who action figure accompanying this article (photo credit: Newton, Infinite Hollywood). Do his garments seem ill-fitting? His jacket bulging? His scarf absurdly voluminous? Of course, and this garb may well impede his efforts to fend off Daleks with his magic screwdriver! This
may be why later Dr. Whos (David Tennant, Matt Smith) wore more practical
outfits.
Similarly, the major you thought would fit you when you declared it may be bagging or bulging on you or squeezing you now. The majority of college students change their choice of major at least once (and sometimes more than once). But in order to move into a new major or minor that fits better, consider the "Do's" and "Don'ts" below.
"Do’s" for the Major & Minor/Certificate Seeker
1. Become familiar with all the majors, minors, and certificates available at UMBC.
Indeed, some academic fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school or your prior college. 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.
5. Consider minors and certificates as interesting options for diversification.
Did you know that UMBC offers 34 minors and 24 certificates? Minors and certificates 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. Explore careers.
If you already know what you want to do as a career, this is a great first step. If not, the FOCUS tool offered through the Career Center website is an excellent starting point. The Woofound Compass is a visually intriguing way to find out more about yourself and obtain some career insights. INSIDER TIP: it is actually a fun activity!
When you have identified some “good fit” careers, think about what skills or knowledge you need for that career can help guide you to a major and potentially a minor or certificate program.
A Few “Don’ts” for Major & Minor/Certificate 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. A degree in a specific area does not necessarily mean you are only limited to jobs in that field. After all, Kevin Costner (star of “Dances with Wolves,” “Waterworld”) is not working as an accountant today!
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 may be 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 studying abroad can provide different vantage points from which to consider academic interests and future career directions.
6. Don’t pick a major based on how much money graduates make.
Picking a major based solely or primarily on potential salary earnings is a bad idea. This can lead you to something that you do not enjoy or may not be good at. Realistically, potential salary earnings could be a factor in picking one major over the other, but do not make it the primary reason.
Click here to find out more about all of UMBC's majors, minors, and certificates!
Other Resources
Additional guidance and suggestions for students choosing a major are available on the Academic Advising website here. Students exploring majors are always welcome to make an appointment with an advisor in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising by calling 410-455-2729 or sending an e-mail to arc@umbc.edu. In addition, the Advising Office (located in the Academic Services Building) has a resource library that includes:
- How to get Any Job with Any Major by Donald Asher (See related video here.)
- How to Choose a College Major
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Choosing a College Major
The Career Center website includes a feature called “Career Path” that tracks the connection between UMBC majors and careers pursued by alumni. The Career Center website also includes links to “What Can I Do with my [fill in one of UMBC’s 45 majors] Major?” handouts that are very helpful in illustrating the many types of jobs that students in various majors can aspire to.
Extra Credit Discussion Question: Do you know someone who ended up working in a field that you would not have predicted based on their college major? If so, tell us about them in the comments section below.
