choosing a major

If you have not yet gone through the Self Assessment section of this site, take some time to do so. Your major and career selection process will go much more smoothly after you have a grasp on your values and what you want most out of life. Once you have learned about your values, interests, personality type, and skills, take a break and relax.

Eventually, your next step is to find a quiet place and think about what you learned and how it will influence your career choice. Do you have an interest in being a nuclear physicist, but you have no idea what an atom is? Do you count numbers faster than a calculator, but have an interest in being a screenwriter? Do you want to work for a nonprofit organization and be a millionaire within 5 years?

Making a decision about a career or major is never easy, but when you take time to analyze your values, interests, skills, and personality type, you will see a pattern forming as the same careers keep popping up. You will also find careers you do not want to do, and that’s great news, through the process of elimination. You can now concentrate on the careers that are a good fit for you. Research careers in the Career Resource Library, talk to a mentor or Rollins alum, find a summer job, and register for an internship. Finding a great career takes hard work, but always remember that Career Services is here to help.

Since career planning and major selection go hand in hand, let's focus on how to explore and choose a major at Rollins.

Before the end of your sophomore year, you will be required to declare a major. This choice will direct your remaining years towards a focused area of study. Many people have a difficult time choosing a major because:

They believe their choice of major dictates their eventual career, when in fact (with a few exceptions), a major does not restrict career opportunities. A major may lead to decisions about the future, but it doesn’t predict the future.

They think that choosing one major will restrict them from studying other subjects of interest - it won’t (however, a double major leaves little room for electives).

They do not have enough information about the various academic choices available to them.

They are influenced by others (usually parents or peers) to choose a major they really do not like.

Your challenge is to choose a major based on your values, interests, skills, and personality type. Discover how the knowledge and skills gained in a major can be applied to various career fields. Begin by asking yourself:

Am I drawn to fine arts, business, the life sciences, the mathematical sciences, the humanities, or combinations of these areas? Do I enjoy subjects focused on data or people; numbers or words?

How do I learn best: Lecture? Small group discussion? Case studies? Hands on applications?

Are there courses I have taken that I truly enjoy? Are there similarities in these courses?

In which academic areas do I excel?

Do I prefer to study one subject in depth, or would I like to incorporate several subject areas into my major?

Next, become informed about your major options:

Read the Rollins catalog and talk to your academic advisor.

Visit Career Services and:
1) talk to a career counselor
2) read books on "What Can I Do With a Major In...", handouts, etc.
3) take an interest or values assessment on the Choices Planner computerized career guidance program

Visit academic departments and observe classes in departments of interest. Volunteer or work part-time in an academic department.

Talk to students in the major you are considering.

Write to associations representing particular academic areas. Your professors will know these associations and they are also listed in the book, National Trade & Professional Associations, in the Career Resource Library.

Volunteer with local organizations that interest you.

Call companies to set up informational interviews to discuss careers and majors that companies look for in graduates.

Work in summer employment positions related to your major.

Gain experience through on-campus leadership positions with extracurricular groups.

Participate in an internship.

13 Lucky Questions To Ask About Majors I Want To Investigate

How many credit hours are required to complete this major?

What prerequisites are required to enter or complete this major?

Is it possible to minor in this area, as well as major?

Who are the professors in this academic department?

What specifically interests me about this major?

Why would I expect to do well in this course of study?

List four skills I would need to be successful in the study of this major?

Does this major require any laboratory time, internships, or study abroad? If so, what are these requirements?

Is there a minimum grade required for each course in this major? If so, what?

Looking through the Rollins online catalog, how many of the courses offered in this major genuinely appeal to me?

What are other majors that might be similar to this one?

What is the connection between this major and my career plans?

What are examples of careers of Rollins graduates with this major?

Gather all the information you’ve researched and compare the results and experiences to discover the similarities. You will find certain interests appearing time and time again, or you may eliminate areas you had previously considered. Remember that good planning gives you a better chance of choosing the major that’s right for you. But if you find the major you choose is not right for you, it is NOT the end of the world. Forty percent of college students change their major at least once. If you change your major, you may have to take a summer school class or even an additional semester of classes. But remember it’s your decision. Make it count.

Click here to see a list of majors and minors offered at Rollins.