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For college freshman and sophomores to assist them in the process of choosing a major
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Major Matchmaker IIntroducti
on
Major Myths
Decision Making Process
Interests
Career Liftoff
Interpretation
Introduction•Where do you stand in the major selection process?
•What have you done to contribute towards making a decision?
MAJOR MATCHMAKER
TRUTH MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
Most students know what they want to major in when they start college
Some people may have a major or career in mind when they enter college, but the majority of entering college students change their minds
about majors and careers several times
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
I have to pick one major
There are several ways to combine interests in more than one major. It is possible, for example,
for students to complete ‘double majors’ or complete one or more minors
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
If I pick the right major, I will love every class
It is rare to find a student who loves every class in his or her major. Don’t be discouraged too early from continuing in a major program if an introductory class isn’t the best.
Review the upper level classes and talk to professors.
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
I don’t have to be 100% certain about my major choice
While it is important to make a well-informed decision, you will never be 100% certain about your major choice,
so it is best to make the ‘best choice’ for now and continue to re-evaluate that choice once you are in it
TRUTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
I should complete all of my general education courses before starting classes for my major
It is actually recommended that you try taking at least one course relating to a possible major
your freshman year
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
The major I choose will determine my career
Most employers care just as much about your work-related experience and skills as they do your major. One
major can actually lead to many different careers and one career can be reached through many different majors
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
The career that is right for me now will be right for me my whole life
Career planning is an ongoing, never-ending process. You will probably re-address your career plans several times
during your life. The typical person entering the workforce will have 5 or 6 different occupations before he or she
retires
MYTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
I don’t have to be “pre-med” or “pre-law” or complete a specific major to go to a professional
school
While some professional schools require or recommend the completion of certain academic prerequisites, in most cases no specific major is
required.
TRUTH
major TRUTH or major MYTH?
Social science, humanities, and arts majors are unemployable unless you become a teacher
The specific skills you develop from these academic concentrations may be more important than that particular degree. Students with these majors find
meaningful work in business, research, government agencies, and various other occupations
MYTH
Decision Making Process
Knowing how you make decisions
Knowing about your options
Knowing about yourself
interests, values, skills
majors, careers
make one
InterestsWhat do you truly enjoy?
What holds your attention?
What classes have you taken that you enjoyed?
Career LiftoffThe Doers
The Organizers
The Creators
The Helpers
The Persuaders
The Thinkers
Homework• Choose 10 classes (total) from any majors that you are
considering that look interesting and that you want to take while you are in college
*UNDERGRADUATE CATALOGUE (found on Meredith.edu)• Choose 3 careers that seem the most interesting and gather
more information about them.- OOH; O*NET*bls.gov/ooh *onetonline.org
• Talk to a faculty member in the major that you are most interested in OR that you have the most questions about and ask them some questions about that major
• BE PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
Major Matchmaker IIAt-homeexplorati
on
Values
Skills
Decision
MakingStyles
Resource Activity
ActionPlan
DiscussionWhat did you learn by looking at the course catalogue?
What did you learn while looking at careers?
What did you learn from the faculty you spoke to?
Top Skills Employers Are Looking ForCommunication (listening, verbal, written)Flexibility / Adaptability / Managing Multiple PrioritiesMulticultural Sensitivity / AwarenessAnalytical / ResearchComputer / Technical LiteracyInterpersonal AbilitiesLeadership / ManagementPlanning / OrganizingTeamworkProblem Solving / Reasoning / Creativity
Skills ExerciseThink about a time you were successful…
Think about a time you weren’t successful or when your performance could have been better…
What do these experiences tell you about the skills you already possess & the skills thatyou want to develop?
Values Exercise•Cross out 20 values•Mark an X beside 3 more•Fill in “other” if applicable•Cross out two more•Indicate 5th value and describe below•Indicate 4th value and describe below•Indicate 3rd value and describe below•Indicate 2nd value and describe below•Indicate top value and describe below
Decision Making
Decision Making•Establishing Criteria•Process of Elimination•Pros & Cons•Random / Coincidence Methods•Intuition•Divination•Participative Decision Making•Following the expert’s opinion•Taking the most opposite action•Satisficing•Asking advice
Resources Activity•Identify some ways you can learn more about majors
•Identify some people who you can talk to that can give you information to help in your decision making
•Identify some ways to gain experience and skills
Action StepsONLINE
•What Can I Do With This Major?•Undergraduate Catalogue•O*Net•Occupational Outlook Handbook•Professional school websites•Employer websites•Career Spots (on CareerLink)
PEOPLE•Faculty•Your advisor•Upperclassmen / Alumni•People in the field of interest•Parents, parents’ friends, friends’ parents
Gaining Experience…•Take some classes•Informational Interviewing•Job Shadowing•Internship & Co-op
•Part-time job•Clubs & Extracurriculars•Community Involvement•Service Learning•Study Abroad
How Can ACP Help?Self-
Assessments
The Resource
Center
Workshops,
Networking
Events, &CPS
101/301
Four YearPlanning &
Major Exploratio
n
Career Exploration
•Career Planning Appointments
•Co-ops & internships
•Resume clinics
•Mock Interviews
What’s Next?•Make a plan of action•Carry out your plan•Revise and rewrite your plan until you are ready to…
make your major
selection
