Majors & Careers: Selecting & Changing


Choosing a major is an important decision that will shape your student’s college education and subsequent career path. When choosing a major, consider helping your student think about:

  • What keeps their interest and motivation
  • What challenges him/her
  • What reflects his/her values
  • What is within his/her abilities
  • What is a realistic and attainable goal
      

Selecting a major is not a decision that should be made hastily. Students should spend time researching different majors in a variety of fields, talking with academic advisors/counselors, professors and other students.


Steps for Selecting a Major, Changing a Major, or Researching a Major:

  1. Check out "What can I do with this Major?" a convenient resource that will help your student connect UM-Flint majors with careers. You can view outlines of common career areas, typical employers and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities AND lists of websites that provide information about listed majors and related careers.
  2. Research the job market for the majors your student is interested in; the Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great resource.
  3. Encourage your student to engage in one-on-one Career Counseling.  A typical career exploration cycle:

    • Counseling Session #1

      • Discuss the situation
      • Career Assessment given: Discover
      • Schedule a follow-up meeting to review results
      • Identify at least one academic department to meet with

    • Counseling Session #2

      • Review Discover Results
      • Career Assessment given: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
      • Career Research
      • Handout with list of how to research careers
      • Declare a major
      • Schedule a follow-up meeting
      • Identify at least one academic department to meet with

    • Counseling session #3

      • Review MBTI Results
      • Career Assessment given: Strong Interest Inventory
      • Career Research
      • Declare a major
      • Schedule a follow-up meeting
      • Identify at least two academic departments to meet with

    • Counseling Session #4

      • Review Strong Results
      • Career Research
      • Declare a major
      • Schedule a meeting with academic department(s) of choice





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