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Making Friends & Finding Your Place
kspencer
“What’s your major?” may be one of the most common questions college students hear. For some, the answer comes easily. Others are still deciding, and many will give a different answer a semester or two from now. If you haven’t chosen a major—or you’re questioning the one you selected—you are far from alone. College gives students opportunities to explore new subjects, recognize their strengths, and discover careers they may never have encountered in high school. Taking time to make a thoughtful choice is often better than rushing into a program that doesn’t fit.
Choosing a major can feel like deciding the course of your entire life, but the connection between a degree and a career is not always direct. Many graduates eventually work in fields unrelated to their undergraduate majors. Employers value communication, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving—transferable skills that can be developed through many areas of study and applied across a wide range of careers. Some professions, including nursing, engineering, accounting, and education, require specific academic preparation. For many students, however, college is less about finding one “perfect” major and more about building knowledge, developing useful skills, and discovering where their interests may lead.
If you are undecided, don’t simply wait for clarity to arrive. Use your first year to explore with purpose. Take an interesting elective, visit the Career Center, and talk with professors or advisors. Clubs, campus organizations, research opportunities, and conversations with upper level students can also provide valuable insight. The more actively you explore, the better prepared you will be to make an informed decision.
Changing majors is common. New courses, internships, research, and campus involvement often introduce students to interests they could not have anticipated when they first enrolled. Before making a change, meet with your academic advisor to understand how it may affect your graduation plan. Determine which completed credits will still count and whether a related major might provide a better fit without adding unnecessary time. A thoughtful conversation now can help prevent complications later.
When weighing your options, think beyond job titles and ask yourself:
→ Which classes do I genuinely enjoy?
→ What kinds of problems do I like solving?
→ Which activities hold my attention?
→ What type of work environment appeals to me?
→ Have I discussed my options with an advisor or career counselor?
