Major and Minor Exploration
Nationally, of students who enter their first year of college undecided, 22% are completely undecided, while 31% are tentatively decided and 43% have several ideas but are not ready to decide (Gordon and Steele, 2003). One of every five first-year students at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) comes in undeclared as his or her major. Further, even though many students do enter IWU with a major, this often changes once they start taking classes. Whether you are undecided or contemplating a change of major, there are appropriate resources available to you at IWU!
Strategies
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Utilize the resources on campus in the Office of Academic Advising (Holmes Hall - Room 110, through the Office of the Registrar) and in the Hart Career Center in the Welcome Center.
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Evaluate your interests, skills, values and how they will coincide with various majors and career paths. Make lists!
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Research the majors offered at IWU and start to gain more information about them. Eliminate programs you know you are not interested in.
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Visit department homepages of majors that are of interest to you.
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Attend meetings of student and professional organizations that interest you.
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Pursue course work and co-curricular activities that expand your knowledge about fields of study and help you develop additional skills. This will aid you in self-assessment in the major and career decision-making process. Computer, foreign language, leadership, and communication skills are valuable in any profession.
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Talk to friends and classmates about their majors, minors, and career paths. Talk to professors and advisors about programs and majors related to courses and subjects that interest you.
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Search for specific professions you are interested in on the Occupational Outlook Handbook to get an overview of the profession and education needed: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
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Use the Internet to search for information on potential academic and career interests.
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Remember that a liberal arts degree can lead you to a variety of different career paths!
Resources
Contact information:
Illinois Wesleyan University
Holmes Hall 110
1312 Park Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-556-3231 (phone)
309-556-3436 (fax)
advising@iwu.edu