PLANNING YOUR FUTURE

Choosing a Major www.career.uci.edu

Self-Assessment True Fact

ASK YOURSELF:
IT IS BELIEVED THAT
• What are your skills and abilities?
UP TO 50% OF STUDENTS
• What are your interests?
CHANGE THEIR MAJOR
• What learning / testing style are you most comfortable with?
o Do you prefer problem solving over reading? AT LEAST ONCE.
o Writing exams over multiple choice? SOME STUDENTS CHANGE
Many majors have a certain style for learning and test taking THEIR MAJOR TWO OR
• What are you looking for in a career? THREE TIMES.
o Money? Job Security? Prestige? Creativity?
Many jobs don’t require a certain major, but some do Not sure if you should change your
TAKE AN ASSESSMENT major? Try this test taken from
such as the Strong Interest Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator www.fastweb.com.
(make an appointment with a career counselor for more information) Give yourself one point for every
question you answer YES.
Research Careers
 Do you get bored in your current
USE YOUR NETWORK major’s classes?
(including LinkedIn) to find alumni and community members in various
fields and conduct informational interviews. Ask what major they were, if  Are you doing poorly in your
a certain major is required for that field, and what they recommend for a current major’s classes?
student looking to work in that field someday  Did you choose your major
GAIN EXPERIENCE without much thought?
in that field through an internship, volunteer experience, research
 Do you keep reading / asking
project, etc.
about other majors?
 Do you keep entertaining the idea
Research Majors of switching majors?
PICK UP
0 – 1 points: You’re probably fine
a copy of the General Catalogue at the UCI bookstore (or go to
staying where you are
www.uci.edu and select “Academics” on the menu bar) and eliminate all
majors that do not interest you 2 points: Think about changing your
RESEARCH ALL REMAINING MAJORS major and talk with a career counselor
by viewing their department’s website and/or speaking with an academic about it
advisor. Make note of: 3 – 5 points: It’s probably time to
• Prerequisites change your major
• Minimum GPA to enter major
• Are students in the major on a set track, or can you take classes whenever MAJOR ≠ CAREER
you want?
• What types of classes will you be able to take? Keep in mind that you may pursue
• What are your career options after graduation? many kinds of careers with each
major. Skills and experience will also
IF YOU HAVE NOT CHOSEN A MAJOR YET, be important factors that impact your
make an appointment with a career counselor to help with the decision career options.
making process

UCI DIVISION OF CAREER PATHWAYS | 100 STUDENT SERVICES 1 | (949) 824-6881 | CAREER.UCI.EDU | REVISED: JUL 2018