“Major” Decision Steps
Identify
- What activites do I enjoy during my spare time?
- What activities do I do well? What have I done in the past that makes me especially proud?
- What classes have I most enjoyed?
- Is this a major field in which I can perform well?
- What do I value? How does that affect my academic/career interests?
- What are my life circumstances and how might they affect my decision?
- What are my career goals? How do they fit with my values, interest, abilities?
- Why am I considering this career? Because it would be easy? Because it would ensure a high salary? Because it has inherent value?
Define your interests and values at
Schools in Texas.com (click the "Plan" tab)
NextSteps.org
Career Zone California
Or, take one offered through the Career Development office. Call 942-2255 to schedule an appointment.
Investigate
- Read about the careers you are considering and verify that they do/are what you thought. Find out what the outlook and salary projections are for various careers.
- Conduct informational interviews with people currently in your dream job(s) to learn about that profession. Ask to shadow them for a day or two.
- Volunteer in your field of interest to gain a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of professionals in that field.
- Talk with alumni about their choices, visit professors and read professional literature.
- Visit Career Development to meet with the Career Counselor who can help you evaluate the information you have collected and guide you through the decision making process.
Locate Occupational Information at
America's CareerInfo Net
O*Net Online
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Texas Career Center (under "Plan" tab)
Implement
- Review majors available at ASU; create a list that matches your values, interests, and abilities.
- Try taking introductory courses in the majors you are considering.
- Get hands-on experience in an internship that complements your academic choice.
- Work part-time in a field related to your potential major.
- Attend Career Development events such as the Professional Job Fairs and the Teacher Job Fairs.
Blast Off! Declare your major and meet with your Academic Advisor to develop your plan of study.
Your Major Matters!
You are about to invest several years of your life studying something in great detail. It might as well be a subject in which you are interested! You may earn $3,000,000 or more in your lifetime and spend 1/3 of your life working, so choose a launch pad that will send you in the desired direction.
Explore common job titles and employers associated with major(s) at
The Career Center
Career Services Center at the University of Delaware
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
| Job Function | Average Salary Offer |
|---|---|
| Sales | $38,894 |
| Management Trainee | $39,535 |
| Teaching | $33,261 |
| Consulting | $51,563 |
| Financial/Treasury Analyst | $49,162 |
| Accounting (Private) | $45,162 |
| Project Engineering | $50,602 |
| Design/Construction Engineering | $50,602 |
| Accounting (Public) | $46,358 |
| Software Design & Dev. | $54,392 |
*Data are for bachelor's degree candidates.
NACE Fall 2007 Vol. 46 Issue 4
ASU Undergraduate Programs of Study
- Accounting
- Animal Business
- Animal Science
- Applied Physics
- Art
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Drama
- Education
- English
- Finance
- French
- General Studies
- German
- Government
- History
- International Business
- Journalism
- Kinesiology
- MIS
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Medical Technology
- Music
- Natural Resource Management
- Nursing
- Pre-Engineering
- Pre-Med
- Professional Accountancy
- Psychology
- Physics
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Studio Art