August 30, 2010
Morton H. Shaevitz, Ph.D. and Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz
What do you think is the most popular undergraduate major at American four-year colleges and universities? If you say, undecided, you are right on the button. Unless you are one of those fortunate freshmen who knew at ten years old you wanted to be a neurosurgeon, Supreme Court judge or engineer, you probably haven’t chosen a major either. If pushed to come up with a major, your choice is probably based on less than the best information. Even more, you probably have no idea how the major you have chosen can be linked to some kind of career after four years of college. Enter the college career center.
Are Career Centers Just for Upperclassmen?
Most college students see career centers as resources mostly for juniors and seniors who are planning their entrances into the world of work or graduate school. Few freshmen, or for that matter, sophomores ever think about their career center as a service for them. This is simply not true. As a matter of fact, one of the best ways for students to get a sense about themselves and how that knowledge relates to what they should major in is to make an early visit to the career center.
What Happens When You Go to a Career Center
What usually happens is that you will meet with a trained professional, and perhaps take a few interest and personality tests to help identify possible career paths that suit you. Then you will find out what majors help you reach those career paths. To gain some idea about what’s involved in different careers, most college career centers offer open information sessions that describe jobs and careers all the way from Art to Geology to Zoology. They also usually offer drop-in counseling opportunities to talk with counselors about what it’s like to be in business, science, education, and other career areas.
Myths about Some Majors and Careers
Consulting with your college’s career center may dispel some of the myths that many students have about majors and careers. For example, a common myth is that if you want to go to law school, you have to major in Political Science? In fact, the American Bar Association doesn’t recommend any undergraduate major at all. Rather it suggests you take courses that interest you and also develop your research and writing skills. Another myth is that if you want to go to med school, you must major in a science. Right? Well, not necessarily. Most undergraduate students are unaware that many medical schools are looking for applicants who major in something other than biology. They welcome people who major in history, English or art, so long as they take appropriate science courses along the way. Career centers are also often wonderful resources for getting information about summer internships that give students experiences in working in real world occupations.
So, rather than fumbling around for a year or two with no direction or waiting to be struck by an occupational lightening bolt, consider an checking in with your college career center as a freshman. Not only might you get pointed in the right direction, but the involvement might help you have an undergraduate experience that is rich, interesting and focused.
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