Selecting a Major at UNH Tips, Information, and Activities for Exploration. Explore... Engage Experience! 103 Bartels Student Activity Center 203-479-4230 dwulinsky@newhaven.edu www.newhaven.edu/cdc
Exploring Majors and Careers With so many career opportunities available, it can feel overwhelming to have to narrow a major choice down to only one. Per the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), undecided/exploratory students represent a significant proportion of the entering student body at most colleges and universities. Many other students (between 60% -75%) who begin university studies as declared in majors, change their majors at least once before they graduate. Here are some steps you can follow along your journey of exploration: Step 1: Self-Assessment FOCUS is an online career assessment that will ask you questions related to your skills, personality type, and your work values. It will then provide you with majors and occupations that match your input. FOCUS is just the first step in the exploration process and will match you with potential career types to explore. It will not tell you what you should do with your life! This assessment is just one tool in your resource kit. You can always simply sit down with a Career Coach to discuss majors and careers of interest. To take FOCUS, simply go to: http://www.newhaven.edu/cdc/10987 Access Code: chargers After you take FOCUS, contact the Career Development Center to schedule an appointment to review your results. Step 2: Major & Career Research Once you have taken FOCUS and/or determined a potential career path to follow, research the nature of the work to see if it s still an appropriate fit. Try the following helpful resources: What can I do with a major in? http://www.newhaven.edu/cdc/36476/ Provides information on common career areas, employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Research hundreds of occupations and education requirements for specific fields through the Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco
Get involved, build your skills, and explore major specific clubs through UNH Student Activities: http://www.newhaven.edu/studentlife/campuslife_studentaffairs/student_activities/ Speak with someone in the field you are interested in and conduct an informational Interview: http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html Job shadow for a day, week, or longer to observe a career professional in your interest area: http://www.jobweb.com/jobs/intern.aspx?id=1019 Consider an internship to explore a specific career in more depth. Internships can be completed during the semester or over the summer on a part-time basis and can be for credit or not for credit: http://www.newhaven.edu/cdc/10853/ o Be sure to see an academic advisor in the major if you are doing an internship for credit. Talk with your academic advisor and/or a faculty member about the majors you are considering. Ask about the coursework involved to see if the classes match with your strengths and interests. o Go one step further ask for recommendations of upperclass students you can speak with to gain a students perspective. Take an introductory class in the major to gain a basic framework content covered in the subject area. Step 3: Decision-making Once you ve gone through the assessment process and researched careers that match your interests, abilities and values, hopefully you will feel confident in making a decision about a major to pursue. Now is the time to implement your major choice! If you have two majors that you feel strongly about, you can consider a major/minor combination. Regardless of what major you choose, always speak with your academic advisor to see how you can plan your program of study. Also, please remember that individuals will change jobs and career paths several times. Your major choice in college will not determine your career for life...this is up to you!
The Myths of Choosing a College Major Myth: My major choice will determine my career path. Fact: While some careers do require background in a specific area (engineering, nursing, teaching), others will provide a strong background for a variety of career areas. Many employers are not necessarily concerned with the subject matter of the degree you possess, but rather the skills you have built while pursuing your degree. Abilities such as working well in a team atmosphere, effective written and oral communication, and a solid work ethic are just a few of the skills that employers seek. Also, keep in mind that you will most likely change jobs 6-8 times throughout your life and careers 2-3 times. Your major choice will fade into the background once you build solid work experience. Myth: Being undecided about a major shows I have no direction in life. Fact: It is completely normal to be undecided about a major, especially when there are about 100 to choose from at UNH! Even students who come to the University with a predetermined major may change their minds 2-3 more times once exposed to the variety of subject areas at UNH. Meet with your academic advisor and a Career Advisor in the Career Development Center to explore your options. Myth: A career test will tell me what I major I should pursue. Fact: There is no such thing as a career test because you can t fail something that assesses your attributes! Career assessments can examine your interests, abilities, values and personality and suggest potential majors or careers to explore. UNH uses an online assessment called FOCUS which can be found here: http://www.newhaven.edu/cdc/10987/. It is always recommended you review your results with a Career Advisor for a more in depth interpretation. Myth: With the variety of majors offered at UNH, it is impossible to make a choice! Fact: You can combine majors and minors or double major if you have two specific areas you enjoy. Or, if your chosen major offers substantial electives, use the electives for classes that interest you. Do not double major because you believe it will make you more marketable to employers. Be sure that you think carefully about how combining majors and minors will reach your academic and career goals.
Myth: I must be a pre-med or pre-law major to go to medical or law school. Fact: You can choose any major to pursue medical or law school. In fact, UNH does not offer a pre-law major. For medical school, you will want to be sure that you meet the science requirements within your degree. Law schools value rigorous courses that emphasize critical thinking and effective oral and written communication. Practical experience such as job shadowing (for medical school), internships (law school), and other outside extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment are also highly sought. Myth: Majors in the humanities, arts, and social sciences only prepare you for a specific career in that area (i.e. Psychology=Psychologist).I can t do anything else with these degrees! Fact: As stated previously, employers value individuals who can think critically, analytically and have the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. These majors build and expand these skills! You will see History and Psychology majors in various areas of business, English majors in Public Relations, and Communications majors working for the government. Check out the What Can I Do With a Major In? aspect of the Career Development Center s website to examine the various career paths you can explore with a degree in any of these areas.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS The University of New Haven offers nearly 100 full-time undergraduate degree programs. For a description of each major, please go to www.newhaven.edu/academics/10836/programs. College of Arts and Sciences Art (B.A) Biology (B.S.) Biotechnology (B.S.) Chemistry (B.A.) Communication (B.A.) Dental Hygiene (B.S.) (A.S.) English (B.A.) Environmental Science (B.S.) General Studies (A.S.) Global Studies (B.A.) Graphic Design (B.A.) (A.S.) History (B.A.) Interior Design (B.A.) (A.S.) Liberal Studies (B.A.) Marine Biology (B.S.) Mathematics (B.S.) Music (B.A.) Music and Sound Recording (B.S.) (B.A.) Music Industry (B.A.) Nutrition and Dietetics (B.A.) Political Science (B.A.) Psychology (B.A.) Theatre Arts (B.A.) Undeclared (A.S.) Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences Criminal Justice (B.S.) (A.S.) Corrections* Crime Analysis* Forensic Psychology* International Justice and Security* Investigative Services* Juvenile and Family Justice* Law Enforcement Administration* Victim Services Administration* Fire & Occupational Safety (A.S.) Fire Protection Engineering (B.S.) Fire Science (B.S.) Fire/Arson Investigation* Fire Administration* Fire Science Technology* Forensic Science (B.S.) Legal Studies (B.S.) (A.S.) Dispute Resolution* Paralegal Studies* Public Affairs* Concentrations* Tagliatela College of Engineering Chemical Engineering (B.S.) Chemistry (B.S.) Civil Engineering (B.S.) Computer Engineering (B.S.) Computer Science (B.S.)(A.S.) Electrical Engineering (B.S.) General Engineering (B.S.) Information Technology (B.S.) Mechanical Engineering (B.S.) Sustainability Studies (B.S.) System Engineering (B.S.) College of Business Accounting (B.S.) Business (Management) (B.S.) (A.S.) Finance (B.S.) Hotel and Restaurant Management (B.S) Management (Business Admin.) (B.S.) (A.S) Sports Management (B.S) Marketing (B.S.) Tourism and Hospitality Management (B.S.)
Choosing a Major Exercise Answer the following questions about each major you are considering. Discuss your answers with an academic advisor and career advisor. For the online list of UNH majors, please go here: http://www.newhaven.edu/academics/10836/programs/ Major Option #1: College: 1. How many credits are required to complete this major? 2. Run the what if option in your degree audit. What is your progression toward this degree? 3. How much freedom is there for free electives and flexibility in the order of when classes are taken? 4. Are there any pre-requisite classes for entering the major? 5. Is it possible to minor in this area? 6. Approximately what percentage of the required coursework and course descriptions appeal to you? Why? 7. What about the major is NOT appealing to you? 8. What interests and abilities are critical for students in this major? 9. Does this major require an academic internship or research project? 10. What have graduates from this major gone on to after graduation (employment and/or graduate schools)? 11. What steps do you need to take to learn more about this major? 12. What other majors might be similar to this one? 13. Name 1-2 faculty members you can contact to find out more information about this major. Adapted from Choosing a Major, Messiah College.