How to Choose Your Major

Written by Irene Thomas, UMBC '21

College is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. Part of that self-discovery comes from deciding what you see yourself doing in the future, which can be challenging. You may think, "But that's so far away," or "I'm too young to be thinking about that"- although that may be true, having an idea of what you see yourself doing in the future will help you be as academically successful as you can be here at UMBC.

Consider these "Do's" and "Don'ts" for choosing a major:  

"DO's" for Choosing a Major: 

Get to know all the majors available at UMBC. 

Some major fields may be utterly unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Individualized Study (the "build your own major" major), Public Health, Geography, and Environmental Systems, and Business Technology Administration are interesting majors students may not have been aware of before arriving at UMBC. There's no harm in looking through the list - you never know what you might find! 

**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT** 

One timely way to explore UMBC's diverse majors is to attend our upcoming Major Event on November 16! 

Educate yourself on potential majors. 

Talk to an advisor or current students in the major you're interested in so that you can get a better understanding of the potential courses and paths you may want to pursue in your selected major. Researching on your own is highly recommended, as well. 

List 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes. 

Take courses that are steered towardthe potential majors you have chosen. Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors on the Department websites. 

"DON'Ts" for Choosing a Major: 

Don't let anyone else choose your major for you. 

Your parents, friends, and siblings all have ideas about what you should major in, and it is okay to listen to their insights, but ultimately it is essential to make your own choice. You are the student, and you are making the decision that could affect your future career trajectory (at least in the short run – many people change careers throughout their lifetime!). 

Refrain from assuming that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job. 

The skills acquired from college are of a general nature that can be applied to many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors only have an indirect relationship to their positions. 

Don't stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses. 

If you notice your grades are low in your major, this may indicate that it is inappropriate. Consider other options in which you can be more successful!

If you think you need extra support in major exploration, The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising is always here to assist you! Students are always welcome to set up an advising appointment with an OAPA advisor.

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