Some students enter college knowing what they want to study, while others take time to explore their options. Sometimes students may start on one path and then end up on a completely different one. Each journey to choosing a college major is unique and that is OKAY!

If you are still considering your options, we are here to offer some thoughts on the major decision process:

• Educate yourself on all of UMBC’s academic programs - majors, minors and certificates.
• Consider your strengths and interests - what subjects do you enjoy studying? What type of classroom setting do you prefer? What have you been skilled at academically in the past?
• Discuss your options with an academic advisor in The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising - the go-to advising office on campus for students exploring majors or transitioning between majors.
• Create a few academic plans to determine which program will help you get to your graduation goal faster or will best provide you with the overall college experience you are seeking (for example, if you know you want to study abroad, perhaps seeing which majors would be best aligned with your study abroad goals would help choose your path).
• Don’t assume that your college major has to align with a specific type of job. Many majors offer pathways to various when you consider the actual skill set you are gaining from a particular major.
• If you are really stuck, ask for input from those who know you best, but ultimately make the choice yourself.
• If you have family pressures to pursue a specific major, what other ways you can bring your interests into your academic pathway? A minor? An extracurricular activity?
• Explore parallel paths when your chosen major isn’t working out academically. For example, if you are struggling with the math and science components of Computer Science, perhaps Information Systems, another technology-focused major, might be a better fit.

**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT** 

One timely way to explore UMBC's diverse majors is to attend our upcoming Major Event the week of October 30th.

While we certainly support students taking their time to make this important decision, we do encourage students to decide on a major no later than the end of their sophomore year. This will help ensure you are on track for a timely graduation.

Happy Exploring!

Helpful Links

Advising Contact List

FOCUS2 and other self-assessment tools via the Career Center

UMBC prides itself on being a place where undergraduate research is encouraged, providing enriching and rewarding opportunities for its students. We invite you to look into avenues of research and the ample support available as a UMBC student. Whether it's preparing for class assignments or being a part of unique research experiences, UMBC has many resources to explore! 

Check out Research Opportunities at UMBC 

Early exposure to research can enhance your readiness for graduate school and future career paths. More importantly, independent research under the mentorship of UMBC's dedicated, talented faculty members can spark a student's lifelong interest in interdisciplinary learning. As you plan for the rest of your academic career at UMBC, consider getting more involved in unique research opportunities. 

Here are some resources for learning more about research experiences at UMBC: 

• Research Culture at UMBC 

• Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) 

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities and Resources 

Take advantage of free access to a wide range of resources and training designed to support you in your exploration, including: 

• More than 1.1 million books, remote access to electronic journals, and access to more than 100 databases

• Access to e-book collections at UMBC and e-book sources online 

• Subject librarians who can provide personalized, one-on-one research appointments to help you navigate library resources so you can get organized and get your work done! 

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) -- Need a book UMBC doesn't have? No problem! ILL lets you request books and other materials from other institutions connected to UMBC's network and send them to you-- free of charge! 

• Workshops and Tutorials -- Take your research to the next level! Learn about library resources and expert search techniques to be a more effective researcher. 

• Special Collections -- The Special Collections Department collects materials of enduring historical and cultural value -- housing, preserving, and making accessible materials that are original, rare, unique, fragile, and archival. Contact the staff for on-site as well as remote support! 

• Loaner Laptop Program -- This program provides the UMBC community access to Mac, Windows, and Chrome laptops on a first-come, first-served temporary basis. 

• Digital Media Lab -- The Digital Media Lab provides all UMBC students with tools to create and edit audio, video, and graphic design objects. There's equipment available for use within the space itself and some that can be checked out. Equipment and software are available on a self-serve basis, with access to staff assistance, manuals and online help! 

Make sure you follow the AOK Library on myUMBC and check the website for any updates! 

UMBC has countless tools available to launch your research journey. We hope you plan to explore all these options on campus to help you conquer class assignments and undertake independent. May you flourish as a Retriever researcher!