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The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major Myth #1 : Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.
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Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Mar 31, 2015

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Aylin Mepham
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Page 1: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a

MajorMyth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they

enter college.

Page 2: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Myth #2: It is better to declare a major than be "undecided.“

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major

Page 3: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Myth #3: There is only one major that will allow me to reach my goal.

1 1

1 1 1

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major

Page 4: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Myth #4: An academic major ties you to a specific career path. If I pick the wrong major, I’ll end up in the wrong career.

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major

Page 5: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Where do you want begin?

Research What can I do with a Major in…?

http://valenciacc.edu/careerdevelopment/ConnectMajorstoCareers.cfmhttp://careerservices.rutgers.edu/CareerHandouts.htmlhttp://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/http://www.udel.edu/CSC/mrk.htmlhttp://www.k-state.edu/acic/majorin/

Major Career

Page 6: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major

Myth #5: Students majoring in the arts, humanities, or social sciences are either not qualified for any job (e.g., what do you do with a degree in philosophy?), or are only qualified for careers in those specific areas (e.g., philosopher) so they won’t be able to find a job.

Page 7: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Myth #6: I'll just take all of my General Education Requirements first.

Social Science Humanities English

Math Communication Technology

Arts

The Myths and Realities of Choosing a Major

Page 8: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Famous People QuizTest your ability to figure out what

celebrities majored in what academic subjects.

Page 9: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

CELEBRITIES:

1.   Oprah Winfrey 2.   Gene Simmons 3.   Steven Spielberg 4.   Bruce Lee 5.   Jodie Foster 6.   Mick Jagger 7.   Tiger Woods 8.   Steve Martin 9.   David Letterman  10. Hugh Heffner  11. Paul Newmann 12. Arnold Schwarzenegger  13. Isaiah Thomas 14. John Elway  15. Thurgood Marshall 16. David Robinson 17. Montel Williams 18. Bill Clinton 19. Brooke Shields 20. Michael Jordan

MAJORS?????

 Economics History Philosophy Psychology Communication Arts Speech and Drama Education Criminal Justice Film Business Speech and Drama Mathematics Dentistry French Engineering English Literature Telecommunications International Studies Social Work

Famous People on the Left- Majors on the Right-Match the Celebrity to their Major!

Page 10: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Gene Simmons's flamboyant on-stage antics with his band "Kiss", may come in some way from his earlier academic pursuits.  He majored in education at Richmond College on Staten Island, New York. After graduating, Simmons briefly taught elementary school in New York's Spanish Harlem neighborhood.

-The correct answer: Education

#2

Page 11: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Hugh Hefner, who founded Playboy magazine, majored in psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he presumably learned a thing or two about the average American male psyche. Even with two additional minor courses of study in writing and art, Hefner doubled his course load and graduated in just two and one-half years.

-The correct answer: Psychology

#10

Page 12: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

David Robinson, NBA basketball great for the San Antonio Spurs. Won numerous NBA titles.  Robinson is often considered one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. A born-again Christian, Robinson is also an amateur musician who enjoys playing various instruments at home. His nicknames include "The Admiral", based on his service as an officer in the United States Navy.

-The correct answer is Mathematics

#16

Page 13: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

What can I do NOW?

The more you understand yourself, the clearer your life goals and the way to reach them will become

Steps to a Major Decision…

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Interests Personality traits & Strengths Values Skills

Make a career counseling appointment or attend a Career Planning workshop to learn about yourself.

Page 14: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

DISCOVERMajors and Careers for your Type

Realistic Investigative Artistic Social Enterprising Conventional

Complete other Career Assessments through RVCC Career Serviceshttp://www.raritanval.edu/career_serv

Page 15: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

What can I do NOW?

Steps to a Major Decision…

Step 2: Gather information and explore options 

Page 16: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Research

To Learn More about College Majors…

Examine the majors available to you and review the college catalog. Make a list of your options and eliminate those that don’t interest you.

Read about the majors remaining on your list. Mark the courses in each major that most interest you, match your abilities, and share your values. (This should help you further shorten your list).

Don’t just read the course titles or stop at the course descriptions at the end of the catalog-get specifics and check out the Course Outlines on the Quicklinks drop-down menu!

View academic department web pages

Attend Department Information Sessions.

Check out Major-Career Converters Online!

Page 17: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Steps to a Major Decision…

Step 3: Evaluate and make your major decision 

Weigh pros and cons of optionsNarrow down to 2-3 majors

Discuss with an Advisor or Counselor

What can I do NOW?

Page 18: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Steps to a Major Decision…

Step 4: Take action 

Sample courses in the majors you are considering- Use free electives wisely!

Choose student activities/clubs, internships, volunteer work, and/or part-time employment that can help you further develop your skills in areas that interest you.

Talk with faculty and other students in the majors you’re interested in.

Talk to family, friends, and relatives who work in the career fields you are considering. Ask them about their major and how it helped them.

Go for it! Declare your major.

What can I do NOW?

Page 19: Myth #1: Most students know their major and career goals when they enter college.

Choose a major you truly enjoy-your career will happen

Remember, many times your career is not directly related to your major

From the famous people list you can see how a college degree/major can lead into a wide variety of careers

It’s ok to be undecided, but come and see us in Career Services so we can help guide you through the process.

Summary