Make an Excel List of courses
If you are considering multiple majors and cannot make up your mind, don’t panic, just put each major/minor and its required courses into an Excel spreadsheet.
Mark different courses, such as √ for courses you already have credits, ❤ for courses you find interesting or recommended by your friends, and “?” for courses that sound boring, too challenging, or possibly irrelevant. Then you may realize how passionate you are about this major, or how hard it is for you to undertake.
While using Schedule Planner and wondering what courses to take, it is also a good idea to search the specific course number and count how many times it appears in your spreadsheet. A high frequency indicates the course is required by various majors you are interested in, so taking it early is an efficient strategy.
Take Intro Classes and Ask Questions
Some may consider taking a high-level course about a specific topic to explore a major, but I recommend intro-level courses because you will learn about different topics in this field and will not be overly stressed out by the material.
But the more important thing is to ask questions. Ask TAs about the major, since they usually have extensive experience as a student and passion for the field. Go to the professor’s office hours, and most of the time you’ll find them more friendly and patient than you think. Ask about research opportunities or related field trips, and you’ll be surprised by how simple it actually is to gain access to valuable opportunities.
Talk to the major advisor
Yes, you can go to a major advisor before declaring the major! You do not need to know him/her beforehand by taking their classes. They are eager to present the fascinating parts about their fields to you.
But don’t go into a meeting cold turkey. Read the description of the major on the relevant website (note: the General Announcements is the authoritative source for all programs of study), then contact the advisor with your questions, concerns and interests, and ask if you can meet them some time. After that, prepare for an enlightening conversation!
Visit the CCD
So you are still unsure about the major choices. This major interests you a lot but seems hard to find a job. That one has a huge job market but is rather challenging for you…
Then it’s time to go to the Center for Career Development!
The CCD offers numerous appointment types, and the ones that will be helpful for you are Assessment Initial Overview and Interpretation, in which you will take the Strong Inventory and MBTI test and get two detailed reports about your personality and the careers that potentially fit you. You can also use the Major/Career Path Exploration to get a clearer plan for your undergraduate career.
Throughout the process, you will grow more familiar with the different resources and opportunities at CCD, which will be beneficial for your future search for summer internships and jobs.
Search online
Several websites provide reliable and valid information for your major choice and career exploration:
After taking the Strong Inventory test, you can use this website to search for recommended jobs. It includes the main responsibilities and detailed work activities for the job, tools, technologies and knowledge you need to have for the job, and why the job may suit your personality.
Occupation Finder is a website with substantial data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides the employment rise, wage rise, mean annual wage, industry and geographic profile for this occupation. From there you can make informed estimations about the future job market.
Use LinkedIn
When you find a major or a career path interesting, LinkedIn is a great resource for your in-depth exploration. By searching the job title, you can view the profiles of the people currently working in this industry, and have a general knowledge about how to get there step by step.
Furthermore, you can ask for informational interviews with the people you find. Since LinkedIn usually recommends alumni and second-degree connections on the top of search results, you can just send a connection request introducing yourself, indicating your interests in the industry, and asking if he or she has time for a brief informational interview. I’ve done three informational interviews last semester thanks to LinkedIn, and learned a lot about the industry from the conversations.
Remember to send a thank-you note after the interview!
Do an externship
CCD offers Owl Edge externships, a job-shadowing program during winter and spring break. Students spend one or a few days with a host (usually a Rice alum) at his or her place of employment, learn about daily activities, and get a taste of the workplace environment and culture. You can think about whether you would enjoy the job or not without taking a full-time internship, and abundant networking opportunities… Doesn’t it sound great?
Whitney Li is a Peer Career Advisor from Baker College. She is a junior studying psychology and statistics.
