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Still Undecided? Here’s 5 Tips for Choosing a Major

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  2. Still Undecided? Here’s 5 Tips for Choosing a Major
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At RIC, we get it. You just don’t know what you want to do with the rest of your life. You’re not alone.

By Gita Brown

The first thing people usually ask when they hear you’re in college is “What’s your major?” The second thing is “What are you going do with it?” It’s not surprising that a lot of students respond with a blank stare.

Rhode Island College knows that not everyone comes to college knowing what they want to do with the rest of their life. That’s why the college provides students with two exceptional resources to help them explore majors – the Office of Academic Advising and the Career & Life Design Center. 

Here are five tips from Career & Life Design to help you figure things out:

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  1. Start with self-reflection. What are you passionate about? But don’t stop there. What are your values? What are your strengths? What kind of salary do you need to earn to support the lifestyle you want to live?
  2. Talk to people. Meet with faculty to learn how their degree programs connect to real-world careers. Set up informational interviews with professionals. Connect with alumni to hear about their career journeys.
  3. Test it out. Explore internships, part-time jobs or volunteer opportunities early in your academic career. It allows you to get a feel for your field of interest. (And not liking an internship is not a bad thing. It could inspire you to pivot into a different field/major.)
  4. Understand transferable skills. Many majors teach skills that are valuable across industries, such as communication, problem solving, leadership and analytical thinking skills.
  5. And remember, no decision is ever final. Your major does not necessarily lock you into one career path. Many people change majors (or careers) during college and beyond. Employers often hire for skills, experiences and competencies more than for a specific major.

To learn more about the different majors and minors at Rhode Island College, don’t miss the Majors & Minors Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Quad. Food and prizes. Rain location: Student Union Ballroom.

Also be sure to schedule an appointment with professional advisors at the Office of Academic Advising and the Career & Life Design Center.