Find Your Major

What's Next?

So now that I have a better understanding of my values, interests, and skills, how does this translate into a major?

There is more than one way to find a major.

  • Some students first look at specific jobs, careers, or industries they are interested in, and then find a major which will assist them in their pursuit of that career.
  • Others first look at academic areas of interest, without a specific career in mind. The important thing to remember is that neither approach is better than the other.

In the Explore Your Options section of this site we have two paths to assist you in choosing a major….by careers of interest or by majors of interest

Still feeling lost?

If you have done your career “homework” and still feel confused about your career decision-making, there may be some pieces of information you have not addressed. Sometimes it is difficult to know ourselves if we are too invested in pleasing someone else. This “someone” may be a parent, a partner, a friend, or a family member. A counselor may help you identify your values to make decisions that “feel” right.

Other times people have a unique pattern of interests and skills that do not blend together easily. Unique personalities sometimes need creative or alternative careers to provide satisfaction. Sometimes people are able to find satisfaction by meeting some of their needs and interests through work, while using leisure to meet their other needs.

Finally, career decision-making can be hampered by circumstances that make implementing a desired decision difficult or impossible. Perhaps you struggle in other areas, such as lacking confidence in your decisions. Perhaps you hold cultural values that make decision-making complex. If there are complicating factors that make your decision difficult you might want to pursue career counseling.

Illinois State University Students can obtain personal or career counseling at the Student Counseling Services. Career consultation and assistance is also available to students and alums through the Career Center at Illinois State University. Career decisions can take time. Use the resources at Illinois State University to help you make good decisions for a rewarding career.