Choosing a Major & Career

While some careers require a specific undergraduate major, many do not. Nursing and Accounting are examples of careers which require a specific undergraduate major. Meanwhile, a degree in Liberal Arts (for example, History, Humanities, Chicano/a Studies) might take you in several directions.

You can begin exploring the connection between majors and careers by attending a Choosing a Major/Choosing a Career workshop.

Undeclared or undecided on your major? Sign up for Freshman Fridays at the Career Center. Find a general description of the majors, careers, and career options at What Can I Do with This Major?

With this information, you may be ready to declare your major or make a decision about your career. However, if you are still uncertain or have questions, you may want to make an appointment with a career coach for guidance through the decision process.

The Decision Process

1. Self-Assessment

Identify important skills, interests and values
Make an appointment with a career coach in the Career Center for career coaching and vocational assessments
Use our Focus 2 program, a helpful online assessment tool
(Your access code is "gotoros")

2. Researching Majors and Careers

Use the O*Net Career Information Program
Learn about job requirements, employment trends,and appropriate majors
Learn about Interviewing for Information [PDF] in our downloadable brochure
Attend job fairs and use the Career Center Online Career Resources
Obtain internship experience, either paid or unpaid

3. Analyzing Your Results

Organize and evaluate all your information
Consider possible outcomes, consequences, and probability
Identify the best alternatives
Conduct additional research if necessary
Develop a short list of possible careers/majors

4. Choosing Options

Select a primary and secondary career option, based on what career is best suited for you at this time in your life
Discuss your findings with a career coach
Maintain an open mind to new and changing factors that may impact your career choices
Remember: What you decide today will probably not be your lifelong career; it's just the beginning!

Freshman Fridays

Every Spring semester, the Career Center hosts a special workshop series for Freshman and Sophomore students who are undecided, undeclared, or thinking of changing their majors.

In the four-week Freshman Fridays program, students will have the opportunity to:

Discover majors & careers that are the best fit
Find out personal strengths and how to use them in college
Network with industry professions
Meet other CSUDH Freshmen and Sophomores

For Spring 2016, Freshman Fridays will take place on 4 consecutive Fridays in April: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Career Center.

Each Freshman Fridays participant will receive a Certificate of Completion and a personalized recommendation on his/her LinkedIn profile.

Any questions? Contact the Career Center at (310) 243-3625 or via email at careercenter@csudh.edu for more information.