/career/ en /career/2024/10/18/free-quizzes-tools-and-tips-help-you-decide-major <span>Major insights: Free tools, tips and quizzes to help you decide</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-10-18T08:02:15-06:00" title="Friday, October 18, 2024 - 08:02">Fri, 10/18/2024 - 08:02</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/career/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/istock-520416708_1.jpg?h=20f563fd&amp;itok=PW-sr-DU" width="1200" height="600" alt="Person sitting on the grass with a laptop"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/career/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Majors &amp; Exploration</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-above"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/career/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/istock-520416708_1.jpg?itok=U1RVhk3n" width="750" height="501" alt="Person sitting on the grass with a laptop"> </div> </div> <p><span lang="EN-US">Choosing a major can often feel like an overwhelming decision. There are numerous options available and figuring out who you are and what aligns with your interests, values and skills takes time. Remember, it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your major or change your mind later. You can also seek extra support in making this decision at any time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Here are tips and free resources </span><a href="/career/node/1" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Career Services</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> and other departments offer to help guide you in your search for a major or academic program.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><div><h2><span lang="EN-US">Expand your self-awareness&nbsp;</span></h2></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Think about your current classes at CU Boulder as well as high school classes to determine the subject areas you enjoy most and least. Consider these questions:</span></p></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">What subjects interest you most? For example, do you enjoy solving math problems or learning about history?&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">What are you good at academically? For example, are you skilled at analyzing data, conducting science experiments or writing essays?</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">What causes or ideas excite you? For example, are you passionate about social justice, environmental advocacy or technology?</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">What are the subjects you enjoy discussing with friends or family?</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">What classes or activities feel too hard or boring?</span></li></ul></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">By exploring the study areas and activities you love or dislike, you can rule out certain majors and focus on those that fit your preferences.</span></p></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.icscareers.com.au/card-sort/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Career Values Card Sort</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> is a simple self-reflection tool that helps clarify your values and highlight what’s most important to you.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">SparkPath Challenge Cards can help you identify the problem(s) you’re motivated to solve.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><h2><span lang="EN-US">Explore majors and careers</span></h2></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Your choice of major doesn’t have to dictate your future career—some align closely with specific paths, while others provide broader skills that are applicable across various fields.&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">It can be helpful to see how different majors relate to certain careers. These tools can help you explore based on your goals and abilities:</span></p></div><div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">Check out </span><a href="/career/node/469" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">What Can I Do with This Major?</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> to see if there are any careers that interest you associated with majors you might be thinking about. The website will guide you through 96 of the most common majors and typical career areas for each.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">Try the </span><a href="/career/node/641" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Majors Card Sort</span></a><span lang="EN-US">, a free online tool that can help you identify the top CU Boulder majors that align with your goals.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">Browse the </span><a href="/exploratorystudies/exploration/programs-different-lens" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Programs from a Different Lens</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> webpage to explore more programs that have the same key features as the majors that interest you. Find information on course topics, learning outcomes and how classes are taught.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">Use the </span><a href="/exploratorystudies/exploration/i-want" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">I want to ... website</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> from the </span><a href="/exploratorystudies/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Program in Exploratory Studies</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> to learn more about degree paths that will help you achieve your specified career goals.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span lang="EN-US">Schedule </span><a href="/career/job-searching/networking/informational-interviewing" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">informational interviews</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> with professionals in your fields of interest. You can ask about their academic journey to learn how it influenced them professionally. Connect with other students in the majors you’re considering as well to understand what their experience has been like.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><h2><span lang="EN-US">Research and engage</span></h2></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Once you home in on a few study areas, research those majors to determine whether they are a good fit using these available tools:&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><ul><li><a href="/registrar/students/degree-planning/audit/run" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Degree audits:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Find out the required courses and credit hours needed to graduate. Department websites and the </span><a href="https://catalog.colorado.edu/undergraduate/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">university catalog</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> can provide additional information.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/advising" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Academic advisors:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> If you’re not in a rush to declare, take a class or two in a major you’re interested in, and consult with an advisor from that area of study for course recommendations. You can also ask questions about the major to determine if it matches your interests and goals. Use advising drop-in hours or </span><a href="/buffportaladvising/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">make an appointment</span></a><span lang="EN-US">.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/advising/ralphies-advising-help-lab" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> While this doesn’t replace appointments, Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab is a supplemental resource that allows you to access general advising or enrollment help quickly. Get assistance with dropping courses, switching majors and answering other advising questions.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/career/node/201" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Handshake:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Pursuing an </span><a href="/studentaffairs/student-jobs" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">on-campus job</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> is a great way to discover new passions while gaining professional experience. Use Handshake to search for available student positions.&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/involvement/directory" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">BuffConnect:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Discover student organizations that sound interesting to you and explore topics that are appealing to you.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/volunteer/volunteering" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">CUServes:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Volunteer locally to find new areas of interest and passion.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></li></ul></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><h2><span lang="EN-US">Stay positive&nbsp;</span></h2></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Choosing a major is a journey, not a race. If you’re ready to decide, that’s great. If not, that’s perfectly fine. Keep a positive outlook, try a few of these tips, have fun exploring and meet with a </span><a href="/career/node/686" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">member of the career team</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> to review your reflections and identify next steps together. For more information, check out </span><a href="/career/node/682" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">Find a Major</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> from Career Services.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Are you thinking of changing your major, or trying to narrow down your options and decide on a major? Check out free resources to help you consider your interests and strengths, and explore the different paths toward a degree.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Zebra Striped</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:02:15 +0000 Anonymous 461 at /career