Making a major decision

With more than 130 undergraduate degrees and more than 320 other degree programs, the possibilities for majors at IU are nearly endless.

Many students feel overwhelmed or simply clueless as to which major to select when they begin their freshman year. Fortunately, IU offers many resources to aid students in the selection process, and several students advised others to take their time settling on a course of study.

IU’s Career Development Center regularly meets with undergraduates to discuss majors and career possibilities. The center, located at 625 N. Jordan Avenue, has a library of more than 1,334 books and has blocks of time devoted to drop-in advising for students who aren’t quite sure what they want to study.

“Self-evaluation and self-assessment are key in picking a major,” said Rita Reinhardt, the center’s assistant director.

Reinhardt explained that while no one at IU will choose a major for a student, students have several ways to narrow the field.

“We offer a few tests that could help a student looking for a major. We have the Myers-Briggs test and the Strong Interest Inventory, which are a little different,” Reinhardt said. “Myers-Briggs is more of a personality assessment that helps to determine what kind of personality someone is, and we have a list of careers that correspond to that. It’s an eye-opening reality check. Then the Strong Interest Inventory measures a person’s interests and applies that to what they could study.”

Some students find it helpful to choose a major which will lead to a career, but also complete a minor in a field they enjoy. Sophomore Jeremy Wagner supplements his major in business with a minor in German.

“I studied German before, and I think it would be a good way to get into international business,” Wagner said. “I have technology skills which I think will come in handy with a business major.”

Sophomore biochemistry major Tommy Wilson said students should push themselves when selecting their field of study.

“I like to be challenged,” he said. “I came to college to grow, and difficult classes help me. I like the work I’m doing, even if it’s hard.”

Second-year anthropology graduate student Sarah Dillard said students should take their time making a decision.

“I’d advise (incoming freshmen) to follow their interests. Study what you’re interested in during your freshman year,” Dillard said. “If you have an interest in the arts or sports or activism, find classes that will corollate to that. They’ll lead you to other options you never knew were possible before college.”

Although IU offers many different majors, one option in particular might attract students who have trouble fitting their interests and abilities into a pre-existing major.
IU’s Individualized Major Program offers prospective students the unique opportunity to design and follow their own curriculum and receive credit from IU. The application process usually takes place during a student’s sophomore or junior year, but can occur as early as the second semester of freshman year. Students work with an IU faculty member to design a major tailored to their unique interests. Previously, students in the program have developed courses of study in areas ranging from world languages to speech writing to music business.

Reinhardt said students should not feel too discouraged if they have trouble honing in on a major.

“I can understand and empathize, to feel like you can’t see an outcome,” Reinhardt said. “I think it comes back to self: holding yourself accountable and following what you’re interested in.”