{"id":21,"date":"2013-04-17T10:10:20","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T14:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/caafye\/major\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T14:46:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T18:46:33","slug":"major","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/studentsuccess\/major\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing or Changing a Major"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While many students enter college with a major choice already made, nearly 70 % change their minds in the first two years.\u00a0 Acknowledging that you are undecided may actually put you ahead of the pack.\u00a0 Our goal in the Center for Student Success\u00a0is to not only help you choose a major, but help you choose the <em>right<\/em> major for you.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">What&#8217;s the hurry?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">Common Myths<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Tips on Decision Making<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">What All College Students Should Ask Themselves<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"center\"><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/registrar\/forms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">I am ready to declare!<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"divider\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/rcnjrd\/images\/icons\/ramapo-arch-icom_rule.png\" alt=\"Ramapo\" \/><\/div>\n<h3 align=\"left\"><a id=\"s1\"><\/a>What&#8217;s the hurry?<\/h3>\n<p align=\"left\">You should have a goal of declaring your major sometime during your sophomore year if you intend to graduate in four years.\u00a0 Most majors require at least two years to complete their requirements.\u00a0 Usually they also require foundation classes that can be taken in your first year.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some large, sequentially designed majors in the sciences should be started right away. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/mygraduationplan\/\">Recommended Four Year Plans<\/a>\u00a0can help you plan your first semester.<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><div class=\"divider\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/rcnjrd\/images\/icons\/ramapo-arch-icom_rule.png\" alt=\"Ramapo\" \/><\/div><\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"s2\"><\/a>Common Myths<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Myth:<\/strong> There is something wrong with me because I have not decided what I want to do for the rest of my life!<br \/>\n<strong>Fact:\u00a0<\/strong> Pushing yourself to make a decision without knowing what you really want wastes time in the long run.\u00a0 Choosing a major is a complex process that takes time, research, and most of all, self-awareness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Myth:<\/strong> Choosing a major is a huge decision that will get me a specific job or career.<br \/>\n<strong>Fact:<\/strong> A major is a label for a body of knowledge.\u00a0 Colleges use these labels to organize programs and students.\u00a0 The same interests could lead to several different majors, and the same major could lead to many careers.\u00a0 Likewise, different majors could lead to the same career.\u00a0 Example:\u00a0 Someone who enjoys dealing with people and has good problem-solving skills could enjoy studying psychology, marketing, web design, political science, philosophy or management.\u00a0 That same person might go on to become a lawyer, school teacher, event planner, civil servant, police officer, or counselor.\u00a0<strong>Choose your major based on what you love to study and\u00a0 where your natural skills point you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Myth:<\/strong> My employer will give me on the job training.\u00a0 All I need to do is concentrate on my courses and grades.<br \/>\n<strong>Fact:\u00a0<\/strong>Of course, your primary goal is to do well in your classes!\u00a0 <strong>Many employers do not care which major you had, but want to see that you maintained at least a 3.0 GPA, demonstrating your work ethic and your intelligence.<\/strong>\u00a0 However, employers definitely look for students who have some work experience.\u00a0 Remember, your major will not get you a job.\u00a0 Your job experience will. Visit the Cahill Career Development Center early in your sophomore year to find out more about work and service learning opportunities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"divider\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/rcnjrd\/images\/icons\/ramapo-arch-icom_rule.png\" alt=\"Ramapo\" \/><\/div>\n<h3><a id=\"s3\"><\/a>Tips on Decision Making<\/h3>\n<p><strong>STEP 1 Recognize and define the decision to be made.\u00a0<\/strong> &#8220;I need to decide on a major within two years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 2 Gather all available information.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Read the catalog.\u00a0 No joke.\u00a0 It has all information on course descriptions, linking majors to careers, and joint programs with graduate schools.\u00a0 <strong>Go to\u00a0School events.<\/strong>\u00a0 Ask questions.\u00a0 <strong>Go to The Cahill Career Development Center<\/strong> to do some of their computer tests (Focus, Discover) that help you recognize your abilities.\u00a0 Consider taking the PLACE course. Talk with people you know who are juniors and seniors.\u00a0 <strong>Talk to professional advisors.<\/strong> The Center for Student Success\u00a0specializes in helping students choose majors.\u00a0 <strong>Get a summer job<\/strong> that is related to a field you are interested in. This is an ongoing process that can begin NOW!\u00a0 Think about which subjects interest you, in which ones you get the best grades.\u00a0 Remember, with few exceptions, your major doesn&#8217;t have to sound like a job title.\u00a0 <strong>You&#8217;ll likely have several careers before you retire.\u00a0 Plan for ALL of them with a liberal arts education.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 3 Focus on your top choices.<\/strong>\u00a0 You are, for example, sure you will be in Social Science but not sure if you will major in Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology.\u00a0 Choose classes that will help you make your decision.\u00a0 Talk with the faculty in those majors.\u00a0 Consider double majoring, or having a major and a minor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 4 Assess the risks and count the costs.<\/strong>\u00a0 For example, Visual Arts is where you really shine, but you heard Communications\u00a0will offer more job prospects.\u00a0 Remember, majors don&#8217;t get you a job.\u00a0 Job experience does.\u00a0 <strong>No matter which major you choose, you should get co-op or internship experience before you graduate.\u00a0 Become a leader in a campus organization, volunteer, AND\u00a0do well\u00a0in your academics.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 5 Make an initial decision.<\/strong>\u00a0 By your sophomore year, you should have a pretty clear idea what your major will be.\u00a0 Remember to be realistic about restricted majors.\u00a0 Again, make your grades your top priority.\u00a0 When you are ready, meet with the convener of your major to declare. &#8220;Change of Major&#8221; forms are available through the Registrar&#8217;s office website.<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 6 Develop your plans.<\/strong>\u00a0 Think about what you will take for your junior and senior years.\u00a0 Use the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/mygraduationplan\/\">Four Year Plans<\/a>\u00a0to help you know whether or not you will be able to double major, have a minor, study abroad, etc.\u00a0 Use whatever electives you have in a fun and constructive way.\u00a0 Remember, Ramapo has very affordable\u00a0<strong>Study Abroad<\/strong>\u00a0opportunities and some scholarships to defray the costs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 7 Evaluate your choice.<\/strong>\u00a0 Did you make the right decision?\u00a0 Are you enjoying yourself? Doing well academically?\u00a0 Do you feel part of the campus community?<\/p>\n<p><strong>STEP 8 Re-evaluate as needed.<\/strong>\u00a0 Get in the habit of checking your satisfaction with where you are and where you are going.<\/p>\n<p class=\"toTop\"><a href=\"javascript:scrollTop();\">return to top <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/rcnjrd\/images\/icons\/toTop.png\" alt=\"Return to Top Icon\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"divider\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/rcnjrd\/images\/icons\/ramapo-arch-icom_rule.png\" alt=\"Ramapo\" \/><\/div>\n<h3><a id=\"s4\"><\/a>What All College Students Should Ask Themselves<\/h3>\n<p>While acknowledging the link between major and career choice, be sure you understand what that link really is.<strong>\u00a0 College is NOT vocational training.\u00a0<\/strong> You definitely should be focusing on skill development, but what skills are the most important?\u00a0 How do you develop them?\u00a0 Recent studies have shown that people entering the workforce today can expect to have as many as five separate careers!\u00a0 How can you prepare for all of them?\u00a0 The following questions ask you about your <strong>transferable skills.<\/strong>\u00a0 Below are examples of how you can improve on these skills and how they are directly linked to your future success.\u00a0 Develop these and you will be prepared for whatever situation your future brings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How well do you write?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>This does not end with passing English.\u00a0 How well do you express yourself?\u00a0 Can you summarize your accomplishments and describe yourself in an intelligent and insightful way?\u00a0<\/strong> You will have plenty of opportunity while at Ramapo to polish your writing skills.\u00a0 Improve now when you are in\u00a0 this nurturing environment.\u00a0 <strong>If your resume or cover letter is grammatically incorrect, or your field reports are scattered ramblings, you&#8217;ll not be told to get tutoring, you&#8217;ll just be unemployed.\u00a0 Write with care.\u00a0\u00a0The more you practice, the better you will write.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How well do you speak?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This excludes buzzwords and the latest cliche.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m a people person&#8221; doesn&#8217;t really separate you from the maddening crowd.\u00a0 Be careful not to pick up habits like ending every statement as if it where a question?\u00a0 It can erode your credibility.\u00a0 <strong>If you can&#8217;t talk with some fluency about subjects in which you specialize, then why would a company want to hire you?\u00a0<\/strong> Everyone gets nervous speaking in public. Truthfully, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.\u00a0 Take a speech class, or try out for a play.\u00a0 Use the required presentations you&#8217;ll have in your classes as opportunities to improve your public speaking skills.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How well do you listen?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you listen selectively?\u00a0 In a job interview, do you focus on the vacation time and drift off when your interviewer describes what projects will be your responsibility?\u00a0 <strong>Make sure you focus.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you should, take notes.\u00a0 <strong>Paying attention to someone is the greatest form of flattery, and you might be surprised on how much detailed information you remember.\u00a0<\/strong> At school, you practice this every time you listen to a lecture and take good notes.\u00a0 Focus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you make a decision?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You\u00a0practice doing\u00a0this by choosing your major.\u00a0\u00a0You make many decisions every day.\u00a0 Should you study for your midterm or write your research paper?\u00a0 Should you take Anthropology or Psychology?\u00a0 Don&#8217;t be passive.\u00a0 <strong>Participate in making the decisions that affect your life.<\/strong>\u00a0 You would be surprised\u00a0how many people are actually more comfortable having <em>someone else<\/em> tell them what is right for <em>them<\/em>.\u00a0 You live your life, no one else.\u00a0 You make the choices.\u00a0 <strong>Take advice from people you respect, but make your own decision.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you think on your feet?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can develop this skill best pressure situations.\u00a0 In college, you may find yourself in a heated debate in a seminar class.\u00a0 You are constantly reacting to the discussion around you.\u00a0 <strong>Can you formulate new opinions based on changing information?\u00a0 Can you analyze the situation and understand the dynamics of influence and power?<\/strong>\u00a0 Can you listen to your boss&#8217;s assessment of budget cutbacks and come up with suggestions to minimize the effect?\u00a0 Can you listen to the news on the way into work and project how it could affect your company?\u00a0 Your school?\u00a0 Your family?<\/p>\n<p><strong>How personable are you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should also think about how you are developing as a person.\u00a0 <strong>Are you considerate?<\/strong>\u00a0<strong> Does everyone have to conform to your needs, or can you be flexible when necessary?\u00a0 Can you empathize?\u00a0 Do you understand that people come from various cultures and may not understand the world in the same way you do?<\/strong>\u00a0 <strong>Are you clean and presentable?\u00a0<\/strong> Yes, it&#8217;s true.\u00a0 People notice.\u00a0 These are skills you have been developing for years.\u00a0 In the unique situations college provides, focus on expanding your understanding of the world.\u00a0 Take this time to grow both intellectually and personally.<\/p>\n<p><strong>As an educated, thoughtful, articulate, mature person, you can be successful not only in the series of careers your future may bring, but in all aspects of your life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>An education in the\u00a0Liberal Arts offers you this.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While many students enter college with a major choice already made, nearly 70 % change their minds in the first two years.\u00a0 Acknowledging that you are undecided may actually put you ahead of the pack.\u00a0 Our goal in the Center for Student Success\u00a0is to not only help you choose a major, but help you choose [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.5 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - 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