Suggestions for Choosing a Major

• Register for courses in a variety of fields, especially in your first year or as a sophomore. Filling requirements first can be a benefit.

• Don't limit yourself to subjects in which you have always done well. Grades are only one indicator of your interests. Part of the college experience is to overcome your weak areas, as well.

• Take an assessment inventory such as the Campbell Interest & Skill Survey (CISS). This inventory is a great starting point! It helps identify and determine the strength of your personal interests and skills in a variety of occupational-related activities.

• Talk with alumni to find out how they apply their Ripon College education in the work force.

• After you find one or two subjects that interest you, explore and evaluate them. Talk to faculty, sit in on some classes and talk to students majoring in those areas.

• You can do anything with any major if you are a well-rounded, competent person. Remember, employers hire competent people, not majors. Don't be afraid to explore, but be aware that some majors find jobs more easily (business and computer science).

• Don't shy away from any courses. All can be important even if they seem irrelevant at first. For example: Philosophy courses help to form value systems that are important in any field.

• If you go into technical or graduate prep programs, complement your core courses with business and communication electives.

• Make the most to supplement your major. Take part in an Information Interview (visiting an employee at his/her work site to gain a clearer idea of what a particular occupation involves) or do an internship (actual work experience within a given field).

• Don't be afraid to switch majors if you find out you don't like the one you chose. Be careful to consider extra time and money when doing so if you choose to switch.

• Sometimes it's helpful to look at career possibilities, and then a choice of major may be more obvious.

Remember:

• Your major may not be in the area in which you eventually will work.

• Employers hire competent, well-rounded individuals -- not particular majors.

• Don't develop "tunnel vision" early in the process. Leave yourself open and flexible.