Undergraduate > Choosing/Changing a Major

Undergraduate Students

Choosing and Changing a Major

What can I do with a major in ____________?

Today's more career-conscious students ask this question routinely. The Center for Career Services is happy to assist in a number of ways. The Center maintains print and online resources that can alert students to options connected with certain choices of study, and is happy to provide personalized guidance for those who are undecided or contemplating a change.

Print information

Our print collection spans many books that explain career options in a wide variety of fields. Located in our reception area, this collection is easy to use, and books may be checked out for brief periods of time. These resources may compliment others maintained by career services offices in the Career Services Network. Students are encouraged to use all campus resources to illuminate options.

Online information

The Center maintains or links to a variety of resources that present career information either by major or by career field or occupation:

1) Career Resources on the Web. Links to help students discover online resources for career information.

2) Do I Want to Major in ..... A series of PowerPoint presentations discuss some of the SU majors that students most frequently explore. Majors in this series are:

Biology
Child and Family Studies
Communication and Rhetorical Studies
Communication Design
Economics
English and Textual Studies
Fine Arts
History
Hospitality Management
International Relations
Marketing
Nutrition
Policy Studies
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology

3) What can I do with this Major provides an overview of many majors at SU and SUNY-ESF,complete with links to professional associations and other valuable sources of information. Originally developed by the University of Tennessee, the titles for some majors may differ somewhat from their names at Syracuse but should be valuable nonetheless. Some majors not found at Syracuse are included in the interest of providing information for students who might contemplate graduate and other additional education at institutions other than Syracuse.

4) Graduate Placement Surveys. The Center annually surveys recent graduates to learn what kinds of positions they secure upon graduation. These surveys are useful for current students who may be exploring their options. Students can view survey results by clicking on Survey Results on this site's home page, and they may visit the Center and inquire about recent survey results.

Networking

Survey respondents and other SU alumni and friends have also volunteered to be approachable for more personal insights on their positions and fields. They constitute the Mentor@SU program. Students can explore possible connections for networking through the Mentor@SU program by visiting the center for more information or by clicking on Mentor@SU in the menu at the left.

Career guidance

Career consultants would also be happy to guide students to answers to the above question and to effectively utilize the online resources above. They are also ready to engage students in discussions of career options which may not be so directly tied to choices of major, and to correct perceptions that certain fields are exclusively reserved for students with specific majors. Appointments may be made by calling the Center at 443-3616.