Undecided About Your Major?
Major Exploration Series
Attend this three part series to help learn about the various majors that WPI has to offer by assessing your own interests. Each student needs to sign up individually for Seminars 1, 2, and 3. It is Strongly Recommended that students sign up for all three within the same term. Sign up at: https://www.wpi.edu/Regi/CDC/
November 5, 12, 19 4-5pm SL115
Seminar 1 Think about You Major-Assess your interests, values, skills
Seminar 2 The Difference Between a Major and a Career-Learn how to research careers, What is a Major? What is a Minor? What is a career?
Seminar 3 Why Experiences Are Valuable-Internship and Co-op experiences, how to get an internship, resume and additional services
Steps to Choosing a Major
Step One: Identify your interests, skills and values.
Making thoughtful and well-planned decisions in the selection of a major and career requires understanding of self (interests, skills and values) and knowledge of the majors that best match your interests.
- Take an self-assessment inventory to help you identify your interests, skills and values.
Step Two: Explore potential careers that would relate to your major.
Research career fields by:
- Meet with a career counselor for a one-on-one appointment to discuss your interests.
- Visit companies where professionals in the field work.
- Attend company information sessions to learn more about career options.
- Participate in Career Fairs and speak with employers.
- Interview or shadow a professional to get specific information regarding their career path.
- Utilize the CDC web-based and printed materials as well as company brochures
Step Three: Explore majors at WPI.
- Speak with upper- class students in the majors that interest you.
- Read CDC resource binders on each major available in the CDC Library.
- Speak with faculty regarding details about coursework and majors.
Step Four: Develop a Career Plan.
Once you have identified a possible career choice, develop a plan that enhances your employment opportunities
Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for specific requirements of the major.
- Meet with your academic advisor to develop your degree plan.
Self Assessment Tools
Self assessments are a great way to learn more about yourself. Assessments help highlight strengths, weaknesses, interests, and careers that align with your personality characteristics. Some assessments focus more on your personality, others on the type of work environment that you would thrive in. Self assessments are not a magic eight-ball and cannot give you an answer as to what professional path will be most rewarding. They do give you occupations to research that match your interests.
If you are interested in taking a self assessment, make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss the various options. You will then fill out the paper test (which takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour). The results are sent away to be scored. Upon receiving your results, you will arrange a follow -up meeting with a career counselor to discuss the results and formulate a strategy to research career prospects that match your interests.
Self Assessments include:
- Myers Briggs Type Indicator
- Strong Interest Inventory
- Self-Directed Search
Last modified: October 01, 2008 15:50:25