will play
to your
strengths
and
engage
your
intellect.
Choosing Your Major
Determine your major and career goals
Think carefully about how you want to spend your time at Appalachian. It is dif- ficult to do well in courses in which you really aren’t happy. Utilize the resources on campus to help you decide about your major. Information about resources to help you with major and career decisions is in this booklet in two sections, “Major Decisions” (below), and “University Resources and Academic Support Services” on pages 17-23. The right major will play to your strengths and engage your intellect.
Major Decisions
If you haven’t made a decision about a major, you should begin the process as soon as you enter Appalachian. While your major choice is important, don’t confuse choosing a major with choosing a career. Your major is less restricting on a career than you might think. Well-educated people with marketable skills can work successfully in a variety of fields. Discover and develop your skills and enjoy the process of finding the major that is right for you. Keep in mind the following tips when making a decision:
• College isn’t designed as four years of specific job training. It is a time for you to gain a breadth of knowledge through a variety of learning experi- ences.
• Employers want to hire people who have performed well in college and who can talk knowledgeably and enthusiastically about a variety of subjects. Become actively involved in all of your courses and learn as much as you can.
• Employers look for marketable skills when hiring new personnel. They want employees who can communicate well and have analytical and techni- cal skills combined with an appreciation for diverse experiences and cul- tures. The University requirements are designed to increase your skills in these areas. Combined with your own talents and strengths, your education gives you a solid foundation on which to build your career.
• Choosing a major only because it seems directed toward plentiful and/or high-paying jobs doesn’t guarantee that you will get one of those jobs. Your major should reflect your interests.
• Your major should incorporate courses and activities you enjoy and in which you can perform well. In addition to making better grades in such a major, you will enjoy the process of making those grades.
• You may change jobs and careers throughout your life. Many people have 7–10 different jobs and just as many dif-
ferent careers, so your major doesn’t de- termine the rest of your life.
Your major won’t just happen! Take an active role in making the decision. Have a goal in mind when you plan your classes. Fortunate- ly, there are many resources on this campus to help you. The first step in deciding is to
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47Choosing Your Major continued
Peer Career (Major and Career Assessment and Exploration) (828) 262-2029 Plemmons Student Union www.peercareer.appstate.edu
Peer Career provides individual professional career counseling and peer to peer guid- ance on major and career decision making by offering self-assessment inventories and resources for exploring majors and careers. You may call or stop by to schedule an ap- pointment. Drop-ins are welcome and based on availability of staff. Hours are 10 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday and 10 am-12 pm on Friday.
Belk Library (828) 262-2186
library.appstate.edu
At the library, you will find resource books with information about careers, graduate education, trends in the work place, and how to find a job. Librarians are always happy to help you find the information you need.
Fall Family Day/Spring Open House (828) 262-2120
admissions.appstate.edu, openhouse.appstate.edu
Fall Family Day and Spring Open House, held in the Convocation Center, are excellent resources to help you decide on a major. Every academic department on campus will have faculty representatives to answer your questions and information to give to you about their programs.
ACT (Appalachian and Community Together) (828) 262-2193
Plemmons Student Union act.appstate.edu
This campus organization makes arrangements for you to do volunteer work at Watauga County agencies. Community service experience is frequently one of the best ways to de- termine your career choice.
Service Learning (828) 262-2193
Plemmons Student Union act.appstate.edu
Service-learning integrates academic study with community service so that learning is more intentional, using service as “text” and earning you academic credit.
Introductory Courses
Some departments offer courses designed to give you a broad overview of that major: for example, Criminal Justice 1100, Health Education 2100, and Business 1050. These and other courses give you an opportunity to learn about a major area you are considering. Even if you ultimately decide you want a different major, you will still learn something new.
Summer Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Work
What you do outside of the academic classroom can also provide you with experience that help you learn about the work world. Practical experience has few equals when it comes to gaining information about potential careers. Don’t be reluctant to ask ques- tions and seek out ways you can explore vocations that interest you.