Choosing a Major

1. Scan the list of majors listed in your Chapman catalog (catalogs also available online).

2. Mark those majors that are appealing, even if you aren't sure what they are. Use your gut reaction and resist the temptation to eliminate majors because they aren't "practical."

3. Look for patterns of interests. Do all the majors seem to be in a particular school? Do they share common characteristics? This can help you identify patterns within your academic interests.

4. Read about the majors in the catalog. Do the classes sound interesting? This is a very important step because your idea of what that major is about may be very different than reality.

5. Create a list of 3-5 majors you would like to explore.

6. Utilize our "What can I do with a major in..." section to read about your preferred majors.

7. If you are still interested in the major, talk to other students who are in that major and faculty who teach the classes.

8. Skim books that describe the occupations of people in that major. The Career Development Center has a career library with books that can be checked out. You can also use the Occupational Outlook Handbook found at www.bls.gov.

9. Consider combining your interests by double majoring or having a major and a minor.

10. Get an internship or part-time job in a field that's related to your major. This can be a great way to confirm that the major is right for you.