Choosing a Major

calls for gathering information, weighing alternatives, and allowing unhurried time for both thinking concretely and daydreaming. Choosing a major should be a

process,

leading to discovery and, ultimately, increased career satisfaction.

This process may or may not be a step-by-step progression; rather, it may be fluid or cyclical, i.e. starting at step 4 or 5 and then discovering this is not what you want to do in life and then moving to step 1.

The Process…

1. Self-Assessment/Discovery

Explore your

values,

interests

(Get your password for

Career Cruising

at the Career Center)personality

(Get your password for

AchieveWORKS

assessments on personality,

Multiple Intelligence, and

Learning Styles Inventory

at the Career Center) and

skills.

2. Identify Options/Research

Gather possible careers from self-assessment results.

Counselors

can assist with interpreting your results.
Explore careers based on your major!

Use Career Services resources to access our

library research page, and

videos.
Seek out in-depth information such as job outlook (Get access codes for

CareerCruising

from the Career Center)
Know your projected

salary

for the local area,

job description, where you can gain

educational and experiential preparation,

etc

3. Decision Making

Compare options side by side
Identify

pros and cons
Identify if

negative self-talk

or self-defeating thoughts may be influencing your decision
Discuss your options with those who know you well
Remember to check options against what you learned in self-assessments
Does it fulfill your passion in life as well as meet your practical needs?
Remember, it is

your

life goals and ultimately

your

decision!
Try the

Decision-Making Worksheet

4. Design Your Career Plan (short term/long term)

Explore career majors at Cuyamaca College
Explore majors at California UC and CSU colleges on-line
Use academic resources to link career choice with college major(s):

in California,

Out of State.
Identify educational requirements with a counselor – set up an academic plan
Visit the Counseling Center

and/or

Transfer Center

5. Experience Your Field

See what a day in the life of a (fill in the blank) is like at

Career Cruising:
Job Shadow, locate

Internships; seek out Work Experience and Service Learning opportunities
Volunteer

or work in your intended field when possible – experience is important and will tell you if this field is right for you!

6. Launch Your Career (job search, resume…)

Visit the Career Center if you need employment and/or assistance finding and communicating with potential employers
Create

resumes, cover letters, or use one of our resume/cover letter templates
Make an appointment with our Career Center specialists and counselors to review your resumes and help you in the entire major and career search process
Job search engines: look up how your future jobs are being advertised, and how to best prepare at

www.indeed.com,

www.glassdoor.com,

or

www.monster.com

(Don't forget to check out the

Free Online Job Board

at the Career Center)
Prepare for interviews and read about

others’ experiences

of interviewing

with specific companies
Use are Perfect Interview program at the Career Center to practice

7. Meet with a Counselor and/or take an in-depth class to explore careers and majors

Make an appointment with a

Counselor

to explore your career options and create a career and academic plan or

Job Placement Case Manager

to discuss your employment needs.
Take Counseling 120, College and Career Success (3 unit course that meets CSU GE and transfer to the UC) or Counseling 110, Career Decision Making (1 unit course that transfers to the CSU

More Guides on Choosing a Major

Apply and Enroll	Academic Calendar	Catalog

Resources and Events	FinancialAid	Counseling