Choosing a Major—Explore, Discover, Decide
Deciding on a major is an important decision. By choosing a major that fits with your interests, abilities, values, and circumstances, you are more likely to enjoy the classes you take, feel academically challenged, and be motivated to finish your degree. Granted, the choice can be daunting when you consider that ASU has more than 200 majors from which to choose. So how do you go about making a decision?
This process can be organized into three steps: EXPLORE, DISCOVER, and DECIDE.
EXPLORE who I am
The first step to career planning is to assess your values, interests, skills and personality traits. These can guide you as you sort through the vast number of ASU majors and begin to make decisions about the general areas you would like to pursue.
Students who choose majors and careers in areas in which they have strong interests are much more likely to persist and be successful.
Part of this exploration process includes computer assessments to help you match your values, interests, skills, and personality traits to majors that fit you.
DISCOVER how that translates to a major/career
In this step, you identify the majors and careers that relate to your distinct interests, values, and abilities and find out as much as you can about the options.
This information gathering process can include exploring the Major Maps for the majors you are considering, visiting with the advisors from specific academic departments, talking with professors, going to Career Services, and interviewing people who work in the field you are considering.
Begin the Discovery process here.
DECIDE on a major using
sound decision-making skills
In the last step you reflect on and analyze all the information you have collected to build a plan of action. The goal is to make an informed choice that is appropriate for you.
You can utilize a number of decision-making tools and techniques including a list of pros and cons, a decision matrix, and others.
Begin the decision-making process here.
Call (602) 496-0589 or email majorexploration@asu.edu with questions or to make an appointment.