Career Services FAQs

All students are required to declare a major by the time they complete 15 degree applicable units. Degree applicable units are units you can count towards a certificate, degree, or transfer.

We know that choosing a major can be difficult with so many options! Begin asking yourself:

• What do I like to do (interests)? What am I passionate about? What do I want to learn about?
• Who am I and how do I related to others (personality)?
• What do I do well and what do I want to develop (strengths)?
• What is important to me (values)?

Remember that choosing a major is not always the same as choosing a career. Schedule an Intake Appointment to explore your major options.

No, a major or degree does not determine what job you have to choose. Many majors will allow you to find work in many different fields as long as you have the necessary experience.

For most occupations, you do not have to have a specific major. There are some exceptions, such as nursing or engineering, which require you to have a specific degree.

The first step is to set up an appointment with a career counselor. Bear in mind that academic choices and career choices are not the same. A major does not equal a specific career. If you're a Sociology major, that doesn't mean that you are limited to becoming a Sociologist. There are many career paths you can pursue with a Sociology major. Many employers are more concerned with transferable skills than one's major. In the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2016 report, employers indicated they are looking for students with strong written communication skills, problem solving skills, verbal communication, strong work ethic, leadership skills, and the ability to work as a team player. A liberal arts degree can help you develop the transferable skills required for many jobs. Liberal arts majors do not restrict graduates to a few career choices; rather, they allow for a number of different career options.

A major is a group of courses required in order to receive a degree –– an area you specialize in, like Accounting or Chemistry. There are certain "core courses" in the specialization that everyone is required to take.

A career is an occupation, trade, profession, or vocation. It refers to what a person does to earn a living.

Career planning is an ongoing process. You can increase your chances of choosing a career that’s the best fit for you by “testing the waters” before graduation. By gaining targeted experience through part-time jobs, volunteering, or internships during college, you can experience first-hand what a career and its working environment is like.

When considering a career change, you will find that self-exploration and thorough career research could be of great importance and value in helping you make the right choice. Take a career assessment to find your strengths & passions.

The career assessments are a great avenue to understand more about yourself including your interests, preferences, skills and values. The career assessments can help you choose a major, narrow your career focus or find the right career fit for your career change. To take the career assessments, contact the Career & Job Services Center to schedule a 30 minute Career Intake appointment. During the intake appointment the counselor will provide you with the instructions to take the appropriate online assessment.