Academic
advisers aid in major selection
By Allison Baldwin
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Cal State Long Beach requires all students declare a major by the time they earn
60 units, but many students come to CSULB unsure of what they want to do with
their lives. With 76 different baccalaureate degrees offered on campus, the selection
process can be confusing and frustrating.
When searching for a major that fits, students can find inspiration by looking
at different areas of their lives. Interests and hobbies are clues to what a
person might enjoy studying at CSULB and give insight into possible career choices
after college.
“
I felt that, going along with my volunteer work and job history, communications
is the best fit for what I want to do in the future,” said senior communication
studies student Tiffany Chiu.
“
It wasn’t much of a choice for me. I know that it’s what will lead
me to the career that will make me the happiest,” said freshman flute performance
student Rebecca Bogner.
Academics play an important role in the decision as well. Students should consider
where their strengths lie and see in which majors they may excel.
Students should remember selecting a major does not cement a person into one
profession for life.
“
People try to equate choosing a major with choosing a career, but not all majors
are directly connected to a specific career,” said career counselor Carol
Brown-Elston. “[Students] need to look at their overall education, which
has prepared them for a variety of professions.”
One essential resource in selecting a major is the CSULB catalog, which shows
both the majors and their requirements.
“
I use the CSULB catalog religiously during counseling sessions. I encourage students
to look at the catalog and see what is offered,” Brown-Elston
said.
Students considering a few different majors may find it helpful to consult department
advisers before making a decision. Department advisers can provide information
on classes and expectations of students in their department.
Brown-Elston recommends incoming undeclared freshmen spend their first semester
taking general education classes and go to the Career Development Center (CDC)
to talk to a counselor about choosing a major. She also encourages students to
access the center’s schedule of workshops, which can be found at http://careers.csulb.edu.
Brown-Elston stresses that the CDC has an excellent career counseling staff which
can help with résumés, interview skills, career direction and internships,
as well as with major selection.
“
I recommend students to come to the Career Development Center if they are having
trouble deciding on a major,” said Brown-Elston. “We don’t
choose for them, but we facilitate the selection process.”
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