Common Questions
Common Questions
Career exploration often brings up big questions and sometimes worries. Here are answers to the questions students ask most often:
Almost anything! Your major doesn’t lock you into one career. Focus on the transferable skills you’ve gained, the experiences you’ve had, and what excites you. Alumni from many different majors go on to work in a wide range of fields.
Follow the Reflect → Explore → Experience → Act process:
- Reflect: Think about your values, interests, personality, and skills (VIPS).
- Explore: Use Career Education resources and online tools to generate ideas.
- Experience: Try internships, student orgs, or volunteer work to test your interests.
- Act: Make small decisions (like joining a club or taking a course) to move forward
Take a breath, it happens!
- Freshmen/Sophomores: You can still change majors. Explore options, attend info sessions, and talk to Career Education + Academic Advising.
- Juniors/Seniors: Even if switching isn’t possible, you can still pivot. Many careers don’t require a specific major. Get involved in your intended field through internships, research, or certificates.
- Career Education team: Helps you explore majors that align with your VIPS and career goals.
- Academic Advising: Explains the transfer process, degree requirements, and course planning.
That’s okay! Unless it’s a technical field (like engineering, nursing, or teaching), you can still enter your desired career by building experience, joining student orgs, volunteering, and highlighting transferable skills.
No assessment can decide your future, but tools like MyMajors or ONET can help you learn more about yourself and expand your options. Think of them as guides, not final answers.
Student Concerns
It’s normal to feel uncertain about your major or career path. Many students share the same questions and worries. The Career Education team is here to help you work through them.
Common Concerns We Hear
- “I feel lost and have no idea what I want to do with my life.”
- “I feel anxious about looking for a job.”
- “I don’t know what to major in.”
- “I’m having trouble picking one career option. I want to do so many things!”
- “I know what I want to major in, but I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate.”
- “I thought I wanted to be a ___, but I don’t like my major anymore.”
- “My family really wants me to be a ___, but I’m not sure if that’s what I want.”
- “I’m afraid I won’t be able to make enough money doing what I enjoy.”
- “I want to find a career that will allow me to support my family.”
- “I’m worried I won’t find a job, so maybe I’ll just go to grad school.”
How We Can Help
- Normalize your feelings: You’re not alone; these concerns are common and valid.
- Provide perspective: Many careers don’t require a specific major, and paths are flexible.
- Offer tools: Assessments, advising, and exploration resources can help clarify options.
- Encourage small steps: Internships, student orgs, volunteering, or exploratory courses can help you test directions.
- Support decision‑making: Advisors can help you weigh options and make informed choices.