Declaring a MajorDeclaring a Major

URI 101: Planning for URI 101: Planning for Academic SuccessAcademic Success

Steps to Steps to Discovering Discovering Your College Your College MajorMajor

• You can take a variety of courses and discover new possibilities and passions• Use trial and error to discover which courses you find interesting and which

ones you do not. • While declaring a major before your sophomore year is preferred, do not declare

a major until you are sure!• Always remember, it’s okay to change your mind and try out different areas of

interest. URI has many resources to help you in this journey!

Take advantage of being Take advantage of being UndeclaredUndeclared

Course ExplorationCourse Exploration• Choose classes based on how much

they interest you and your future goals. A small, curious interest in a course could lead to declaring a major!

• Be smart Be smart with course exploration– Be realistic about your preparedness for a

course– Consider how challenged you will be– Admit when a course is too difficult and

you need academic assistance– Be sure to base class selection off of your

interests and not the interests of your friends and family.

Type FocusType Focus• Type Focus results can often steer you

in the right direction to a declaring a major.

• The results offer insight on careers based off of your personality traits which can definitely help to connect you with a potential major.

• If you had a particular career stand out to you and are unsure which major that falls under, be sure to ask your mentor or instructor.

HollandHolland’’s Personality Typess Personality Types

Use the link below to discover major and career possibilities with you Holland code:

http://www.chroniclecareerlibrary.com/CGP/CGP/2ndpghoc.html

Based on your Holland results you will be provided with potential careers that relate to your personality!

Professors as Professors as ResourcesResources• If you are interested in a

particular gen ed be sure to get information regarding that major from your professor

• Go to office hours to ask further questions and discuss possibilities

• A general education course could be the start of a future career!

Majors & Minors FairMajors & Minors Fair• The majors and minors fair is

the perfect way for you to discover more information about each major at URI all in one place.

• Talk to current students, professors, and advisors about majors that interest you.

• Take advantage of the opportunity and collect as much information as you can!

SAVE THE DATEMajors and Minors FairWednesday, October 8th

from 3-4:30pm in the Memorial Union Ballroom

InvolvementInvolvement

• Through becoming involved you may discover your major!

• Many times your interests outside of academics help you to find what your true career goals for the future are.

• For example, you may join the Outing Club and discover you are interested in Plant Sciences as a major.

URI MajorsURI MajorsWith the list of majors offered at URI, read through each one. Circle majors that interest you and cross off those that do not.

The list can be found at:

http://www.uri.edu/admission/majors.html

View Academic Maps by View Academic Maps by MajorMajor

• Review the academic maps for majors that interest you– Found at

web.uri.edu/advising/majors

• Determine which courses would be required and if the material seems to be in-line with your interests and goals.

II’’ve found a ve found a possible majorpossible major…

Now what?Now what?

Visit an Academic Advisor at University College for Academic Success

(UCAS) in Roosevelt HallAsk questions such as:1. What is the GPA requirement to get in the major?2. Do I need to take and pass specific classes before

I get in?3. What can I do with this major?

4. When would I need to declare by?5. What classes should I take first?

6. Could I complete this major in four years?7. Can I take summer classes to assist in being

behind? Which would you recommend? 8. Is there anything else I should know?

What can I do with this What can I do with this major?major?• Look at the “What can I do with this major?”

resource.• This resource will give you career options and

descriptions of possible job duties based on major.• http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/

• Make another appointment with a Career Advisor to discover more possible careers and learn more about specific ones.

• CCEE may also be able to help you gain internship opportunities or shadow experiences to further research your major

• Keep these questions in mind:– What can I do with this major?– What do starting salaries look like?– Is graduate school necessary for advancement?– Is there a list of alumni who may be willing to

speak with me about this career?

Center for Career & Experiential Center for Career & Experiential Education (CCEE)Education (CCEE)

Still cannot find a major Still cannot find a major that interests you? that interests you?

Don’t worry!Don’t worry!

We have the perfect classes for you!We have the perfect classes for you!

• Opportunity to earn credit while discovering and declaring your major!

• Addresses career concerns and development, skill, identification, self-awareness, and decision making.

• Identify skills, interests, values, and both short and long-term goals as they relate to a college major

EDC 279 EDC 279 – Career Development Seminar

ITR 300 ITR 300 – Career Planning: Concepts & Career Planning: Concepts & Skills Skills

• Identify personal strengths, interests, and professional values related to career exploration

• Develop professional job and internship search skills

• Work towards discovering the career that fits best with your interests and goals

The University of Rhode Island has all the resources you need to graduate with a plan for your future so be sure to utilize them!

““If you want to be successful, iIf you want to be successful, itt ’’s just this simple. Know what s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what are doing. And believe in what you are doing.you are doing.””

-Will -Will Rogers Rogers