Choosing a Major or Career
An essential part of selecting a college is choosing your major and career area. Unless
you choose a career-focused path, your first year or two of college primarily involves
taking classes like English, math, history, basic science and perhaps a second language.
These classes are usually referred to as general education or "gen ed," and they help
you become accustomed to the work you need to do as a college student and may even
influence your choice of major.
Your choice of major can offer a variety of careers from which to choose:
- Take a variety of career-based classes in high school to find out if you enjoy a particular
industry or area of study. Harper, in conjunction with area high schools, offers classes
that allow you to take a class through your high school and also earn college credit.
Ask your high school counselor for more information or visit harpercollege.edu/dualcredit.
- As you contemplate a major related to a career choice, consider reaching out to your
high school counselor for steps on career exploration.
- Talk to your parents, friends and teachers about how they perceive your abilities
and aptitudes.
- Consider visiting the type of business or service you wish to pursue and ask the employees
about the realities of the job.
- Apply for an internship or volunteer in the career area of your choice.
- When you have chosen a major, focus your search for a college or the institutions
that are the most likely to help you achieve your goal.
