Selecting a College Major

Description

This book greatly simplifies the complex process of choosing a major by leading students through personal, academic and occupational information searches.  It offers a natural progression for decision making by using thought-provoking activities to explore themselves before exploring majors. Whether choosing or changing a major, the discovery process examines different perspectives, such as relating interests, skills and values to academic fields of study, searching a national system that identifies many academic majors, and exploring majors available at their own institution.  Once specific academic alternatives are identified, a search of occupational information helps students examine the career possibilities that specifically relate to the majors they are considering.

Virginia N. Gordon is Assistant Dean Emeritus and faculty member at The Ohio State University.  She has extensive experience in teaching, administration and counseling in higher education settings.  Her bibliography includes many books, book chapters, monographs and journal articles on higher education topics including academic and career counseling.

Susan J. Sears is an educational consultant and emeritus faculty member from The Ohio State University where she taught career development courses for both undergraduate and graduate students.  She has written numerous books, book chapters, and journal articles focusing on the career development of adolescents and young adults.

For courses in Career Planning or Student Orientation.

This text greatly simplifies the complex process of choosing a major by leading students through personal, academic and occupational information searches.  It offers a natural progression for decision making by using thought-provoking activities to explore themselves before exploring majors. Whether choosing or changing a major, the discovery process examines different perspectives, such as relating interests, skills and values to academic fields of study, searching a national system that identifies many academic majors, and exploring majors available at their own institution.  Once specific academic alternatives are identified, a search of occupational information helps students examine the career possibilities that specifically relate to the majors they are considering.

Explores majors from three different approaches: (1) completing self-assessment activities (2) examining national listing of majors (3) searching information about the majors at their own institution. (Unit 3)

• Provides student with a well-rounded and thorough exploration of the majors decision 

Links majors to related career paths through web-based activities: Students use their areas of study interest to search for related occupational information through the Internet and other resources.  (Unit 4)

• Gives students ideas about how their current study can transfer to the world of work 

Six-step decision-making progression – Self-assessment activities provide the opportunity for students to examine their personal interests, skills and values.  The results are directly related later to fields of study. (Units 2 and 3)

• Gives students a chance to explore themselves before exploring majors, understand their personal decision-making styles, and how this influences their approach to the major choice process.

Numerous hands-on activities– For Example: Explore list of more than 400 potential majors, find outside resource materials to research a major’s requirements, interview others who have backgrounds in the areas of interest.

• Motivates students to begin the selection process by providing small achievable steps

Fill-in-the-blank and checklist activities.

• Breaks down the decision-making process into “digestible” portions for students, with each set of exercises building on the next.

Worksheets to Organize Search–For interviewing, recording library research, personal log, etc.

• Helps students organize career information as well as identify their feelings about the process they are undergoing.

Chapter-end case studies–Addresses the needs and concerns of multi-cultural and non-traditional students.

• Helps students through the decision-making process by understanding other’s dilemmas.

Techniques for integrating academic (transcript) and career information.

• Shows students how to use transcripts and evaluate all their resources to make an informed decision–and formulate a plan for the future.

Making a commitment section — Includes creating an action plan for its implementation.

• Guides students through the process of narrowing down their academic choices and committing themselves to one

Introduction.

UNIT ONE: Taking Stock.

UNIT TWO: Exploring Self.

UNIT THREE: Exploring Majors.

UNIT FOUR: Exploring Occupations.

UNIT FIVE: Making a Decision.

UNIT SIX: Implementing Your Decision.

Appendix: The Job Search: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interview Preparation.

This revision of Selecting a College Major is a tremendous resource in assisting students with their search for a future that fits their strengths and interests.  This new and updated edition uses 14 Fields of Study as a framework for exploring academic possibilities.  It will help not only the “undecided” student with selecting a major, but also the “major-changer” who is exploring alternative options.

A systematic process leads students through personal and academic assessment as well as occupational information searches. Through thought-provoking activities, they can explore their academic, career, and personal interests and goals. Students can investigate academic majors from many perspectives, including a search of majors in general, majors on their campus, and majors based on their academic and occupational interests. Highlights include:

• A Natural Decision-Making Progression. Students are directly and personally involved in activities that involve exploration, reflection, and choice.
• Extensive Major Exploration. Three distinct approaches provide students with thorough exploration of the majors decision
• Incorporation of Academic and Career Interests, Abilities, and Values. Expanded self-assessment gives students information on which to base their choice of a major with in the 14 Fields of Study..
• Formulation of a Graduation Plan. Students use their academic transcripts to summarize all they have Learned and develop a plan for the future.

Visit the Student Success Supersite (www.prenhall.com/success), where students and faculty will find an array of resources.

Start strong. Finish stronger.

www.MyStudentSuccessLab.com

NEW! Uses 14 Fields of Study as a framework for exploring academic possibilities.

• Provides student with a clear system to explore the often overwhelming options.  

NEW! Expanded self-assessment activities and the results related directly to the 14 Fields of Study.

• Gives students opportunity to examine their personal interests, skills and values and use the insight to determine a direction within the 14 Fields of Study. 

NEW! Incorporates an extensive use of Internet resources into the activities for academic and occupational exploration.

• Familiarizes student with the resources vital in educational and occupational decision making.

NEW! Expanded occupational exploration, emphasizing the relationships between majors and career possibilities. 

• Helps students use the fields of study in which they have an interest to search for related occupational options.

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