Career Development

Choosing a Major

These are the most common questions asked of college students. They can also be two of the most dreaded questions, but they do not have to be. Taking a little time to explore your major and career options will go a long way toward making you more confident in your answers to these questions.

Choose a major you enjoy. Doing so will higher the chances of you succeeding academically and being motivated to take the courses required.

I'm not sure what major I should pick?

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • When speaking to peers or classmates what conversations do you participate in enthusiastically? What topics or previous classes have been appealing for you?
  • What challenges or issues have you faced? Can you imagine yourself solving these problems for others in a work environment?
  • What jobs, hobbies, or volunteer work have you enjoyed? What are you proud and passionate about that you've accomplished so far?

List the answers to these question and continue your research

  • Search through our Majors & Programs here at CSU Monterey Bay, or at any other colleges.
  • See what occupations best suit your major, check out "What Can I do with My Major"
  • Visit ONET website to learn more about a career, its industry and related fields of work.

What if more than 1 major appeals to me?

  • Declaring a minor in one of the disciplines
  • Double majoring

What if I am still not sure what I should major in?

If you remain unsure about your major or career path, try taking one of our Career Assessments.

Choosing a Major

Photo of desk with crumpled up post it notes.

What’s your major? What are you going to do when you graduate?

These are the most common questions asked of college students. They can also be two of the most dreaded questions, but they do not have to be. Taking a little time to explore your major and career options will go a long way toward making you more confident in your answers to these questions.

How should you pick a major?

Choose a major you enjoy. Doing so will higher the chances of you succeeding academically and being motivated to take the courses required.

If you are unsure about what you should major in, ask yourself the following questions:

When speaking to peers or classmates what conversations do you participate in enthusiastically? What topics or previous classes were appealing for you?
What challenges or issues have you faced? Can you imagine yourself solving these problems for others in a work environment?
What jobs, hobbies, or volunteer work have you enjoyed? What are you proud and passionate about that you've accomplished so far?
Photo of student writing notes.

List the answers to these questions and continue your research:

  1. Search through our Majors & Programs here at CSU Monterey Bay, or at any other colleges.
  2. See what occupations best suit your major in Connect a Major to a Career.
  3. Visit O'NET Online to learn more about a career, it's industry and related fields of work.

If more than one major appeals to you, consider:

  • Declaring a minor in one of the disciplines
  • Taking a few key courses in that major that will meet the learning objectives and skill building plan you have in mind
  • Double majoring

If you remain unsure about your major or career path, try taking the FOCUS Career Finder assessment.

Major Myths

  • Selecting a major will limit the career choices available to me after graduation.
  • I can only get a job in something related to my major.
  • Only an applied major like pre-med/biology or accounting will give the skills needed in the job market.

Major Facts

  • Studies indicate that the majority of college graduates are successfully employed in fields not directly related to their academic major.
  • Workers between the ages of 18 and 38 change jobs an average of 10 times.
  • An average person changes careers 3 to 7 times.
  • You might pursue a career based on your major, or you might pursue one based on passions or interests outside of your field of study.
  • No matter the major you choose, you will develop a well-rounded skill set at CSUMB that will allow you to pursue a variety of career options. Look at the skill set a major gives you. Is it a useful set of skills to careers that are of interest to you?
  • Some careers require specific knowledge or skills that you will obtain by taking certain classes. For example, medical schools require set math, chemistry, biology and other coursework to be eligible for admission. Certain licensed professions also require set courses and an ability to pass a subject test.
  • With most majors or areas of study, you will learn a broad range of skills that can transfer to a wide variety of careers.