Your major will build the academic foundation for your career, so how do you choose the one that is right for you? Here at Syracuse, there is a wide array of choices: over 200 academic programs and majors in addition to over 100 minors across ten undergraduate schools and colleges. With so many options, it can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are a lot of resources on campus to help!
First, you can always connect with advisors. Advisors in the undergraduate schools and colleges can help you understand requirements for a major, different minors available, and more. You can also check the course catalogue and each school/college website for descriptions of each major. When you meet with an advisor, they are going to expect you to have questions. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- If you know your career goals, how will this major help you get there?
- What can you do to best prepare for your career academically?
- How would this major fit in with my graduation plan?
- What would my 4-year plan look like with a major change?
- What are the career opportunities for this major?
- How could this major be complemented by another major or minor?
- How do I declare a major or minor?
Want to learn more about the various majors and minors and their entrance requirements? Save the date for the Intra-University Transfer Fair (IUT) on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The IUT Fair will be on the Quad and each school/college will host a session via Zoom. At the IUT Fair, students can ask questions about the different majors offered across campus and learn more about application deadlines, course requirements, and if there is a certain grade point average needed to transfer. Students can also ask advisors questions about changing their major within their school or college.
Questions to think about when choosing a major:
- What interests me?
- What am I good at?
- What classes do I enjoy attending the most?
- What are my future goals? How does this major fit with them?
- What kind of problems do you like solving?
- What type of environment do you see yourself working in the future?
There’s also Syracuse University Career Services, which offers resources to help students discover their interests and explore a course of study that works best for them. The Career Services website provides information on what programs, majors, and minors are available at Syracuse University and what career options are available for different majors. Additionally, Career Services has links to websites and quizzes to aid in self-discovery, such as the Career Aptitude Test or the What Can I Do with this Major? website. These resources can help you discover or narrow down your interests and talents and connect them with a corresponding field of study.
Still have questions or need additional support? Schedule a meeting with your advisor or a Career Services team member through Handshake, Syracuse’s hub for career and internship information.
Written by Charlotte Shea ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications