Choosing Your Major
Are you having difficulty choosing a major or finding that right career path? You are not alone! Here are some things you can do to help determine the right major and career path for you.
Visit the Career Planning & Development Center (CPDC)
The career center provides a wealth of information related to possible majors and careers. To help determine the best major for you, take advantage of one-on-one career advising and career assessments.
One-on-one Career Advising
Indiana Tech students and alumni have access to CPDC career advising services at no cost. Depending on your needs, you will be scheduled for 30 to 60 minutes with a CPDC professional. Career advising topics can include:
- Choosing a major/career
- Exploring careers and connecting them to your major
- Finding an internship, field placement or volunteer opportunity related to your major
- Job search strategies including resume critiques, mock interview and job search assistance
- Using your degree to advance in your existing career
- Changing your career
To schedule an appointment, please call the CPDC front desk at 260.422.5561 ext. 2217. You may also take advantage of "drop in" times specifically designed for quick career-related questions.
Career Assessments
The CPDC offers assistance assessing your personality and interests as they relate to your career. The CPDC provides two career assessments: the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory. These can be taken together or separately as determined by a CPDC professional. Both assessments are free to you as a student.
- MBTI: The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) helps determine your preference for gathering information and making decisions. The MBTI recognizes these preferences allowing you to interpret and realize how you can work effectively in the workforce environment.
- SII: The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) helps you make career decisions by identifying your likes and dislikes. It compares your choices, analyzes them, and makes a general summary of possible career choices based upon your responses. This allows you to plan your career direction and determine which path is right for you. The SII contains 291 items that determine your level of interest in occupations, professional activities, hobbies, leisure activities and diverse types of people.
To schedule a time to take the MBTI and/or SII, please contact the CPDC front desk at 260.422.5561 ext. 2217
Back to top
Gain experience in a major by joining a related club, volunteering or working
Hands-on experience in an area of interest can help you to test the waters, so to speak. The CPDC can help connect you to off campus opportunities, and Student Life can help you get connected to a related campus organization.
Back to top
Talk with classmates, professors, family and friends, and consult the course catalog
Examining your options with people that know you well can help you to narrow your focus. In addition, the course catalog provides information and descriptions of each course. Reading these summaries can help you to decide whether or not you would find interest in the classes.
Back to top
Shadow alumni in your field of interest
Since majors are tied to careers, it can be helpful to observe first-hand how an Indiana Tech alum is utilizing his or her major. The CPDC can help connect you to alumni to shadow or to build a mentoring relationship.
Back to top
Steps to choosing a major
- Assess your interests: What excites you?
- Identify strengths and weaknesses: What do you do well and not-so-well?
- Examine your values: What, in life, is most important to you?
- Explore possible career fields related to majors of interest: What are my options and what is available?
- Narrow your possibilities and evaluate your options: What can you do with a major in…?
Back to top
Additonal links on choosing a major