Choosing a Major / Exploring Connections

Inquire   ♦    Identify  ♦    Evaluate  ♦   Integrate

ACA will help you explore how to connect your passions, skills, values, and talents to different majors and to your future work.

“There are no right or wrong decisions, only satisfying and unsatisfying ones.”

           Virginia Gordon, Career Advising, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Where do I start?

Look at who you are:

  • your skills
  • your  talents

  • your interests

  • your values

  • your accomplishments

Reflect on past experiences through which you felt fulfilled or successful.  What activities or events have really excited you?  Can you picture yourself enjoying learning more and getting more in-depth?

 

What resources are available to you?

ACA also offers ways to identify more of your God-given attributes through various resources (a few are listed below):

  • StrengthsFinder by Gallup University (get your access code from ACA, aca@principia.edu)

  • Focus 2 (get your access code from ACA, aca@principia.edu)

  • Check out books in ACA's library

    • College Majors and Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning
    • How to Get Any Job With Any Major?
    • What Should I Do with My Life?
    • What Color is Your Parachute?
    • Creating a Life Worth Living

 

How do I choose a major connected to my interests?

  • Read the summaries of majors in the Principia catalog, section 2 – Academic Programs to see where there might be a fit. 

  • For those that interest you…check out the course descriptions in section 3: Courses of Instruction. 

  • Know which major helps develop and strengthen the skills that connect your educational choices with types of work you may enter.

 

What can i do with a major in ... 

ART 

        Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians

        Artists and Related Workers 

        Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

        Graphic Design

        Designer, Painter, Sculpter, Copywriter, Interior Decorator, Photojournalist,
        Art Director, Computer Animator, ...and more!

        Designer, Painter, SculpterBIOLOGY AND Natural resources 

        Agricultural Inspectors

        Agricultural Workers, Other

        Biological Scientists

        Conservation Scientists and Foresters

        Environmental Scientists and Specialists

        Geoscientists and Hydrologists

        Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

Business Administration

        Financial Analysts

        Financial Managers

        Hotels and Other Accommodations

        Market and Survey Researchers

        Personal Financial Advisors

        Public Relations Specialists

        Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing

Chemistry

        Chemists and Materials Scientists

        Technical Writers

        Argronomist, Biochemist, Nuclear Scientist, Patent Examiner, Science 
        
Technician, ...and more!

Computer Science

        Computer and Information Systems Managers

        Computer Software Engineers and Computer Programmers

        Technical Writers

        Telecommunications

Dual Languages

        Flight Attendants

        Interpreters and Translators

        News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

        Teachers—Postsecondary

        Diplomat, Actor, Customs Inspector, FBI/CIA Agent, Journalist, Foreign News
       
Correspondent, Hotel Manager, Peace Core,...and more!

Economics

        Accountants and Auditors

        Economists

        Market and Survey Researchers

        Personal Financial Advisors

Education

        Counselors

        Educational Services

        Recreation Workers

        Teachers—Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary

        Teachers—Postsecondary

        Teachers—Preschool, Except Special Education

        Teachers—Vocational

Engineering Science

         Acoustical Engineer, Communications, Electrician, Field Services,
         Mechanical,,...and more!

         Atmospheric Scientists

         Engineering and Natural Sciences Managers

         Engineering Technicians

         Engineers

        Operations Research Analysts

English

         Authors, Writers, and Editors

         Educational Services

         Teachers—Adult Literacy and Remedial Education

         Technical Writers

French

        Flight Attendants

        Interpreters and Translators

        News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents 

        Teachers—Postsecondary

Global Perspectives

        Authors, Writers, and Editors

        Banking

        Insurance

        Market and Survey Researchers

        Social Scientists, Other

history

        Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians

        Insurance 

        Lawyers

Languages

        Flight Attendants

        Interpreters and Translators

        News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

        Teachers—Postsecondary

        Diplomat, Actor, Customs Inspector, FBI/CIA Agent, Journalist, Foreign News
        Correspondent, Hotel Manager, Peace Core,...and more!

Mass Communication

         Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators

         Motion Picture and Video Industries

         Photographers

         Public Relations Specialists

         Technical Writers

         Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors

Mathematics

         Actuaries

         Mathematicians

         Statisticians

         Cartographer, Surveyor, Appraiser, Financial Planner, Systems 
         Analyst, ...and more!

Music

          Motion Picture and Video Industries

          Musicians, Singers, and related workers

         Teachers—Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary

         Teachers—Postsecondary

Philosophy

         Counselors

         Lawyers

         Social Assistance, Except Child Day Care

Physics

         Physicists and Astronomers

         Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineer, Nuclear Technician, Seismologist,
        
...and more!

Political Science

         Lawyers

         News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

         Operations Research Analysts

         Sociologists and Political Scientists

Religion

          Christian Science Practitioner

          Religious Professor

          Chaplain, Director of Religious Education, Church Camp Director, ...and more!

Sociology and Anthropology

          Counselors

          Market and Survey Researchers

          Police and Detectives

          Recreation Workers

          Social and Human Service Assistants

          Social scientists, Other

          Social Workers

Spanish

          Flight Attendants

          Interpreters and Translators

          News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

          Teachers—Postsecondary

Theatre and Dance

          Actors, Producers, and Directors

          Dancers and Choreographers

          Musicians, Singers, and related workers

          Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors

 

     

When do I declare a major?

As a first-year student you may declare a major any time after your first term begins.

As a second-year student, if you have not already declared a major, you will be sent a “Change of Major/Minor/Advisor/ Degree” form.  At this time you can declare a major and a new advisor of your choice within the department, or instead you might choose to declare an exploratory focus ("undeclared") and be advised by an Academic and Career Advising staff member.  If you wish to retain your original new student advisor while remaining “undeclared” this can usually be arranged.

By the end of your second year, you are expected to declare a major.  Declaring a minor is optional.  The catalog for the academic year in which you declare your major contains the requirements related to your major.  If you take courses toward a major but wait to declare your major, you may find the courses you have taken will no longer meet the current requirements.

For more information see the Principia Catalog, section 2: Academic Programs

 

How do I find an advisor in my proposed major department?

  • Take introductory courses in the major from a variety of faculty members. 

  • Introduce yourself, if you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know all of the members of a department yet. 

  • Make an appointment to talk further with faculty about your interests and ask them about their areas of expertise…you might want to ask about potential related internships, Abroads, or other experiential opportunities.

  • Students with more than one major will have an advisor for each major. 

 

How to declare, change, or drop a major and/or a minor?

You can pick up the “Change of Major/Minor/Advisor/Degree” form at the Registrar's office or at ACA.  You must have your current academic advisor sign it, as well as the new advisor in your major area of study.  Turn in completed form to the Registrar’s office.

You can declare a minor any time (some minors require an advisor).  If an advisor is required, you must take the responsibility for finding one (check the Principia College Catalog for more information).

 

Declaring more than one major?

You may declare more than one major.  However, this means you will have an academic advisor in each major area and will need to be advised by both advisors.  You are also responsible to meet all writing requirements for both majors (ask your advisors in each major and the Writing Center for details).

 

What about a special major?

Yes, if you'd like the Principia experience while completing a one-of-a-kind major tailored to your interests, it requires more independent initiative.  It may be worth that extra effort!  A special major:

  • Has at least 50% of its courses taught on the Principia campus.
  • Allows speciality courses to be applied to your major from other colleges or universities.
  • Is designed in conjunction with the ACA special major coordinator and a faculty sponsor.
  • Must be approved by a Special Major Advisory Committee

Examples of recent special majors include aviation education and management, family studies, and range management.

 

Questions?  Ask ACA

Each student must declare and complete a major in order to graduate. When you declare a major you meet the requirements for that major under that year’s catalog. This is important because if a department makes changes in the major requirements, you will then have the option of choosing the old or new requirements. If you take courses toward a major and wait to declare, you may find the courses you have taken will no longer meet the current requirements.