A College for Christian Scientists
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 |
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?
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
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.
ART
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Designer, Painter, Sculpter, Copywriter, Interior Decorator, Photojournalist,
Art Director, Computer Animator, ...and more!BIOLOGY AND Natural resources
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Geoscientists and Hydrologists
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Business Administration
Hotels and Other Accommodations
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
Chemistry
Chemists and Materials Scientists
Argronomist, Biochemist, Nuclear Scientist, Patent Examiner, Science
Technician, ...and more!Computer Science
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer Software Engineers and Computer Programmers
Dual Languages
News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
Diplomat, Actor, Customs Inspector, FBI/CIA Agent, Journalist, Foreign News
Correspondent, Hotel Manager, Peace Core,...and more!Economics
Education
Teachers—Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary
Teachers—Preschool, Except Special Education
Engineering Science
Acoustical Engineer, Communications, Electrician, Field Services,
Mechanical,,...and more!Engineering and Natural Sciences Managers
English
Teachers—Adult Literacy and Remedial Education
French
News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
Global Perspectives
history
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
Languages
News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
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
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors
Mathematics
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
Philosophy
Social Assistance, Except Child Day Care
Physics
Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineer, Nuclear Technician, Seismologist,
...and more!Political Science
News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
Sociologists and Political Scientists
Religion
Christian Science Practitioner
Religious Professor
Chaplain, Director of Religious Education, Church Camp Director, ...and more!
Sociology and Anthropology
Social and Human Service Assistants
Spanish
News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
Theatre and Dance
Actors, Producers, and Directors
Musicians, Singers, and related workers
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
