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Choice of Major and Choice of Career
Trying to connect choice of major and choice of career?
For some majors, the connection between what you study and what you do for work (or at least where you'll start your career) is often relatively clear. Accounting majors generally work as accountants. Initially, nursing majors generally go on to work as nurses. Initially, education majors generally end up at the front of a classroom.
For other majors, the connection between what you study and what you eventually do for work is not as direct. Psychology majors may go into a helping profession, but they just as easily might land a position with an advertising firm. Philosophy majors may choose to be philosophers in the sense that they pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy or they may choose to apply their logic and analytic abilities to a career in law. In these cases, what you choose to do with your time outside the classroom (e.g., volunteer work, internships, summer jobs) may have greater impact on your career path than what you specifically choose to study at the undergraduate level.
This is good news! It frees you to make academic choices ​aligned with your intellectual interests. What subjects captivate you? Which professors inspire you to continue studying with them? No matter which major you ultimately select, you will develop communication, analytical, logic, critical thinking, interpersonal, and problem resolution skills that prospective employers and graduate admission committees seek.
We invite you to discuss your choice of major and its connection to career with one of our career counselors.
To schedule an appointment, stop by Roberts Hall 117 or call 401-456-8031.​
What can I do with a major in...?​​
Check out these sites to expand your understanding of careers that have both direct and indirect connections to the major you may be considering. Check out Buzzfile, a comprehensive Employers by Major resource, to identify, research, and network with thousands of prospective employers, anywhere across the U.S.​​​​​
