Career Exploration

Myth #1: Being undecided about my major is bad. There is nothing wrong with being undecided about your major; most students are undecided or question their major at some point in their academic career. Just be diligent about exploring your options and working towards a decision by the end of your sophomore year (KU requires students to declare a major after completing 60 credits).

Myth #2: If I choose a major now, I won't be able to change my mind later. It's actually rather common for students to change their majors during college: the average student will change their major three to four times. Before changing your major, remember to connect with your advisor to determine how your decision might impact your four-year plan.

Myth #3: There's one "right" major for me. With over 190 undergraduate majors to choose from at KU, you'll likely find at least a handful of majors that will fit your strengths and interests. Work with your academic advisor and career coach to identify programs that will meet your academic and professional goals.

Myth #4: Choosing a major is directly related to choosing a career. While some college majors train students for specific careers (e.g. nursing, accounting, or teaching), most careers do not require a specific college major. In fact, a majority of college graduates have successful careers in fields not directly related to their academic majors!

Myth #5: My [career advisor, academic advisor, parents, career assessment] can tell me what to do. You and you alone are the best person to decide your academic and career path. While getting feedback from your parents, KU professionals, and career assessments can help you choose a major, ultimately the power is in your hands. You are the expert on you - no one knows you better!

• Vault - Use the "Career Paths" section to learn more about industries in which you may be interested.
• Learn How to Become - Browse information on how to pursue a myriad of careers, as well as how to conduct an effective job search in a variety of fields and industries.
• CareerOneStop - Search for occupational profiles and job market trends, like fastest growing or highest paying occupations and industries.
• My Next Move - Explore career options by keyword, industry, interests, and education level.
• My Skills My Future - Search for occupations that share similar skill sets.
• Princeton Review's Careers & Majors Tools - Learn about academic majors and career paths; creation of a free account is required to view full profiles.
• KU Edwards Campus career blog – Explore career paths and degree options, find tips for effective resumes and cover letters and more.
• O*Net Online - Find detailed descriptions of jobs and industries; searchable by skills, interests and keywords.