Career Services
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Choosing a Major

Choosing a major calls for gathering information, weighing alternatives, and allowing unhurried time for both thinking concretely and daydreaming.  Choosing a major should be a process, leading to discovery and, ultimately, increased career satisfaction. 
This process may or may not be a step-by-step progression; rather, it may be fluid or cyclical, i.e. starting at step 4 or 5 and then discovering this is not what you want to do in life and then moving to step 1.
The Process…

1. Self-Assessment/Discovery
2. Identify Options/Research
3. Decision Making
  • Compare options side by side
  • Identify pros and cons
  • Identify if negative self-talk or self-defeating thoughts may be influencing your decision
  • Discuss your options with those who know you well
  • Remember to check options against what you learned in self-assessments
  • Does it fulfill your passion in life as well as meet your practical needs?
  • Remember, it is your life goals and ultimately your decision!
  • Try the Decision-Making Worksheet 
4. Design Your Career Plan (short term/long term)
5. Experience Your Field
 6. Launch Your Career (job search, resume…)
  • Visit the Career Center if you need employment and/or assistance finding and communicating with potential employers
  • Create resumes, cover letters, or use one of our resume/cover letter templates
  • Make an appointment with our Career Center specialists and counselors to review your resumes and help you in the entire major and career search process
  • Job search engines: look up how your future jobs are being advertised, and how to best prepare at www.indeed.com, www.glassdoor.com,  or  www.monster.com (Don't forget to check out the Free Online Job Board at the Career Center)
  • Prepare for interviews and read about others’ experiences of interviewing with specific companies
  • Use are Perfect Interview program at the Career Center to practice
7. Meet with a Counselor and/or take an in-depth class to explore careers and majors
  • Make an appointment with a Counselor to explore your career options and create a career and academic plan or Job Placement Case Manager to discuss your employment needs.
  • Take Counseling 120, College and Career Success (3 unit course that meets CSU GE and transfer to the UC) or Counseling 110, Career Decision Making (1 unit course that transfers to the CSU
 More Guides on Choosing a Major 


Last Updated: 06/09/2020

Contact

Career Center
Email: cuyamaca.career@gcccd.edu

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  • Grossmont
  • Cuyamaca
A Member of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District