Choosing a Major

Getting to Know Yourself...

When it comes time to choose a major it is important to first identify three things...

Your skill sets
What you can do
What you like to do

The following groupings, which are based on the Holland code, identify a few majors that you may want to investigate based on what you like to do and what you can do. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive; rather, it is to illustrate that you have a large selection of options based on your interests and skill sets. Once you have established an occupational theme you can begin to research individual career options.

Investigative Majors

Are you... inquisitive, analytical, scientific, observant, and/or precise?

Can you... think abstractly, solve math problems, understand complex theories, use a microscope, and/or interpret formulas?

Do you like to... explore ideas, use computers, work independently, perform lab experiments, and/or analyze data?

If so, explore Investigative majors, minors, and programs such as biological sciences, mathematics, physics, exercise sports science, information technology, chemistry, biochemistry, philosophy, geological sciences, kinesiology, civil, environmental, electrical or mechanical engineering, finance, accounting, ....

Conventional Majors

Are you... well organized, accurate, methodical, conscientious. and/or efficient?

Can you... work well within a system, do paper work quickly, keep accurate records, use a computer terminal, and write effective business letters?

Do you like to... follow defined procedures, process data quickly, work with numbers, type or word process, organize information, and/or be responsible for details?

If so, explore Conventional majors, minors, and programs such as accounting, finance, information technology, computer science, information systems and decision sciences, English, physics, communications, public administration, criminal justice, ....

Enterprising Majors

Are you... self confident, assertive, persuasive, enthusiastic and/or energetic?

Can you... initiate projects, convince people, sell things, organize activities and events, and/or lead a group?

Do you like to... make decisions, be elected to an office, start your own business, win a leadership award, and meet important people?

If so, explore Enterprising majors, minors, and programs such as business administration, management, marketing, advertising, political science, communications, public administration, sports management, teaching, criminal justice, human services, ....

Social Majors

Are you... friendly, helpful, idealistic, outgoing, and/or understanding?

Can you... teach/train others, express yourself clearly, lead a discussion, plan and supervise an activity, and/or cooperate well with others?

Do you like to... work in groups, help people, volunteer, and/or participate in meetings?

If so, explore Social majors, minors, and programs such as educational leadership, liberal studies, communications, psychology, sociology, human services, child and adolescent studies, education, counseling, comparative religion, business, ethnic studies, nursing, gerontology, human communication studies, women's studies, foreign language education, criminal justice, ....

Artistic Majors

Are you... creative, intuitive, imaginative, innovative, and/or an individualist?

Can you... sketch/draw/paint, write stories/music/plays, originate new ideas, or design fashion/interiors?

Do you like to... visit art museums, attend concerts/plays/theatre, read fiction/plays/poetry, work on crafts, and/or express yourself creatively?

If so, explore Artistic majors, minors, and programs such as art, English, communications, theatre and dance, radio, TV, film, teaching, advertising, public relations, journalism, graphic design, child and adolescent studies, education,....

Realistic Majors

Are you... practical, straightforward, mechanically inclined, a nature lover, and/or curious about the physical world?

Can you... fix electrical things, pitch a tent, solve mechanical problems, plant a garden, and/or operate tools or machinery?

Do you like to... tinker with machines, be physically active, use your hands, work outdoors, and/or build things?

If so, consider exploring career options categorized as Realistic. Careers categorized as realistic typically involve an active hands on approach. Realistic majors, minors, and programs include biological sciences, anthropology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer sciences, civil, environmental, mechanical, and electrical engineering, geological sciences, kinesiology, criminal justice, health sciences, computer science,....

Skills and Personality Assessments

Not sure how to answer the above questions? Consider taking a skills assessment and/or a personality assessment.

The Strong Interest Inventory is designed to assess your skills and link them to related career occupations.
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is designed to assess your personality traits and link them to related career occupations.

For more information about assessments or to take an assessment, login to your student portal and click the "Career Center" link.

Career Center Resources

For more information on careers that you can pursue within these occupational themes please consider using the following Career Center resources.

Ferguson's Career Guidance Database, a national career database, can display all careers associated with a particular discipline, as well as provide industry overviews, career descriptions, and other valuable resources. The database is accessible from on- and off-campus, through the student portal. Login to your student portal and click the "Career Center" link.
Eureka is a database that provides information on careers, majors, occupations, and a skills assessment specific to the state of California. This database is available in the Career Center computer lab in LH-208.
O'Net Online, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides detailed occupational information. To access the website, go to http://online.onetcenter.org.

Career Development Specialist

If you would like to speak with a career development specialist to assist you with your career exploration, contact or schedule an appointment with Elizabeth Zavala-Acevez at the Career Center.

	Elizabeth Zavala-Acevez
	Career Development Specialist
	ezavala-acevez@fullerton.edu
	(714) 278-2030