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How to Think About the Major

The major is a deep dive into a specific area of study in which a student will take several classes; it’s a requirement for a degree. Some students worry that they need to pick a major that employers will value. But all majors produce employable graduates — because the value of a �󷢲�Ʊ liberal arts education is about much more than just the major. Here’s why. 

“Internship providers and employers want candidates with curiosity and the core skills that will help them succeed in their position,” said Teresa Olsen, Milone Family AVP for career initiatives. “All �󷢲�Ʊ students refine those core skills — from oral and written communication, critical thinking, time management, working across difference, technology, and collaboration, to their ability to receive and deliver constructive feedback.” 

Students build these skills through the collective experiences of their academic courses, co-curricular activities, internships, research, and career development programs. This is comprehensive preparation for a future where new kinds of professional paths are always opening up, and where most people change jobs or career tracks multiple times. 

The major allows students to immerse themselves into an area of study as they hone those skills and deepen their thinking. “Employers tell us that the diversity of thought and perspective inherent in different academic majors’ training is invaluable to their teams,” said Olsen. 

So, focusing on what a student finds truly academically interesting is a far better tactic than choosing a major based on what they think an employer might want.

The Importance of Interest and Motivation

Sheer enjoyment of the subject should be a key factor in a student’s choice of major.

“We know that students learn best when they are intrinsically motivated,” explained psychology professor Regina Conti. Her research investigates motivational processes in school, health, work, and family contexts — particularly, the link between intention and action.

“Intrinsic motivation toward college-level work has two components: enjoyment and challenge.” Conti explained. She suggests that “students choose a field that they find engaging and satisfying to study and in which they expect their skills will be stretched.”

Students feel intrinsically motivated, she said, when what psychologists Ed Deci and Rich Ryan would call their self-determination is supported. That happens when their needs are fulfilled in three areas:

• Autonomy. Students need a sense of freedom and ownership over their academic choices. Conti suggests that family members “support their students’ interests as they emerge, and try to avoid making suggestions that may be perceived by their student as a directive.” 
• Competence. Students need to feel that they can master the material in the subject of their major. Recognizing your student’s accomplishments, and encouraging them to find support on campus if they are struggling in a course of interest are two ways that family members can support their students, Conti said. 
• Relatedness. Students experience motivation when they make connections with professors and the other students in their major. Asking your student about the people they are learning from, and with, can help them recognize those connections. Conti also suggests attending department events when you visit campus, and otherwise supporting bonding around your student’s intellectual interests.

Doug Johnson, a psychology professor and dean of academic and curricular affairs, reiterated Conti’s advice: “Choosing a major based on intellectual interest should be the primary goal. Everything else will follow.”

That said, international students may have some special considerations. For international students who would like to stay in the United States for internships and post-graduate work after graduating from �󷢲�Ʊ, the choice of major has particular significance. Their major must topically fit within the career field in which they would like to work; the U.S. visa process is strict about this. These students should, early on in their time at �󷢲�Ʊ, take advantage of the support provided by Career Services and the Office of International Student Services to discuss their goals and ensure that their plan meets the necessary requirements. 

Deciding Upon a Major

Declaring a major is an important moment. Students should have a sense of how specific their postgraduate goals are so they can be sure to choose a program that will meet them. For example, the major can be a factor in graduate or professional school admission.

If your student isn't sure about their academic choices, career direction, or even how co-curriculars might help to shape their path, encourage them to