Choosing Your Major

Pop Quiz!

True or False? Your major dictates exactly what your career will be when you graduate.
Answer: False

True or False? Majors must be declared freshman year and may never change.
Answer: False

Did you know…?

· Before entering the NBA, Michael Jordan majored in geography.
· Jay Leno majored in speech therapy.
· Before being a Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts focused on pre- veterinarian studies.
· Golf professional Tiger Woods majored in economics.

The truth is, approximately 80% of college graduates have a job unrelated to their major. Majors are meant to be fun and interesting. They are not meant to narrow down your career path or keep you from exploring your passions. In fact, at Siena, 43% of last year’s freshman class came in undeclared. To help students find their interests, all students are required to take core courses as part of Siena’s core curriculum. These courses develop a well-rounded individual, competent in many disciplines and skills. Examples of core courses include:

· Literary Perspectives
· The Shaping of the Contemporary World
· Philosophy and the Human Being
· Religion in Western Culture
· Introduction to Theatre
· Issues in Contemporary American Education
· The Sociological Perspective
· Environmental Science
· Introduction to Programming

In addition to the core courses, below are some tips and guidelines to help you navigate ways to choose a major:

· Look at your high school transcript. What classes did you enjoy and what classes did you struggle with? This is a good starting point to help you determine which areas of study you can excel in.

· Talk to your school counselor, family and friends. It is often the thoughts and conversations with others that will help spark an idea.

· Check out liberal arts schools. A liberal arts school will give you the opportunity to take courses in different fields of study, broaden your view, and help develop you as a person. Explore the options and keep an open mind!

· Are there any majors that directly relate to the clubs and activities you enjoy?

· Utilize your faculty advisor. At Siena, all students are given a faculty advisor within their school of study. The experienced mentors offer you advice, help you navigate the curriculum and discover your course of study.

It is not your major that will determine if you will be successful. It is the knowledge, skills and experiences you obtain from college that matter most. Individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as a team player and possess a strong work ethic are highly sought after by employers.

Here are some examples of successful Siena graduates who came in with undeclared majors or majors unrelated to their eventual career:

· Ed Henry ’96, English major, CNN’s senior White House correspondent
· Jim Barba ’66, History major, CEO of Albany Medical Center
· James Scully ’87, English major, CFO of J. Crew
· Jim Nolan ’75, Physics major, Dean of the School of Business at Siena College

Through your experiences inside and outside the classroom, your interactions with others, and patience, you will discover the major for you. Remember, it’s the journey that matters most!