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Choosing a Major

Whether you are trying to choose your major or change your major, we are here to help you explore your options and make informed decisions about your academic path at Simpson. This website has a variety of online resources to help you during this decision making process.  We also offer individualized career coaching services to help you.  To make an appointment, please login to Handshake and request a time through the Career Center tab.

Majors & Minors at Simpson College

Simpson College offers over 80 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs, so you have quite a few options to choose from! Begin by assessing your academic strengths and interests to narrow your search to 3-5 options, then dig in and research each option in-depth. As you consider each major, try to answer these questions:

  • What about this major/minor appeals to me? Why am I considering it as a potential choice?
  • Are there things about this major/minor that I’m not sure about or don’t like?
  • What are the requirements of this major/minor?
  • How does this major/minor fit my career goals for after graduation? What kind of careers do graduates of this program typically pursue?

To gather information on each major/minor so you can address these questions, review each program’s website fully. You might then develop a list of questions and interview faculty, current students, and alumni of the majors/minors you’re considering.

Additional Resources

This is a Simpson College resource available for our students to identify common occupational areas graduates pursue, potential employers, career planning strategies, and professional resources by academic major.

  

Candid Career is a Simpson College resource available for our students to view videos in order to learn more about various fields:

 

  • Career One Stop: This site has a searchable database of occupational profiles, industry information, and more.
  • My Next Move: Explore occupations by keyword, industry, or by completing a free career assessment.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook: Search this online database of occupational profiles to learn more about careers you’re considering.
  • O*Net: Another great resource for researching occupations and industries.
  • Truity: This website offers free personality and interest assessments that might provide insights into your preferences and talents.

Where Can I Get Help?

If you’d like help working through this process, consider making a career coaching appointment on Handshake with a staff member to get one-on-one assistance.

You should also work closely with your faculty advisor throughout your exploration process; they can help you create four-year plans and discuss the academic requirements of the major more fully. The Center for Academic Resources also offers advising assistance to exploring students.