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Exploring Majors

Step-by-Step Strategies that Work

Begin by taking stock of your:

  • Interests: What do you most enjoy learning and doing?
  • Skills: What are you good at?
  • Values: What’s most important to you?
  • Goals: What do you want to accomplish?
  • Personality traits: How do people describe you?
  • Career interests: What kind of work do you see yourself doing?
  • Preferred work environment: What kinds of settings keep you motivated?

Next, research potential career directions. Check out these resources:

  • UNCW Career Center roundup of job info associated with each major
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • O*Net Online, a career exploration and job analysis tool from the U.S. Department of Labor
  • Tools for researching employers collected by the UNCW Career Center
  • Google video searches for job titles you’re interested in

You can also start learning more about requirements and prerequisites for different UNCW majors — see the undergraduate catalog.

As you narrow your interests, talk to people — you’ll get answers and learn to network. Start with:

  • Your academic advisor
  • Career counselors at the UNCW Career Center
  • Faculty in the programs that interest you
  • Alumni and other working professionals

These conversations will offer insight into what different majors and careers are really like.

Now it’s time to get some first-hand experience. By the way, UNCW is famous for helping students discover opportunities for real-world training. You can do so by:

  • Setting up a job shadow (ask any alumni/professionals you’ve connected with)
  • Arranging an internship — the UNCW Career Center team can help
  • Volunteering
  • Getting a related part-time job
  • Studying abroad
  • Conducting undergraduate research
  • Joining a student club or organization

Contact University College

UNCW University College

Phone: (910) 962-3245
Fax: (910) 962-4290

Hoggard Hall, Room 172
601 S. College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403

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