How do I Choose a Major?

Student raising hand in a classroom

Did you know adults change careers just as often as students change majors? It’s true! The secret is taking the skills you learn in college (project management, public speaking, etc.) and applying them to whatever field you find yourself in.

Choosing a major is just a stepping stone, and if you’re not sure where to start it can feel a little scary. Here are some resources that you might find helpful:
  1. First and foremost, you don’t need to have a major picked out when you apply. In fact, we built our Discover Program around helping you find a major by your sophomore year. On the flip side, you are not locked into a major if you apply and then change your mind. College is meant to be an exploratory time and we are here to support you no matter what that journey looks like.
  2. Not sure where to start? Use assessment tests to help identify strengths, interests, traits and other qualities to narrow down potential fields. Merrimack offers a free tool called Awato that has five assessment quizzes ranging from 3 to 10 minutes long. Not only will you learn more about yourself, but Awato will suggest potential majors and careers that are a good fit for you.
  3. Lastly, Merrimack works closely with LightCast Technologies to help you explore what your major could look like as a future career. Simply choose a career cluster and major to see average salaries and openings; click “Explore Careers” to dive deeper into demand, location and more.”

 

Remember: every college is different, and there might be some out there that require you to apply directly into a school or program. Although we have five different schools at Merrimack, we are not like that—so submit your app with or without a major! Either way, we’ve got your back.

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