What is the No. 1 answer when we ask incoming students what their major will be? It's not business or any of the sciences. It's "undecided." And that's okay. In fact, that can be your best approach when you begin college.
Society places too much pressure on 17- and 18-year-olds to decide on their major and lock themselves into a program. And there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about choosing a major (here are nine). We think many students benefit from waiting to declare a major. When you join our academic community, you explore different areas, get hands-on experience in different settings, and discover what you want to do and who you want to be.
That's why OWU doesn't require you to declare your major until the end of you sophomore year. OWU's academic progam focuses on helping you develop nine core "power skills" that employers value most highly, no matter what career path you choose. You will learn to think, speak, and act.
Your first year at Ohio Wesleyan is your greatest opportunity to explore the breadth of the liberal arts. This is your year to expand your options, expand your experience, expand your mind.
In your second year, begin to focus on areas that you find especially exciting. When you find majors that you like, gather information. Take another class in that subject. Visit a faculty member during their office hours to talk about the field. Talk with students majoring in the subject. Go to the Career Connection office and ask about an externship, where you can shadow an alum working in the field.
And think about how you would answer questions like these about why you might be interested in a specific major.
By the end of the year, you should have a broad base of classes under your belt, and you will be able to officially declare your major.
Before you declare a major - or if you plan to change majors - do you think you might have challenges in telling your family about your decision? If so, here are some tips that will help you prepare for that major conversation.
Or maybe you'll declare two majors!
A second major can make a graduate's resume more impressive in certain fields - and the right combination could be ideal for a career path you want to pursue. For example, combining zoology with English or commuinication could be a winning combination for someone who wants a career writing about animals and science.
That's why OWU makes it easerier than many universities for students to graduate with multiple majors. In fact, about a third of OWU students graduate with two or more majors!
If you're thinking about combining two (or three) majors, start working with your academic advisor as early as possible to make sure you can combine the right classes to ensure that you graduate on time.
Academic Advising's "Deciding on a Major" webpage is filled with indepth information about every aspect of the process. Here are a few of the resources there to help you learn about all your options and choose the right path for yourself.
OWU's academic program is built to help you discover career options and pathways. Take advantage of the First-Year Seminar, OWU's vast array of classes, OWU Connection opportunities, and the Career Connection office to help you find a career path with purpose and fulfillment.
OWU's network of alumni is vast and loyal. Watch for opportunities to meet with alumni when they visit campus to talk with students in small groups. And check with the Career Connection office for internships with alumni from New York to San Francisco. It's a great way to help find your path.
Every year, you can explore nine different academic fields in only one hour. OWU's annual i³ (iQubed) program is one of OWU's most popular events, where nine faculty members deliver mini-lectures on the topic of their choice in about three minutes each. It's a fun, no-pressure way to see what taking classes would be like in areas from art to zoology. Don't miss it!
The Exploratory Career Community in the Career Connection office provides support and resources for students to explore a variety of careers and receive guidance in selecting a career community and field of interest. As students explore, we help them identify challenges they want to tackle, instead of looking only at only specific job titles. These conversations can open worlds of possibilities not previously considered.
Before you arrive on campus, you will have an academic advisor to help you select classes and learn about academic programs and opportunities. Your advisor is a great resource, but at OWU, every professor is ready to help advise and guide you! Go to your professors' office hours to discuss your classes - and even go to office hours of any faculty member to learn about a new field. They are there to help you!
Bridget came to OWU undecided about a major, pursued sociology and psychology, then found her passion during an OWU Connection experience with an archaeological dig in Romania. In 2024, she earned her master's degree in archaeology.
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