Choosing A Major

1
Choosing A Major

• Myths About Choosing a Major
• Academic Regulations
• Available Options
• The Importance of Self-Assessment
• Interest Activity
• Steps to Choosing Your Major
• Researching Majors and Careers
• Declaring your Major
• Resources to Help

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Choosing A Major

• What do you know about choosing a major so far?
• What makes the decision so difficult?

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Common Myths

• I must know what my major is when I begin my
  program.
• If I do choose a major, I must stick with it
  forever and it cannot be changed.
• My major will determine my career.
• I must know my long range goals before I choose
  my major.
• An aptitude test or interest inventory will tell
  me what I should do.
• At some magical moment my choice will become
  clear.
• Theres something wrong with me because I cant
  decide. Everyone else knows what they are doing.

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What is a Major?

• a)an area of focus and concentration towards a
  certain study
• b)a planned selection of courses intended to
  provide background and depth in a discipline
• c)a necessary process that allows you the
  opportunity for further formal education in many
  recognized fields
• d)all of the above
• What is the best response?

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Academic Regulations re Choosing Your Major

• Students must declare their major before
  registering for their sixth unit of course work
  p. 32 2008-09 academic calendar
• If you do not officially declare your major or a
  General Studies program within this timeframe,
  you will not be permitted to register for further
  courses.

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Available Degree Options

• Bachelor of Arts
• B.A. General Studies
• B.A. with a Major (15 unit degree)
• B.A. with Advanced Major (20 unit degree)
• Interdisciplinary B.A.
• B.A. Honours

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Possible Majors (B.A.)

• Canadian Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Economics
• English
• French
• History
• Mathematics
• Linguistics

• Philosophy
• Political Studies
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Sociology/Anthro- pology
• Spanish
• Womens Studies

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Possible Minors (B.A.)

• Those listed under possible majors or
• Applied Human Nutrition
• Biology
• Business Administration

• Child and Youth Studies
• Computer Studies
• Information Technology
• Family Studies Gerontology
• Linguistics

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Available Degree Options

• Bachelor of Science
• B.Sc.General Studies
• B.Sc. with a Major (15 units)
• B.Sc. with Advanced Major (20 units)
• B.Sc. Honours

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Possible Majors (B.Sc.)

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Psychology

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Possible Minors (B.Sc.)

• Those Listed Under Possible Majors or
• Computer Studies
• Physics
• Applied Human Nutrition
• Note For both B.A. and B.Sc., be sure to refer
  to the section of the calendar with course
  descriptions, which describe requirements for
  your particular discipline, and any recommended
  minors.

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Professional Programs Available

• Applied Human Nutrition
• Business Administration
• Child and Youth Study
• Family Studies and Gerontology
• Information Technology
• Public Relations
• Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Unique Program Bachelor of Arts Co-operative
  Education Route with Integrated Major
  (History/Information Technology)
• Education (need Bachelors degree first)

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Self-Assessment

• Getting to Know You
• Interests What do you like to do? What are your
  passions?
• Values What is important to you?
• Skills What are you good at?
• Personality What are your best qualities?
• Holland Interest Activity- Party Game

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Hollands Themes
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Hollands Interest Themes

• Realistic People
• Enjoy working with their hands, tools, building
  or creating things, working outdoors, physically
  active, practical, traditional
• Relevant MSVU programs
• B.Sc. Biology, Chemistry

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Hollands Interest Themes

• Artistic
• Enjoy self expression, art appreciation, like to
  work alone, have instructional, artistic
  abilities (music, writing, visual art), like to
  work in an unstructured occupation, use
  creativity and imagination, perceptive, sensitive
• Relevant MSVU programs
• B.A. - English, French, Spanish, Cultural
  Studies, History, Canadian Studies, Linguistics,
  Philosophy
• Bachelor of Public Relations
• Bachelor of Education

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Hollands Interest Themes

• Investigative
• Original, creative (especially in scientific
  areas), enjoy working alone, analytical, curious,
  task oriented, logical, reserved, rational
• Relevant MSVU Programs
• B.A. - Psychology, Economics, Mathematics
• B.Sc. - Biology, Psychology, Chemistry,
  Mathematics
• B.Sc. in Applied Human Nutrition
• Bachelor of Education

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Hollands Interest Themes

• Social
• Like to work with people (to inform, train, help
  them), generous, cooperative, good verbal and
  listening skills
• Relevant MSVU Programs
• B.A. - History, Canadian Studies, Psychology,
  Sociology/Anthropology, Womens Studies,
  Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, English,
  French, Spanish, Political Studies
• B.Sc. - Psychology
• Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child and Youth
  Study
• Bachelor of Applied Arts in Family Studies
  Gerontology
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition
• Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management

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Hollands Interest Themes

• Enterprising
• Ambitious, persuasive, interested in business
  and/or politics, adventurous, sociable, possess
  leadership skills
• Relevant MSVU Programs
• B.A. - Political Studies, Canadian Studies,
  History
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Public Relations
• Bachelor of Tourism Hospitality Management

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Hollands Interest Themes

• Conventional
• Dependable, efficient, accurate, interested in
  organization, data, finance
• Relevant MSVU Programs
• B.A. - Economics
• B.A./B.Sc. - Mathematics
• Bachelor of Applied Arts in Information
  Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Education

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First Year Steps to Choosing Your Major

• Take courses that interest you.
• Get involved in activities on campus that
  interest you (societies, clubs, sports,
  volunteering, part-time work).
• Strive for high grades to keep your options open
  attend study skills workshops for help in this
  area.
• Meet with an academic advisor to discuss course
  options.
• Meet with a career counsellor to take an interest
  inventory and other self-assessment activities.
• Research majors and careers that interest you.

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First Year Steps to Choosing Your Major

• Talk to professors and the chair of the
  discipline you are interested in.
• Talk to people who perform careers that interest
  you (attend career fairs, participate in other
  Career Planning Centre programs).
• Set up meetings with people so you can ask
  questions.

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Research Questions To Ask

• What is the study of English, History,
  Chemistry, etc?
• What occupations are linked to this major?
• What courses are needed to successfully complete
  this major?
• What minor and electives would best complement
  this major?
• What are the characteristics of successful
  students in this field?

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Research Questions to Ask

• Does this program have a society or offer
  opportunities to do volunteer work?
• Where have students from this program gone after
  graduation?
• What graduate programs can I apply to with this
  major?
• How did you become interested in this field?
• Is there another student or alumnae you can refer
  me to for further information?

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Declaring your Major

• Prior to your second year (or sixth course), you
  must declare either a major or a General Studies
  Program (from p. 32 2008-09 MSVU calendar)
• If declaring a major
• Have your advisor from the department in which
  you wish to major sign a Change of Program form
  (available from Registrars office, dept. chair,
  or www.msvu.ca).
• Take the completed form to the Registrars
  Office. You must file a signed declaration form
  with the Registrars Office to officially declare
  your major.
• If declaring a General Studies Program
• Have the Student Academic Advisor sign a change
  form.
• Take the completed form to the Registrars
  Office. You must file a signed declaration form
  with the Registrars Office to officially declare
  your general studies program.

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Resources To Help You

• On Campus
• Academic Advising Seton 302
• Registrars Office, Evaristus 215
• Career Planning Centre Evaristus 218
• Departments That Interest You
• Websites
• www.msvu.ca/careerplanning
• www.careercruising.com
• ID Mount, Password Vincent - Canadian site that
  profiles over 500 different jobs with info on
  duties, educational requirements, salary etc.
• Recommended Book
• How to Get Any Job with Any Major, Donald Asher,
  2004