Majors and Careers

How do you figure it all out?

Most students come to Bates without a clear idea of what they want to major in; others start off with a plan but then change their minds after taking courses in new disciplines.  There may be 2 or 3 majors that are right for you and all can lead to the same career.  Almost every field includes individuals who majored in a range of academic subjects.  The process of settling on a major or selecting a career path can be confusing and stressful, so we’re here to help.

3 Steps to Choosing a Major

Self Assessment
Take the time to identify your skills, interests and values. Call and make an appointment to discuss your ideas with a career counselor, or consider taking a standardized instrument such as the Strong Interest Inventory (please discuss with a BCDC counselor before taking).

Exploration
There are lots of useful tools on our website for exploring majors and career.  Start with Spotlight on Careers, and O*NET.  Brainstorm a list of people you know who are connected to the fields you are exploring.  Ask to do an informational interview with them to gather more information.  Join LinkedIn and become a member Bates College Alumni & Friends Group to access more alumni profiles and make connections.  Schedule an appointment to talk to a career counselor about other resources for exploring careers and connecting with alumni.

Action
Review the range of Bates majors and minors and narrow your list to a few possibilities.  Look at JobCat for internship and volunteering ideas.  Talk to faculty about getting involved in a research project.  Take a course with a Field Experience component.  Develop a resume.  Meet with a career counselor to transform your thoughts into action.

Call us at 207-786-6232 and we’ll help you get started!