K-Lene Kuhn
Staff Writer
Choosing a major while in college can be a highly stressful process for students, many who change degrees multiple times prior to graduation.
Picking a degree can be an important decision, meaning doing so early on may save students a lot of time, energy and money.
“I was in biomedical science. I was not interested in it,” said Haile Ward, a sophomore and music education major, “I would miss a lot of class.”
Ward has been playing the piano since she was five years old. She said she feels teaching is rewarding.
“I could not be happier,” Ward said, referring to her switch in major.
“Choosing [a major] should be a process,” said Susanne Forrest, an academic adviser with Central Academic Advising, “Ask ‘What are my goals? Who am I?’ Self-evaluate.”
Some students may not know how to navigate through the unfamiliar process of self-evaluation.
“Utilize your resources,” said Nancy Goodman, also of Central Academic Advising.
Both Forrest and Goodman said many resources are in place on and off campus to help guide students.
The Idaho State University Career Center is a great place to start, according to both Goodman and Forrest. Career counseling is a service covered under student tuition.
Both urged students to explore job shadowing opportunities.
Along with job shadowing, internships provide a good chance to expand one’s network.
Angie McGraw is an ISU student who is undecided on a major. She said she feels pressure coming from family and other sources pushing her to go into a specific field, but she is still unsure.
Currently, she is taking general education classes and thinks that she might follow in family footsteps and go into the medical field.
There were other factors involved in Christopher Rhoades’ decision as a freshman to declare as a music performance major, but the underlying forces were the words of Shandra Helman, an assistant professor in music at ISU’s School of Performing Arts.
“Do you see yourself going a day without music?” she asked him.
For Rhoades, the answer was an immediate no.
Engineering is what Rhoades’ family initially thought he would pursue, and, he said, some of his family still thinks he is attending school for it.
Jamie Burtosky, a music major, said that she was apprehensive in her choice to join the music program, even though she has, in her words, always been in music.
Soon after joining, she realized that she fit right in.
Both advisers understand that as time goes on, students can have changes of mindset, leading to a change in majors.
“Enjoy the randomness,” said Goodman. “Mid-career, [some] people’s degrees don’t match their job.”
Forrest added, “Enjoy the college experience.”
With the help of Central Academic Advising and numerous other resources on campus, students have a good opportunity to receive the help they need to make the right choice in selecting a major, all while enjoying their college years.
Students looking for internships or career opportunities can attend the Spring Career Fair, held in the Pond Student Union Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.
