With hundreds of bachelor’s degrees out there to choose from — ASU Online alone offers more than 175 — deciding on a major may seem overwhelming. But we have lots of great resources to help you choose the right program for you. Read on for advice from our academic advisors and more as we help guide you through this important process.
Consider your current interests and favorite subjects
When choosing your major, it’s important to do a little soul searching. School is an investment of time, effort and money, and it helps to study something that you’re passionate about.
- What do you enjoy learning about in your free time through books, podcasts or social media?
- Are there specific topics that really ignite your imagination?
- When was the last time you learned something that you immediately wanted to tell others?
- Are there causes that you dedicate time or money to supporting?
Making a list of your interests, values and goals are an important first step in choosing a major.
Veronica Barrera, an academic success advisor for ASU Online, recommends actively seeking out listings for your dream job. “When my students are unsure about what to major in, I always recommend taking a look at what career(s) they might want and to take a look at current job postings,” she said. “It sounds strange to start looking at job postings when you don't even have a degree yet, but a job posting can be like a roadmap to your dream job! Job postings tell you all the important information such as what degree you need, how much experience you need, what niche experience or education would be helpful and what the expectations are. Future you will thank you for looking ahead!”
If you’re not sure where to start, look at career postings for companies you would like to work for. Going to the hiring websites for Pixar, Google, Apple or other high-profile companies can give you a good idea of what skills you need to achieve your dream career.
ASU Online offers other resources to help students. “I always recommend my students create a Handshake account and lean on the career services team for help,” said Berrara. “I recommend students check out the career exploration tools available through career services for additional resources on helping to choose a major or unsure if they need a minor.”