Undecided on Your Major?

TMCC General Image

TMCC offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. With so many options, it may be difficult to decide on one degree or certificate. It is important to realize that it is okay to be undecided. However, there are benefits of deciding your program of study early. The benefits include knowing what courses are required for your program and graduating sooner so you can get out into your career or transfer to a university.

When you are undecided, it is good to explore different majors and careers. Academic advisors are here to help you with the major exploration process. No matter where you are at in the major exploration process, we have resources that can help guide you in making that major decision.

Major Exploration

Once you have a stronger sense of self-awareness, it is time to explore degrees and certificates to see what areas may be a good match for you. The following tools and websites are helpful resources available to you:

Many of our academic advisors are MBTI® and Strong Interest Inventory® certified practitioners and can offer you guidance to begin the exploration process. Once you have decided on a major, you will need to complete a Degree/Emphasis Change form through the Admissions and Records Office.

To review your options with an Academic advisor, contact us to schedule an individual advising appointment for major exploration. TMCC's Counseling Center is available for career exploration.

Explore Beyond the Major

Explore how your major translates into a real-world application by going beyond the major. Once you have decided on a major, you need to continue exploring, especially when determining how a major applies to employment opportunities. For example, do the career fields associated with your major require you to:

  • Continue your education beyond TMCC?
  • Obtain licensure or certification?
  • Complete professional or graduate school?
  • Obtain a specified number of internship and/or volunteer hours?

TMCC Students

Take Action

As you continue exploring, it is also important that you take action with your decision and identify a plan that will allow you to explore potential employment opportunities aligned with your chosen major. Develop an action plan and write out your action steps with specific goals and target dates for meeting those goals to continue your journey beyond selecting your major. Consider the following action steps to begin tying your major into your personal and career goals.

Connect with faculty. Faculty members teach the courses associated with your major because they are considered experts in their fields. Take advantage of their expertise and ensure you are meeting with faculty members. Aside from teaching, many of them have current and/or prior work experience in occupational fields that may be of interest to you. Connecting with faculty members will not only give you direct insight into potential careers you are considering, but these connections can also lead to networking opportunities with potential employers.

Shadow, volunteer and intern. Actively being involved in your major and career interests allows you to determine whether or not the path you are considering is what you expected. The knowledge you gain in your major is only the first step. Thorough understanding of what actually occurs in the industries you are considering happens on the job. To achieve first-hand exposure to these on the job concepts, you need to take action and get involved by volunteering your time. Again, connect with your faculty members as they can help you network so that you can increase your opportunities to shadow employers.

Visit the Career Center. The Career Center offers various job preparation resources that will help you bridge the connection between what you are learning in your major to career opportunities. The Career Center also houses TMCC’s Internship Program. Many TMCC majors require internship and work experience courses. If your major requires internship or work experience, connect with the Internship Program to learn more about how to apply your educational experiences to real-world application.

Exploration Resources

Choosing a major does not limit you to a single career option. Most majors offer you the education necessary to enter a variety of careers. When exploring majors and programs consider the following questions, these may help you decide on a major:

  • What classes have you most enjoyed so far?
  • What extracurricular activities do you enjoy? What do you learn about yourself from taking part in these activities?
  • Looking back to past achievements and accomplishments, what are some skills that you used or gained? Can you take these skills and apply them to the majors and programs you are looking into?

Our Academic Division websites may help connect to different majors, department news and events, to help you get to know our programs better.

Remember, no one can tell you what to major in. Only you can make that decision. Academic advisors can help guide you in your journey, but you are the leader in this exploration process. We are here to support you every step of the way.