Did you know that about

20%-50% of incoming

G EO RG I A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
UNIVERSI T Y ADVISEMENT
CENTER

CHOOSING MY
MAJOR

freshman nationally enter

college with an undeclared
major?
Finding the right major and
career path is often a
daunting task for many
students. You are not alone
on this journey.
The decision making process
requires time and
commitment.
We encourage students to
utilize resources at GSU and
to follow this three step
process.

You cant just sit there

and wait for people to give
you that golden dream,
youve got to get there and
make it happen for
yourself
Diana Ross
UNIVERSITY ADVISEMENT
CENTER
25 PARK PLACE
SUITE 1300
ATLANTA, GA 30303

NAVIGATING THROUGH
INDECISION
RESOURCES FOR THE
UNDECIDED STUDENT

E X P L O R AT O R Y S T U D E N T S @ G S U

GSU RESOURCES
Advisement
http://advisement.gsu.edu/selfservice/academic-guides/

SELF-REFLECTION

http://career.gsu.edu/counseling/self-

This is the first phase of the exploratory process

where you try to understand your own strengths,
weaknesses, values, interests and personality..
Take the three personality assessments GSU
provides and schedule an appointment with your
advisor.

assessments/

PROG RA M EXPLORATIO N

Career Center

Once you have a better understanding of your self

http://career.gsu.edu/2015/10/01/

Match your personality traits to programs at GSU,

get-the-app-georgia-state-careerfair/

its time to explore what major options GSU offers.

utilize major maps to look through programs of

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgiwin/jtypes2.asp
http://cas.gsu.edu/major-maps/
http://www.gsu.edu/degrees-andmajors/

interest and make a second appointment with your

advisor

http://career.gsu.edu/home-2/
panther-career-net/
Student Organizations
http://service.gsu.edu/
http://gsu.orgsync.com/

C AREER EXPLORATION
Once you decide on 2-3 programs of interest you
will need to research career options with those
majors and scope of future employment. Consider
shadowing, interning or interviewing prospective
employers. Make a third appointment with your
advisor.

http://www.onetonline.org/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
http://career.gsu.edu/explorecareer-options/

Exploratory Worksheet 1

Self-Reflection

Next Appointment Date:

Name:
1. In general what & who influences your decision making process?

2. List some skills/strengths you feel you possess?

3. What subjects/classes do you tend to excel in?

4. What typically hinders your decision making process (for example fear, anxiety, pressure)

5. What type of clubs/organizations are you interested in joining?

6. When you think of past experiences with jobs, extracurricular activities or community service, what did
you enjoy the most or disliked the most?

7. What areas of study do you find the most challenging?

*COMPLETE THE 3 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS THAT THE GSU CAREER CENTER OFFERS*

Exploratory Worksheet 2

Program Exploration

Next Appointment Date:

Name:
*Explore major maps and take a detailed look at all the majors that GSU offers
CIRCLE 5-6 PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN RELATE TO & MAY WANT TO PURSUE

J Mack Robinson College of

Business

Byrdine F Lewis School of

Nursing & Health Sciences

*Accounting

*Clinical Health Informatics

* Actuarial Science

* Nursing

* Business Economics

* Nutrition

* Computer Information Systems

* Respiratory Therapy

* Finance

* Physical Therapy

College of Education & Human Development

* Birth Through Five * Exercise Sciences
* Early Childhood & Elementary Education
* Health & Physical Education * Human Learning & Development
* Middle & Secondary School Education * Special Education

* Hospitality Administration
* Managerial Science
* Marketing
* Real Estate
* Risk Management & Insurance

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

* Criminal Justice * Economics * International Economics & Modern Languages
* Planning & Economic Development * Public Administration * Public Policy * Social Work

College of Arts & Sciences

* African American Studies * Anthropology * Applied Linguistics * Art * Art Education * Art History * Art Administration * Asian Studies
* Biology * Chemistry * Classical Studies * Communication * Computer Science * Creative Writing * English * Environmental Science *
* Film & Video * French * Game Design & Development * Geoscience * German * History * Interdisciplinary Studies * International Studies
* Italian Studies * Journalism * Law & Society * Mathematics * Media Entrepreneurship * Middle East Studies * Music * Music Management
* Neuroscience * Philosophy * Physics * Political Science * Psychology * Religious Studies * Sociology * Spanish * Speech * Studio Art * Theater *
* Womens Gender & Sexuality Studies

* ASK THESE QUESTIONS WHEN EXPLORING MAJORS *

1. How would you describe this major or field of study?

2. Does the department have pre-requisites or entry requirements?

3. What kind or skills and abilities are required when pursuing this field of study?

4. Will this field of study require a higher level of education?

Exploratory Worksheet 3

Career Exploration

Next Appointment Date:

Name:
1. Narrow your search & choose your top 3 majors
1.
2.
3.

2. What is the job outlook and career growth in your fields of interest?

3. What is the average salary?

4. What are the most important qualities of a job/career to you (ex: salary, creativity, autonomy)

Before making your final decision take these exploratory steps

* Discuss you choices with a career counselor
* Contact a professional in your field of interest and conduct a professional interview
* Attend one of the many career fairs at GSU
* Shadow a professional in your field of study

MAKING A DECISION
Are you ready to make a decision?
YES I AM! What is your decision?

NO I AM NOT! Why not?