Searching For a College Major: #3 Meet With A Counselor

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Did You Know? Whether you are buying a pair of jeans, selecting the right cell phone plan, or choosing a career path, making choices has become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming number of choices. Professor Barry Schwartz, in his book, Paradox of Choice, contends that too many choices are more harmful than helpful. Schwartz believes that if we narrow our choices we can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. Watch and listen to a few minutes of Professor Schwartz and his compelling argument that the most important thing to consider in making a decision is what makes us happy and what gives meaning in our lives. Your college counselor can help you focus and make important educational and career choices. An academic counselor or advisor can:
  • Help you make decisions about your educational goals based on your academic qualifications.
  • Help you choose courses and sequence to meet your major demands.
  • Help you develop a realistic educational plan to achieve your goals.
Certificate or Degree?
In the California Community College system, you can earn a Career or Vocational Certificate, an Associate in Arts degree or you can complete your general education requirements and transfer to a college or university to earn a Bachelor’s Degree.

Career or Vocational Certificate
  • Short term: six months to a year
  • Focused on a particular area like health care, business or computer
Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree
  • A degree that requires 60 college credits, about two years of study.
  • You take classes in a specific field of interest as well as some general education courses.
  • You can take courses that count for both an Associate Degree and toward transferring to a four-year school.
Transfer to College or University
  • You will take a minimum of 60 units of general education and pre-major requirements in order to transfer to a four-year school.
  • You then transfer to a four-year college.
  • Many students continue their education in the University of California system, while others go to the California State University system.
Exercise to Narrow Your Choices
Go to CollegeRecruiter.Com. Watch the short videos in areas of study that interest you. List your top 3 to 5 top choices.
If you prefer, look at the Major Resource Kit List to identify what majors or careers interest you.

Make an Appointment with Your Academic Counselor/Academic Advisor
Questions to ask during your appointment:
  • What preparatory courses are required for a major in ___________?
  • What colleges or universities offer this major?
  • What is the minimum grade point average for acceptance into this major?
  • How many course credits in the major are required for graduation?
People must be decided on what they will not do, and then they are able to act with vigor in what they will do. Mencius