Choosing Your Major

Choosing a major is a big decision. We asked students to fill out a survey on why they chose their major along with any advice they have for other students. Stay tuned for the results and some extra information to help you on your path to deciding on your major.

Survey Results and Statistics

• Why did you choose your major(s)?
• Out of all respondents, the top three reasons were interests/passion, abilities/talents, and career prospects. Other reasons include things such as grad school requirements, potential earning power, scholarships offered, etc.
• What do you like about your major(s)?
• The most common answers were interesting content, faculty, transferable skills (i.e. teamwork, communication, etc.), and research/internship opportunities.
• What do you want to do after college?
• The top three answers were apply for jobs, go to graduate school, and volunteer or work abroad. Consider how your future plans align with your potential major(s).
• Reflecting on all of these questions with yourself or with others can help you decide if your potential major(s) is/are a good fit for you!

Wondering how many Coe students haven't officially declared their major yet?

- 4% of seniors

- 17.6% of juniors

- 40.7% of sophomores

- 72.9% of freshman

Additionally, 30.8% of the undeclared seniors and 37.2% of undeclared juniors don't have an advisor in their predicted major. Keep reading for more advice and resources to help you declare!

Advice

Psychology:

• "Talk to faculty, ask for help, make those connections." - Lirio Romero, senior
• "Paying attention in class goes a very long way."- Kelli Nelson, sophomore
• "Do your readings! I promise they're not too bad." - Emily Alyssa Velasquez, sophomore 
• "Don't do it for the money, don't burn yourself out. Look at all your options because there are many occupations and don't feel pressured to know right now!" - Janessa Marshall, sophomore

African American Studies:

• "Be ready to have a great [time] in class and do great things. Also, a lot of late nights." - Daion Epps, Junior

Creative Writing:

• "Pace your major requirements if you like writing like I do. Otherwise you end up with 4 reading intensive gen eds." - Jay Denning, sophomore

Music:

• "Use help from your peers!" - Kathryn Kidd, freshman

Biology and Business Administration: 

• "After some time in Cedar Rapids, I realized there were more opportunities than I originally thought. I was originally a pre-med student" and "For any area, ask for help when you need it. All the professors are willing to help when they can." - Danielle Rowe, sophomore

Accounting and International Business:

• "Accounting will always be hard, but if you choose it because you like it, it will feel better and easier." - Maggie Nansamba, sophomore

Communication Studies:

• "Stay curious and don't be afraid to take up extracurricular activities that are related to your major! I write for The Cosmos and it has been invaluable in honing my writing and communication skills. Also, take advantage of the wonderful professors in the department! they are more than willing to help students." - Jeana Quinlan, junior

Elementary Education:

• "Be goofy" - Cassi Vroman, sophomore

Nursing:

• "Study a lot and reach out to faculty." - Myah Carmona, freshman
• "Volunteer in your freshman year before you choose if this is the right major for you." - Katie Washington, sophomore

Social & Criminal Justice and Creative Writing:

• "Focus on you and school, make sure you have good intentions behind your career you want to pursue. Hatefulness isn't needed here. There's too much of it. Make a change to make the world a better place." - Mal Day, freshman

Chemistry and Biochemistry:

• "Be ambitious and dedicated" - Gavin Baugh, sophomore

Biology and Psychology:

• "Stick with it, it can be difficult at times but it will be worth it in the end." - Alayna Noel, sophomore

Resources

- Want more insight into possible majors and/or careers that could be a good fit for you? TyepFocus7 is an interest, values, personality, and talents assessment tool that is free for Coe students. It provides insight into your personality type, work values, and interests. Follow this link for starting your assessment!

- Remember you can always talk to your advisor(s), Learning Commons staff, and/or C3 about potential major(s). If you're still exploring, that's okay! But once you do know, declaring your major and changing your advisor to someone in your department can provide access to networking opportunities, insider knowledge about the industry, C3 guidance for appropriate internships, and a clear pathway for practicum requirements. 

If you're decided, follow the directions on this document to declare your major(s) on myCoe!