U NDECIDED M AJOR?

1. UNDECIDED MAJOR? You’re in luck! This interactive guide will point you in the right direction… Enter Here!

2. M A I N M E N U • Background and Fun Statistics • Tips to Get Started • Things to Consider • Lifestyles • Abilities • Interests • What’s Your Type… • What is a College Major Anyway? • How do I Choose A Major? • What are my Options? • Tips on Getting Started • When Should I Declare a Major? • Even Famous People Choose the Wrong Major!

3. Feel like the only person who can’t decide on a major? • Nationally, three out of four entering students express some uncertainty about their choice of major, while between one and two-thirds change majors. • Recent studies suggest that it is typical for undergraduates to try out four or five majors before arriving at a decision. So if you haven't chosen a major or are uncomfortable with the one you have chosen, you're in good company.(University of Minnesota: CDC) Return to Main Menu Next Page

4. What Is a College Major? You're required to major in a specific academic subject (or professional field) to demonstrate sustained, high-level work in one field. Depending on the college, you might be able to major in two fields, have a major and a minor, or even create your own major. (www.collegeboard.com)

5. Major misconceptions! • The best way to find out about majors is to take courses. • I’ll just get my Gen. Eds. out of the way first. • Picking a major and a career are the same thing • Choosing one major means giving up all the others. • The major I pick now will determine my lifelong career. (Courtesy Penn State University) • NO TEST can tell you what to pick! Ultimately the decision is yours.

6. How Do I Choose?First and second-year students usually take more general courses while they try to decide on a major. After this initial "shopping" period, coursework becomes more focused and specific. Make sure that you have genuine interest though. You don't want to choose a major by process of elimination -- that could take a while.Take courses in areas that appeal to you, then try to focus on a subject that will interest and motivate you. You'll do better, and your motivation will continue through college and into a job.(www.collegeboard.com)

7. The Truth is… • A common myth about an academic major is that it ties you to a specific career path. The reality is that a bachelor's degree can prepare you for many career paths. • In fact, research indicates only about 50% of college graduates report a close relationship between their major and their job. (University of Minnesota: CDC) Return to Main Menu Next Page

8. What Are My Options? • Some majors strongly correlate to career options, while others are less directly related. For example, a Nursing major will most likely become a Nurse. However, a Psychology major may become a teacher, case worker, detective or an insurance claims agent, to name a few! • Degree options at JJC include: Transfer DegreesAA = Associate in ArtsAS = Associate in Science Career and Technical Degrees and CertificatesAAS = Associate in Applied ScienceCAC = Certificate of AchievementCCO = Certificate of Completion Return to Main Menu Next Page

9. I need some help getting started choosing a major. Do you have any tips to get me started? • Examine what you value in work e.g. helping society, working under pressure, group affiliation, etc. • Think about the courses you've done well in and enjoyed before. 3. Explore your options. Investigate the instructors and courses. Talk to students who have a major and ask them what they like/dislike about their subject or classes. 4. Explore internship opportunities to get a feel for the kinds of jobs you could get with different majors. CONTINUE TO NEXT SECTION

10. 5. Consult your academic advisor and/or JJC catalog to consider the prerequisite requirements for majors. Consider whether you would be willing to spend the necessary time and money.  6.  Look at the different fields to which your major can be applied. 7.  Think about the growth of the field that interests you. Is the field expanding? Are graduates with your major being hired right out of college, or do they need additional training?  8.  Contemplate the earning potential and base salary of jobs that are related to certain majors. Think of the lifestyle you would like to maintain and how certain salaries may affect it. (University of Minnesota: CDC)

11. When Should I Declare a Major? At most colleges, you aren't required to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. If you're in a two-year degree program, you'll probably select a major at the start because your course of studies is much shorter. Declaring a major does not commit you forever.

12. Let’s Start the Interactive Portion… • What things should I consider when choosing a major? • Click here if you need help!I don’t know where to start.[advance to next slide] • Click here if you have it under control. [advance to slide #11] Return to Main Menu

13. Things to consider… • Lifestyles [hyperlink LIFESTYLES to slide #9] • Abilities [hyperlink ABILITES to slide #10] • Interests [hyperlink INTERESTS to slide #11] Return to Main Menu

14. LIFESTYLE Most lives can be divided into a triangle. Time and energy spent in activities on one side of the triangle affects the time and energy left over for the others. Think about your life. What are your obligations and responsibilities? Are you in a relationship? Do you live on or off campus? How much time do you spend with your family and friends? How much time do you spend working and studying? Different majors will have different impacts on your lifestyle balance. Think of the time and energy needed to succeed in a particular major. What effect would this have upon the shape of your lifestyle triangle? Please take some time to write down your personal observations regarding these questions. If you have to get away from your computer to do this, do so. In order for the response provided by this questionnaire further down this page to be helpful you will need to provide accurate information about lifestyle goals. (University of Minnesota: CDC) • CLICK HERE to return to Things To Consider. [make this a hyperlink back to page 8] • CLICK HERE to move on to What’s Your Type. [hyperlink to page 11]

15. ABILITIES Consider your academic performance and life experiences. What experiences? What are your strengths? Your college admission test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT) are a good source of information. The verbal scores relate to liberal arts electives, and the math scores relate to math and science electives. Check your transcripts. Review your previous experiences and write down both courses and activities where you enjoyed some success. (University of Minnesota: CDC) • CLICK HERE to return to Things To Consider. [make this a hyperlink back to page 8] • CLICK HERE to move on to What’s Your Type. [hyperlink to page 11]

16. INTERESTS Would you enjoy the subject matter, activities and people involved in a field? What you've enjoyed in life up to this point is a good indication of what you'll like in a major. Your academic record and personal experience give important clues about possible directions. Please take the time to write down courses and activities you are interested in and enjoy. Now compare this list with the one you compiled under the abilities section and notice the common areas. Make another list of these common areas and use it to help you fill out the questionnaire below. (University of Minnesota: CDC) CLICK HERE to return to Things To Consider. [make this a hyperlink back to page 7] CLICK HERE to move on to What’s Your Type. [hyperlink to page 12]

17. What’s Your Type? Are you… • Realistic • Social • Investigative • Enterprising • Artistic • Conventional • To explore your type CLICK ON IT above to learn more. • I have no idea what type I am!CLICK HERE • Not the information I’m looking for. CLICK HERE • Moving on… CLICK HERE

18. Good Choice! Explore your type… • If you would like to learn more about your personality and how it can help determine your career path here are a few suggestions! • SIGI Plus can assist currently enrolled students in determining your career path: http://www.jjc.edu/Careers/StudentsAlumni/SigiPlus.htm • Career Key can help you determine your career personality type: http://www.careerkey.org/english/ • Career Services at Joliet Junior College. A career counselor can help you understand aspects of your personality and how it relates to occupational choices as well as choosing a major. Call to make an appointment, (815) 280-2756 or stop by the Student Center, D-1010 (across from the Cyber Café). Return to What’s Your Type Return to Main Menu

19. AREALISTICFuture at Joliet Junior College Can You: • Solve mechanical problems? • Read a blueprint? • Assemble pieces of equipment or machinery? Are You: • Practical? • Hands-on oriented? • Persistent? • Physically coordinated? Do You Like To: • Build or fix things? • Work with tools? • Work outdoors? • Be physically active? • Figure out how things work? • Learn by doing? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the REALISTIC Oriented CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the REALISTIC Oriented

20. Programs at JJC for the REALISTIC Oriented Realistic Oriented Career/Vocational Programs at JJC • Agriculture • Automotive • Computer Aided Design • Construction Technology • Culinary Arts • Electrical/Electronics Automated Systems • EMT/Paramedic • Veterinary Medical Technology • Fire Science • Horticulture • Industrial Maintenance Technology • Precision Machine Technology • Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heating • Welding • Massage Therapy What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

21. Programs at JJC for the REALISTIC Oriented Realistic Oriented Transfer Programs at JJC • Animal Science • Fish and Wildlife • Forestry • Horticulture • Industrial Technology • Plant and Soil Science

22. Representative Career Opportunities in the REALISTIC Area • Auto Mechanic • Aviation Mechanic • Chef • Construction laborer/superintendent • Electrician/Electronics Technician • Emergency Medical technician • Farmer • Fire Fighter • Forest Ranger • Groundskeeper • Landscaper • Paramedic • Precision Machinist • Radiology Technologist • Welder CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Realistic Area • Automotive Service Association • Association of Criminal Justice Students • Architecture and Construction • Epicurean Club • Instrument Society of America • Manufacturing Club • Sports/Sports related clubs • Student Agricultural Association • Student Horticultural Association Click here to return to What’s Your Type

23. An INVESTIGATIVE Future at Joliet Junior College Can You: • Concentrate on a problem until a solution is reached? • Follow scientific procedures? • Solve problems in a methodical manner? Are You: • Analytical? • Creative? • Curious? • Independent? • Precise? Do You Like To: • Observe and analyze? • Solve complex problems? • Study math/and or science? • Work with laboratory equipment? • Think problems through before taking action? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the INVESTIGATIVE Type CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the INVESTIGATIVE Type

24. Programs at JJC for the INVESTIGATIVE Type Investigative Related Career/Vocational Programs at JJC • Agriculture • Computer Information Systems- Networking • Electronics Engineering Technology • Computer Information Systems- Programming • Veterinary Medical Technology What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

25. Programs at JJC for the INVESTIGATIVE Type Investigative Transfer Programs at JJC • Agriculture • Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science • Dietetics • Engineering • Mathematics • Meteorology • Nursing • Professional programs- dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine

26. Representative Career Opportunities in the INVESTIGATIVE Area • Actuary • Biologist • Chemist • Computer Programmer • Dentist • Dietician • Engineer • Geologist • Medical technologist • Meteorologist • Microbiologist • Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner • Pathologist • Physician • Psychiatrist • Soil Scientist • Statistician • Systems Analyst • Zoologist CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Investigative Area • Instrument Society of America • Nursing Student Association • Life Sciences • Student Agricultural Association • Student Horticultural Association • Vet Tech Club

27. An ARTISTIC Future at Joliet Junior College Are You: • Creative? • Imaginative • Innovative? • Individualistic? • Sensitive? • Independent? Can You: • Draw, paint, or write? • Sing or play an instrument? • Dance or act? • Design or create interiors, fashions, recipes, landscapes, and floral arrangements? Do You Like To: • Attend concerts, plays, art exhibits, museums? • Read books, plays, poetry, or literature? • Act, announce, dance, draw, design, direct, write or express yourself creatively in other ways? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the ARTISTIC Type CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the ARTISTIC Type

28. Programs at JJC for the ARTISTIC Type Artistic Related Career/Vocational Programs at JJC • Culinary Arts • Fashion Merchandising • Interior Design • Floral Design • Landscaping What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

29. Programs at JJC for the ARTISTIC Type Artistic Type Transfer Programs at JJC • Advertising • Architecture • Art • Communications • English • Foreign Languages • Graphic Design • Interior design • Journalism • Music • Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising • Theatre Arts

30. Representative Career Opportunities in the ARTISTIC Area CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Investigative Area • Alpha Mu Gamma (Language achievement) • Art Alliance • Blazer and Wordeater • Delta Psi Omega (Drama/theatre honor society) • Epicurean Club • F.L.I.C. (Foreign Language Intercultural Club) • Phi Rho Pi • Jazz Band and Community Band • J.C. Players • JJC Chorale • Madrigals • Interior Design Club • Role Playing Club • Clay Club • Architecture and Construction • Acting • Advertising specialist • Architect • Artist--commercial or fine arts • Cartographer • Cartoonist • Editor or editorial assistant • Fashion buyer or designer • Graphic artist • Interior designer • Journalist/reporter • Landscape Architect • Language interpreter/translator • Librarian • Medical Illustrator • Merchandise display artist/window design • Musician • Photographer • Teacher (art, drama, English, music, speech) • Writer (commercial, novelist, script, technical)

31. A SOCIAL Future at Joliet Junior College Can You: • Teach or train others? • Express yourself clearly? • Work cooperatively in teams? • Lead a group discussion? • Get along well with many different types of people? Are You: • Friendly/helpful? • Idealistic? • Generous? • Humanistic? • Idealistic? • Responsible? Do You: • Help people with their problems? • Learn or work in groups? • Volunteer your services? • Take action to accomplish a goal? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the SOCIAL Type CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the SOCIAL Type

32. Programs at JJC for the SOCIAL Type Socially Oriented Career/Vocational Programs at JJC • Child Development • Criminal Justice • Fire Science • Hotel/Restaurant Management • Massage Therapy • Nursing Assistant • Law Enforcement • Licensed Practical Nurse • Registered Nurse • Teacher Assistant • Veterinary Medical Technology What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

33. Programs at JJC for the SOCIAL Type Socially Oriented Transfer Programs at JJC • Counseling • Criminal Justice • Dietician/Nutritionist • Elementary Education • Physical Education • Psychology • Pre-Medicine, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy • Recreation • Social Work • Secondary Education • Special Education

34. Representative Career Opportunities in the Social Area CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Social Area • All student clubs and organizations • Athletic programs • Ambassadors Club • Student Government • Student Representative on college committees • Student Worker programs • Athletic Trainer or Fitness Instructor • Caseworker • Child Care Provider • Coach • Counselor • Detective • Dietitian, Clinical • Flight Attendant • Hair Stylist • Health Officer • Human Resources Specialist • Insurance Claims Agent • Law Enforcement Officer • Librarian • Loan Officer • Minister • Nurse • Occupational Therapist • Passenger Service Representative • Physician • Physical Therapist • Psychologist • Real Estate Appraiser • Recreation Leader • Social Worker • Speech Pathologist • Teacher • Travel Agent

35. A ENTERPRISING Future at Joliet Junior College Can You: • Give a speech? • Plan a project, program, or event? • Sell a product or service? • Promote an idea? • Persuade others to your point of view? Are You: • Ambitious? • Energetic? • Optimistic? • Persuasive? • Self-confident? • Sociable? Do You Like To: • Lead or direct others? • Make decisions affecting others? • Negotiate terms/conditions? • Influence others? • “Brainstorm” ideas? • Start your own business? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the ENTERPRISING Type CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the ENTERPRISING Type

36. Programs at JJC for the ENTERPRISING Type Enterprising Related Career/Vocational at JJC • Culinary Arts • Fashion Merchandising • Hospitality • Human Resources • Marketing Management • Real Estate • Supervision • Massage Therapy What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

37. Programs at JJC for the ENTERPRISING Type Enterprising Oriented Transfer Programs at JJC • Business-accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, entrepreneurship • Communications • Criminal Justice Administration • Health Care administration • Mortuary Science • Political science • Pre-law preparation • Urban Planning

38. Representative Career Opportunities in the ENTERPRISING Area • Advertising executive • Banker • Business agent • City Planner • Contractor • Education and Training Manager • Employee Relations Director • Executive Recruiter • Financial Planner • Food Services Director • Funeral Director • Hotel/Motel Manager • Human Resources • Insurance agent/underwriter • Labor Relations Specialist • Lawyer • Lobbyist • Media Director/Specialist • Politician • President/CEO (any industry) • Purchasing Agent • Sales Manager • Special Events Planner • Stockbroker • Travel Agent • Wholesaler CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Social Area • Forensics Team • Leadership role in any student club • American Freedom Organization • Student Alliance • Student Trustee to the JJC Board of Trustees

39. A CONVENTIONAL Future at Joliet Junior College Can You: • Organize and keep accurate records? • Use a computer system? • Perform routine, detailed work? • Process data? Are You: • Accurate? • Dependable? • Efficient? • Orderly and systematic? • Organized? • Persistent? Do You Like To: • Work with numbers? • Pay attention to details? • Study accounting, computer science, and office systems? • Work in a job with clearly defined duties? CLICK HERE: For a list of Career/Vocational & Transfer Programs at JJC for the CONVENTIONAL Type CLICK HERE: For a list of representative career opportunities for the CONVENTIONAL Type

40. Programs at JJC for the CONVENTIONAL Type Conventional Related Career/Vocational at JJC • Accounting • CIS-Microcomputers for Business • Desktop Publishing • Legal Administrative Assistant • Medical Administrative Assistant • Retail Business Management • Word/Information Processing What Are My Options in a Transfer Program at JJC?

41. Programs at JJC for the CONVENTIONAL Type Conventional Oriented Transfer Programs at JJC • Accounting • Business Administration • Business Education • CIS-Management Information Systems • Health Administration • Library Science

42. Representative Career Opportunities in the CONVENTIONAL Area • Accounting clerk • Administrative Assistant • Bank teller • Business Education teacher • Cashier • Computer Operator • Court Reporter • Credit Analyst • Desktop publishing equipment operator • Editorial assistant • Insurance clerk • Library assistant • Medical records clerk • Paralegal • Purchasing agent • Real estate clerk • Secretary/receptionist CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and Organizations Related to the Social Area • Any student club or organization • Student work-study programs

43. Should I choose a major based on a career that is in demand? • No! The job market, like everything else, is cyclical. A career that appears to be in demand or trendy now could be saturated by the time you graduate. • There are many factors that help change market demand, such as large numbers of students entering the field or changing economic patterns. • Be true to yourself. Choose a major that genuinely interests you.

44. Even Famous People Chose Majors That Are Not Related to Their Current Job! Return to Main Menu More Famous People…

45. …and here are a few more. Return to Main Menu

46. Have You Considered Taking a Course to Help You Explore Your Career Options? • GSD 110 (General Student Development: Career/Life Style Planning) • What is this course about?It is a systematic approach to the process of career and life-style planning. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore their values, interests, skills and experiences as they relate to occupational and life-style choices. Students will research potential careers through traditional and on-line methods. Labor market information, decision making strategies and goal-setting are used to develop an individual career action plan. • This class does transfer to other colleges and universities and does not have any prerequisites. Return to Main Menu

47. We hoped this helped! If you still require any advice on choosing your major, feel free to stop by the Student Services Center in D1010 on the Main Campus. We would be happy to talk with you! Career Services Tele. No. (815) 280-2756 http://www.jjc.edu/Careers Multicultural Transfer Center Tele. No. (815) 280-2537 http://www.jjc.edu/TransferCenter A list of academic advisors can be found in the Student Handbook.

48. RESOURCES