Vocational discernment & life design

1. What do you enjoy learning?
2. Which academic activities tend to bring out your best work?
3. How do you most like to spend your free time?
4. What activities seem most rewarding to you?

Choosing a major based on your answers to these questions will likely lead to success and personal satisfaction in college and in your career — even if, in the long run, your career has no direct relation to your major.

1. Using the list of majors at SPU, cross off those that you know you would never want to choose.
2. Of those left, put an “x” by any that you might consider or are unclear about what they are.
3. Look up information about those that you that you are unclear about in the SPU majors list.
4. Narrow the list down to the top 3-5.

1. From the SPU major list, click on the Degree Requirements of each top major that interests you (e.g. Apparel Merchandising).
2. In a new tab, open this quarter’s undergraduate time schedule. Click on the current academic year, and your department of interest (e.g. Apparel Merchandising is in the Family and Consumer Sciences department). Click on the current quarter. Which classes in this major are running this quarter that you’re interested in, and could sit in on?
3. List classes you’d like to sit in on your top majors of interest, AND professors you’d like to meet with (more on this below). These may be professors teaching the classes, or professors you’ve heard recommended from friends.

#1. Request to sit in on a class:

#2. Request to meet with a professor

1. Before meeting with professors
   Create a list of questions in advance. What would help you decide if this major is right for you?
   Be sure to ask questions that lead to information you want to know.
   Don’t ask the professor about their job unless that is a career option you are exploring.
   Don’t ask about the class requirements or other information you already looked up online. 
   Sample questions:
   
   1. Why do you (professor) enjoy this subject?
   2. What interests and strengths do most students come to this major with? (share yours)
   3. What type of student will do well in this program?
   4. What types of internships to students pursue?
   5. What types of careers do graduates of this major head into?
   6. Do you have any advice on…?
   7. What could I do next to learn more?
2. During your conversation
   1. Greet, thank the professor for their time, tell them a bit about yourself (strengths and uncertainties).
   2. Ask questions that lead to information you want to know – from your prepared list.
   3. Ask if they would be willing to share the name and contact information of a current student and/or a recent alumni that you could talk to.
   4. Ask for a business card.
   5. Thank them again for their time.
   6. Send a thank-you note or email.
3. After the conversation, review what you learned:
   1. What were my thoughts before the interview?
   2. What new information had an impact on me?
   3. How will I use what I learned to direct my major and career direction?
   4. What are my next steps for further exploration?

After sitting in on classes and meeting with professors in several majors of interest, what’s next? Is more research needed? More conversations with faculty? Trying a class? Meeting with faculty advisor? Academic Counselor? Career Counselor? Doing a job shadow? Not sure? Reach out to the CCC! We’d love to help!