If your student has difficulty choosing a major or minor, don't worry. Your student's major/minor probably will change a few times before he or she settles on a final choice. In fact, "college academic advisers report that 75 percent of students change their major after they enter college."¹ It is cheaper and easier for everyone involved if your student picks a final discipline within the first two years, but sometimes this is difficult for students. While it is okay for your student to be uncertain about picking a major or minor, it is not okay to put off thinking about the future until just before graduation. 

Talk to your student about what he or she wishes for the future to be. This will help start the process of thinking about possible career paths.

Have your student talk to people in the field that interests him or her. A professor or another professional can help clarify information concerning the field.

Promote involvement in leadership and student organization activities, both on and off campus. Activities play a critical role in learning whether or not a major is suitable.

Be patient; your student has many choices to sort through and that takes time.

To help this process, our Career Center offers many options:

IDS 120 Approaches to Career Life Planning: A course designed to help explore interests and skills and match them to majors and professions. This course also educates students on the world of work, decision making, and how to prepare for the job-search process.

Career Shadowing: Students visit worksites where they observe and ask questions.

Career Assessments: Inventories designed to identify personal interests, skills, and values.

Career Counselors: Staff members who are always willing to provide information and suggest new paths based upon assessment results.

Encourage your student to explore the Career Center's website and to make an appointment with a career counselor.

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 ¹source: http://planyourpath.eyeoneducation.tv/beyond_high_school/college/considerations