Resources

Major Discernment

The process of selecting a major can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Fortunately, Loyola has resources for helping you through the major and career discernment process (a.k.a determining the path or paths that connect your values to your vision for your future). We invite you to explore some frequently asked questions below, and encourage you to continue your discernment process by scheduling an appointment with your academic advisor or a career advisor. Please feel welcome, as always, to visit us virtually during Express Advising hours offered by the Office of First and Second Year Advising and the Career Development Center.

The Career Development Center offers a variety of resources for selecting your major. These range from conversation with Career Advisors, workshops and classes for exploring career interests, and resources for connecting majors to careers. The CDC also created this presentation for Major Discernment

Talk to your academic advisor about the logistics of choosing a major and planning toward graduation.

To add/change/drop your major(s) or minor(s), please log into LOCUS and select "Change Major/Minor" within your Academics tab in your Student Center. View instructions.

What Can I Do With This Major? - Most majors do not provide a direct path to a career, so this resource can help you generate ideas and think outside the boundary of what you already know about majors and careers. You can reach this site using the link in the Career Tools box at the lower right of the CDC homepage.

The Center for Experiential Learning (CEL): CEL offers service learning experiences and academic internships that can help you bring the knowledge gained from your major into the community to help assist you in deciding on what career path you may want to choose after you graduate.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles information on occupations in the US including salary, demand, location, skills and education necessary, and how to pursue that occupation.

O*NET: The US Department of Labor compiles information on the skill sets and day-to-day activities of different occupations as well as what qualifications you need in order to gain employment in those occupations on O*NET.

Resources

Major Discernment

What is a major?

What is a minor?

Do I have to have a major and/or minor?

Can I earn multiple majors and/or minors?

How do I choose a major?

What can I do with my major?

Major Discernment