What should I study?

Answering this question leads you to one of the most important academic choices you make as a student. For some, it is an easy decision because they are clear about their interests, abilities and career goals. It may be difficult if you have a wide variety of interests and want to include everything, or it may be difficult because you have not given much thought to what to study or career goals. In either case you are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Career Services, 970-247-7562.

Interests 

Your interests are one of the areas to consider when choosing your major and/or minor. It is extremely helpful to enjoy your classes. This increases your motivation and usually follows some talent or skill you have, which allows you to do well. If you have multiple interests, you may want to schedule an appointment with Career Services, 970-247-7562, to discuss how you can incorporate at least some of the interests into your studies.

Values

The coursework you select comes with a cultural set of values.  For example, Socialists value people.  English students often value expressing themselves well.  Business students may value free enterprise.  When selecting a major, talk with faculty and other students to discover what is important to them and why they have chosen that major.

Skills

Each of us has areas of skills about which we feel good.  Some students are excellent writers, others are great with numbers, and still others are good with people.  It is helpful to identify the skills that are natural to you.  This may help you in selecting a major.  After all, it is more interesting and easier to study something that you know you like and in which you will do well.

What Can I Do With a Major in . . . . .?

With the above link, you can choose a major to see what types of careers students have gone into from that major.  The list of careers is meant to give you some general idea of career choices.  It is important to note that you may select a major simply because you love it and choose a career that may not be directly related.  In this case, your transferable skills become very important.

Career Goals

Another area to consider in selecting your major and/or minor is your career goal(s). For some careers, it is critical to pursue a definite academic plan such as accounting, computers, and some science careers. For other careers, the major is not the determining factor. These majors allow you more flexibility in selecting your academic and career path. An appointment with Career Services, 970-247-7562, can help you consider and develop your plan of action.

No matter what your career goal may be, it is wise to integrate some type of Career Related Experience into your academic plan. Career related experiences will help you make a better connection to your academic work and will help you compete for positions of your choice as you graduate.

There are several vocational assessments available to you that focus on your interest providing you with ideas about career options.

Career Services Contact Information

Ms. Allyn Talg, Director
Fort Lewis College, Career Services
3rd Floor Reed Lib;rary, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-3999
Phone (970) 247-7562, Fax (970) 247-7653
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