The Choosing or Changing a Major community is designed to you in making informed decisions about your academic path. Whether you are selecting a major for the first time or considering a change, this community provides self-guided tools, insightful questions, and strategies to help you navigate your decision with confidence.
Things to Consider
Major ≠ Career: Your major does not define your career. Your major along with your experiences provides you with skills and knowledge that can be applied to various fields.
Self-Awareness: Reflect on your interests, strengths, and values to guide your decision.
Exploration: Research different majors, careers, and industries to understand your options.
Decision-Making: Narrow your choices by identifying top interests and weighing the pros and cons.
Support System: Seek advice from advisors, career coaches, alumni, and mentors.
Talk to Career Coaches and Academic Advisors: Career Coaches help you connect your interests and strengths to career, explore what you can do with your major, and build industry knowledge. Academic Advisors guide on the academic side, helping with course selection, degree requirements, and credit planning. Find your academic advisor here.
Questions to Get You Started
What subjects or activities do you enjoy most?
What are your strengths, skills, and interests?
What career fields intrigue you?
What majors have you considered, and why?
What experiences have influenced your interests?
What initially led you to choose your current major?
What do you feel is missing from your current major?
What career goals do you have, and how does your major align?
Have you taken courses outside your major that you enjoyed more?
Resources to Support Your Career Exploration
These resources give you access to valuable information, real-world insights, and connections that can help you explore your options and make a confident, informed career decision.
Take career and interest assessments to find majors and careers that fit your interest.
Connect with UF alumni and professionals to explore career paths and get advice from individuals doing the work.
Try free, real-world job simulations from top companies to build skills and experience and explore careers of interest to you.
Get salary data, job market trends, and industry insights to make informed career decisions.
Explore majors, course requirements, and potential career paths.
Talk to professors, alumni, and professionals to learn about careers and industries.
Career Insights– Explore different major’s outcomes through interactive, AI powered dashboards
Explore and earn credentials with courses aligned to your career interest.
Observe professionals in action to see if a career is right for you.
Access MyFloridaFuture, a free, online college and career planning tool that provides students, parents, and policymakers with a wealth of information to make better-informed decisions about educational options and future employment opportunities. This interactive tool allows users to explore data at the System level and by individual institution, including information on salary, graduate employment, student debt, and additional educational opportunities.
Self-Guided Activities to Get You Started
You don’t have to do them all—just the ones that resonate with you or help you gather the insights you need. You are the author of your life, and only you know what will help you design a path that feels right. Explore, reflect, and take action in a way that works for you!
Use this tool to make thoughtful, confident decisions when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed. It helps you compare your options based on what matters most to you—so you can choose your next step with clarity.
Use the Good Time Journal to track when you feel most energized and engaged—helping you discover patterns in your interests and activities that can guide you in choosing or changing your major.
Use this guide to explore or change your major by mapping out three different life paths based on your interests and goals.
It helps you reflect on what matters to you and imagine how different majors could shape your future—so you can choose with clarity and confidence.
Use this guide to explore or change your major by mapping your interests, experiences, and curiosities.
The Wandering Map helps you spot patterns and uncover new academic paths that align with what excites you.
FAQs
Reflect on your interests, skills, and values. Use tools like CHOMP and informational interviews to explore options.
Some programs have limitations. Consult with an academic advisor for specific requirements.
It depends on your completed coursework and new major requirements. Review your degree audit and meet with an advisor.
Take introductory courses, join related student organizations, attend networking events, conduct informational interviews, discuss with your peers, and use job shadowing opportunities.
If you’re unable to change your major, don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to align your education with your career goals. Consider these steps:
- Explore Related Minors or Certificates – Adding a minor or certificate can help you gain expertise in an area that complements your interests.
- Take Electives That Support Your Goals – Use your elective credits to build relevant skills or knowledge in your desired field.
- Gain Experience Outside the Classroom – Internships, research, volunteering, and part-time jobs can help bridge the gap between your major and career aspirations.
- Leverage Campus Resources – Meet with a career coach or academic advisor to explore alternative pathways, graduate programs, or skills-based certifications.
- Develop Transferable Skills – Many skills—like communication, problem-solving, and leadership—are valuable across industries. Focus on strengthening these through coursework and extracurricular activities.
- Network and Seek Mentorship – Connecting with professionals and alumni in your field of interest can provide insights and opportunities that aren’t limited by your major.
Your major is just one piece of your career journey—your experiences, skills, and network can help you achieve your goals, no matter what you study.
It’s important to consider your family’s perspective, but ultimately, your career should align with your interests, strengths, and goals. Have an open conversation with them about your passions and how your chosen path supports your future success. You can also seek advice from a career coach to explore options, find ways to incorporate their concerns, and build confidence in your decision.
Next Steps
- Reflect on your strengths, values, and interests.
- Research UF majors, career paths, and industry trends.
- Engage in self-guided activities and informational interviews.
- Connect with career coaches, advisors, and mentors for guidance.
- Decide on a major that aligns with your goals and take action to declare or change it.
Still need support? Find a Career Coach who aligns with your needs and can provide personalized guidance to help you move forward!
