Page 8 - June 2021

C O L L E G E A N D C A R E E R E X P L O R A T I O N

Career Choices, Majors and Colleges

within Universities

Question #1 - What career do you want to pursue?

Question #2 - Is a degree required for the career you want to pursue?

If the answer to #2 is , then it's time to start looking at different colleges and
universities to help you achieve your career goals.

Not all colleges and universities are created equal when it comes to fields of study. Set aside your
biases about different and go to the school that will help meet your career choice needs.

Assignment #1 - do some research on your career choice and find a college or

university that is known for that field of study. Too many great schools are all too often
over looked because they're not one of our "Big Texas" schools, but could actually
offer you more than what those "Big Texas" schools could offer you.
Assignment #2 - Now that you've identified colleges and universities that can help you

meet your career goals, you will need to select a college and a major within the school
to apply. This is where it can get a bit confusing...when you apply to a college or
university you are not just applying to the school as a whole, you're applying to a
college within the school and selecting a major field of study. For example, if I wanted

to attend Texas A&M University and become a veterinarian, I would select Bio Medical
Sciences as a major in the college of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (you
could go several different routes for veterinary medicine, this is just and example). You
must specify this information (major and college) on your applications so it is very

important to be familiar with this information.
Assignment #3 - Look up colleges and majors within universities. Every university is
different, but you'll typically be able to find this information under "Admissions" or
"Academics". Many universities have a "Future Student" link you may click that will also

guide you to a list of majors as well.
My major changed 3 times while I was in school, and you know what, there's nothing
wrong with that. It is important to have a plan when applying for colleges and
universities and if it changes once you're there, then it changes.

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