Deciding on a major can be confusing and overwhelming with so many options available.

Should you have a minor or maybe a double major? The process of choosing your major takes time, and doesn’t always happen on a perfect timeline. We want to support your decision with the step-by-step guide below.

Steps to Choosing Your Major: A Guided Process

Step 1: Self-Examine

Evaluate your abilities, interests, values and personality to understand which areas of study best suit you.

• Career Advancement
  Located in Decker Hall 202, Career Advancement offers assessments and workshops for undecided students or those considering changing their major. Measure your interests, abilities, values and personality through assessment instruments such as DISCOVER, Self Directed Search (SDS) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Career Advancement also provides one-on-one appointments to interpret your assessment results as well as the Choosing a Major workshop designed for undecided students or those considering changing their major.
• Self Assessments
  Assess your goals, interests, abilities and values personally.

Step 2: Explore

Gather information about majors and occupations that align with your self-examination findings.

• Bemidji State University Catalog
  Read through the descriptions of each area of interest.
• Career Outlooks by Major
  Provided by Career Services, Career Outlooks by Major will allow you to gather information such as Major Highlights, Projected Demand, Placement, Employers and Job Titles for each area of study at Bemidji State University.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
  Search by occupation or job title to gather information about training and qualification required to enter into a specified field.

Step 3: Focus

Narrow down your options to majors and careers that genuinely interest you.

• Interview Worksheet
  Use this sheet to guide you through interviews of students, faculty and/or professionals in the areas that you have identified as possible majors of study.
• Job Shadow Experience Worksheet
  Use this sheet to guide you through a valuable job shadow experience with a professional in an area a possible area of study.

Step 4: Implement

Combine the information from steps 1 through 3 and make your decision.

• Student Data Form
  When you are ready to declare a major you will need to complete the Academic Program section of the Student Data Form and turn this form into the Records Office to process the change.
• Advisor Change Request
  You will also need to change your advisor to a faculty member from the department of your new major. Send an email to advising@bemidjistate.edu to let them know you need a new faculty advisor.