Idiot's
Guide to Carolina...
LONG TERM
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?: THINKING LONG TERM
· Choosing a Major
· Department Specific Advising
· Finding a Major and Careers for your Personality
Choosing a Major
Before you start stressing about what major you want to have that will affect the rest of your life, please, stop, take a breath, and don't worry!!!! If there had to be a starting point for deciding your future major, it would begin with letting go of all of your worries.
First of all, you're a freshman, so you have plenty of time to decide a career path. Most people who come to Carolina with a major in mind end up changing it several times. What helps though is the fact that we have two years to take so many different classes from so many different fields. So don't think that not having a major right now is a bad thing; it's good not to limit yourself to a specific major right now.
Instead, experiment with Philosophy or English or Biology. Take advantage of introductory courses like INTS 77 or ECON 10, but don't judge the entire field based on that one class. You have plenty of time!
One place that you can explore to see what each major offers and its requirements is http://www.unc.edu/depts. Just click on the link for the department or professional school that you are interested in and learn more about that respective career.
Department Specific Advising
Of course, if you do need guidance, there are many advisors, from business to law, who are willing to help you in deciding your major. What will happen is that you will find a field that best fits your goals in life, and everything will fall into place. The Academic Advising site will meet most of your advising needs.
If you want an online guide for planning your first two years
of school, the Academic
Advising First Year Student Planning Worksheet will help
you decide what classes to take, but the Academic Advising guide
for first year students (PDF) also has some information
about what you need to know before choosing courses, such as
degree requirements.
Check out the CTOPS advising information here
(PPT).
If you decide to change your major or need to consult an advisor from a specific department, the Academic Advising website also offers a way for students to schedule appointments with advisors in that department. (LINK)
There is also a chart that lists each advisor, where his or her office is, and what specific departments they are associated with. It is a great way to speak to an advisor who knows a ton of information about a field or career that interests you.
Enjoy yourself and the diversity of classes that UNC has to offer!
Finding a Major and Careers for your Personality
Some of us, well maybe most of us, have unique personalities that other people will never be able to understand or imitate. Of course, when it comes to careers, it would be great if we could predict in advance whether we would like a career or whether we have the special skills necessary to succeed in our field of interest. However, all hope is not lost when it comes to matching your personality with a major or career. Here are some very helpful questionnaires and quizzes that will help you determine what kind of personality you have and what types of careers you might excel at.
Counseling and Psychological Services has a Career Workshop.
The Princeton Review has a career test.
The Kiersey Temprament Sorter is a great way to learn about your personality.
There are plenty of resources, including your advisors, who will be able to help you determine what career is right for you, but make sure you take classes for your prospective major so that you can get a feel for what the career might be like.
|
IDIOT's
GUIDE TO CAROLINA
. The Essentials
. Getting Involved
. Academics
. Discover the Town
. Thinking Long Term
. Jobs and Internships
. Thinking About the Summer
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