Choosing a Major

A major is a field of academic inquiry; a subject considered in depth. Making the decision of which major to pursue can be overwhelming indeed. Here are some things to consider when narrowing your choices of major:

Majors and Careers

• Colleges prepare students for careers, taking a variety of possibilities into account.
• Most majors offer graduates numerous job opportunities.
• Technical fields are math and science intensive.
• Fulfilling careers are a result of personal interest and possessing the skills needed to exceed position requirements.
• Always be on the lookout for professional development.
• Once you attain a degree, you may still be expected to continue your education. Even if you are not, furthering your education is highly recommended to remain competitive and marketable.

Explore your options

• Locate and read information on different majors, admission requirements, and graduation requirements.
• Make an appointment to meet with your high school guidance counselor or a college admissions counselor.
• Attend various information sessions.
• Job shadow someone who is currently working in the career you are considering.

Choose a Major that will be fulfilling and interesting to you

• Take into consideration your strengths as well as your weaknesses.
• Be realistic but don’t sell yourself short.
• Combine your interests and your skills.
• Although financial security is very important, money should not be the only factor when choosing a major that will lead you to a career.
• If you are not satisfied, you will likely end up changing your major or your career.

Financial Security

• There is data to substantiate the relationship between educational levels and lifetime earnings.

• Choose a career path that best fits your situation, not the current job market.

• Many careers now require 2-4 year degrees and the number of positions requiring post-secondary education is dramatically on the rise.
• Consider where you would like to live. The career you choose may be different depending on whether you plan to live in Aroostook County, Maine; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; or the west coast.

Undecided Major

Still can’t decide what major to study? Each of the seven community colleges in Maine, including Eastern Maine Community College, offer an Associate in Arts in Liberal Studies Program. This program provides an excellent opportunity to get started on your post-secondary education by taking general education courses. In addition, it may offer you the avenue to boost your skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, and algebra by enrolling in developmental courses to prepare you for your desired program of interest. Courses may transfer to other EMCC programs or to other colleges. See an admissions counselor for details.

Check out the AdvantageU Program for Liberal Studies students who wish to continue in a four-year degree program at one of Maine’s universities. Visit the AdvantageU website for details.

Eastern Maine Community College has over 30 programs of study in various career fields. We encourage you to explore this website for information regarding the programs we offer, admission requirements, curriculum length, estimate of tuition, and employment opportunities upon graduation. If you still have questions or would like to see the facility, feel free to call the Admissions Office at 207-974-4680 or email admissions@emcc.edu to make an appointment to speak with a counselor or for a campus tour.