Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Choosing a Major

Are you having trouble choosing a major? Whether you are planning to transfer to a four year university or attending A-B Tech to receive a 2 year degree, diploma or certificate, using some career planning tools can be extremely beneficial in helping you to make a successful decision.

Step 1: Know Yourself

Choosing a major starts with understanding some of the characteristics about yourself that will influence this decision. One way to uncover these personal characteristics is to use self-assessment tools. Assessment tools are designed to help you identify your interests, skills, personality type, and values and how they relate to school or career choices. Self-assessments actually do not provide you with definitive answers but rather increase your self-awareness and help you understand your options so that you can make a good choice.

Consider taking some self-assessments online, or in the Career Center.

In addition to self-assessment tools, having an in-depth discussion with one of A-B Tech’s Career Counselors can also help you evaluate your options and understand how these different options relate to major and career choice. To make an appointment with a career counselor simply fill out a career packet in the Career Center or the Counseling and Advising Center and then make an appointment.

Helpful Tips

You can find some important clues about your interests by asking yourself the following questions:

• When I am reading a magazine or newspaper, which articles interest me?
• When I go to a bookstore, do I spend most of my time in a particular section?
• Which classes do I enjoy the most?
• When I look through A-B Tech’s college catalog or catalogs at four year institutions, which programs are the most interesting to me?

Step 2: Research Your Options

Once you have determined some possible majors or careers that interest you, the next step is exploring these majors and occupations. The A-B Tech Career Center has extensive information about occupations and majors, as well as Internet websites on occupations. The Choices computer program also provides descriptions of different careers, salaries for North Carolina and the nation, the employment outlook for the next few years, and educational requirements for specific careers and schools that offer these educational programs.

Helpful Tips

• Review the college programs you are considering and read the description of the classes that are required for your program.
• Speak with the chairperson of the department about the program and career you are considering.
• Do informational interviews with professionals in the field.