Choosing a Major Based on a Career Path

Maybe you already have a career in mind but don’t know which major may be the best fit to support your career goals. Use these steps to investigate.

Priority steps to choose a major based on career path:

• See ONET to get foundational information on careers
• Google a job or career you are interested in pursuing.
• Write down a list of requirements or skills needed for this career.
• Take the list of requirements/skills and match it with majors at Virginia Tech
• Take it a step further and meet with people in the jobs
  • Conduct an informational interview 
  • Shadow someone in the field to get first-hand experience

Optional steps to choose a major based on career path:

• What Can I Do With a Major
  • This website does not include all majors at Tech, but does include similar subjects and a list of career resources to help you research career fields
• Major & Minor Checksheets
• Candid Career
• Meet with Offices/Resources to align careers and majors
• Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor
• Need to change your major? Meet with Transitional Advising
• Meet with Career & Professional Development
• Meet with faculty in the discipline/major
  • This might require emailing or meeting with current faculty or emailing someone for the first time