Undecided about a major? You’re not alone. Many students begin college without knowing exactly what career they want to pursue. And according to Heidi Schall, director of admissions at Macomb, that’s not a setback.

“I believe that as long as a student is taking classes that help them explore areas of interest or check off the box for general education requirements, there is no drawback,” she said.

Tools to help students declare a major

Attending as an undecided student is common, Schall said, because most people think about mainstream career options when starting college, including nursing, teaching, engineering and others.

“But there are so many other options available,” Schall said. “I don’t know if most students necessarily figure it out during their first year, but I do believe that if they are taking the right classes, participating in relevant events and gathering information, they will get closer to a decision.”

Other ways to help undecided students make that important decision include:

• Pay attention to what you enjoy and why you enjoy it.
• Consider marketplace needs and in-demand jobs.
• Volunteer, job shadow or work in a variety of different roles.
• Talk to people who have interesting jobs and ask them for advice.
• Macomb’s Counseling and Academic Advising and Career Services departments offer multiple resources for undecided students.

Although there are many great tools available to help students decide, it is still a big choice and that can be unnerving for some. “Be patient and honest with yourself,” Schall said. “The key is to be persistent; don’t give up. There is plenty of support available.”

The community college advantage

Community college is the ideal place for undecided students to explore options. Along with lower tuition costs, community colleges prepare students for a wide range of career options, including the skilled trades, which they may not find at a university.

“While it is a significant step forward to start college, a student becomes more valuable in their chosen field when they complete their education. Each of us has our own timeline, which is just fine,” Schall said.

Undecided Macomb students can find resources on the Discover Your Pathway webpage.