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What Can I Do With A Major In ...? | FAQ | List of Majors at Mercer | Some Other Helpful Resources On The Web
What's the difference between a major and a minor? A major is a group of courses (usually around 15) that are all related on one academic discipline. A minor is a smaller group of courses (usually around 5) that are all related to one academic discipline.
Can you major in something in one school and major or minor in something else in another school? Yes, as long as you meet all of the prerequisites for the courses. Make sure to check the Mercer University Bulletin for those requirements.
Should you double-major in two disciplines? Only if you're interested in all the coursework and the extra time it takes. Double-majors aren't always guaranteed a better chance for employment or entrance into graduate school. Many people who start out double-majoring end up minoring in one or dropping it altogether.
When is the best time to choose a major? When you have answered the following questions:
What interests me the most about the major? |
Have I looked in the bulletin or on the web at all the courses I can take? |
Have I talked with an upperclassman who has already taken courses in the major? |
Have I talked with a professor in the major I'm interested in? |
Have I looked at the types of opportunities I can pursue with the major? |
Many people declare a major prior to their first semester, but don't start taking courses in that major until their second semester or sophomore year. This is usually because there are some prerequisite courses that have to be completed before major courses can be taken.
How difficult is it to change my major? Depending on what major you want to change to, it's usually not too difficult to do. Forms are available in Mercer One, the Registrar's Office or through your academic advisor.
What if I don't know what I want to major in? Talking with someone who kows Mercer and knows about majors is important. The Office of the First Year Experience, the Office of Career Services, or an Academic Advisor can help. Call Career Services at 301-2863 to ask to schedule an appointment with someone for career counseling.
People want to know what types of jobs they can get with a particular major. Some majors are very focused in providing an understanding of specific skills, such as accounting or engineering. Others are more broad in their focus and enhance one's understanding of the world around them.
An important point to remember is that some people find employment that doesn't necessarily apply directly to their major. There are business majors who end up working in education; liberal arts majors who end up working in business environments; and so on. What you can do with a major depends on other experiences you have outside the major (see Ways to Strengthen Your Major).
A resource for you to utilize can be found in our What Can I Do With a Major In ...? site.
Books, brochures, handouts, etc. are available on topics including general career information, specific careers, individual employers, graduate/professional schools, internships, etc. Some samples include:
- Major Options
- The Big Book of Minority Opportunities
- Petersons Guide to Internships 2003
- Peterson's Professional Degree Programs in the Visual Arts
- Career Choices for the 90's for Students of Political Science and Government
- Adventure Careers
- The On-Line Job Search Companion
- Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types
- The New Complete Guide to Environmental Careers
- Careers in Education
- The Best Law Schools
- Non-Profit's Job Finder
- Atlanta Jobs
- Hoover's Handbook of World Business
The Riley Guide: Job Listings - http://www.rileyguide.com/jobs.html - You'll find a fairly comprehensive listing of job and occupational sites that are industry or discipline specific, such as Arts & Humanities or Natural Sciences.