Understanding yourself is the first step to identifying an appropriate major/career. It is important to choose a professional path that aligns with your interests, skills, values, and personality. The Office of Career and Professional Development is equipped with the tools and resources to help you explore your interests and relate them to an applicable major/profession.
Selecting a major is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your college journey. However, it's important to know that choosing a major doesn't lock you into a single career for life. For example, if you major in Psychology, it doesn't mean you are limited to becoming a psychologist. A college degree serves as a solid foundation, and every job you hold is a stepping stone toward your broader career aspirations. Take the time to explore your major and career options, and learn about entry-level positions, salary expectations, and potential advancement opportunities. It's essential to have a clear understanding of what pursuing a particular major entails.
To support you in this process, Career Coaching appointments are available for one-on-one coaching sessions.
Explore your interests, review your major options, and discover your career pathways here! Focus 2 is an online career and educational planning tool designed to help you decide about your education and future career goals. Offered free of charge to SCSU students, FOCUS 2 will help you: identify your work interests, values, skills, and personality, discover occupations that match your personal preferences, decide which career fields and majors are the best fit for you, and plan the career pathway that will support your personal needs and goals.
New users
Please use your MySCSU email address (southernct.edu) to register for a new account and the access code "owls" for access.
Review the Focus 2 Video Tour for an in-depth overview of the updated Focus 2 Career platform, including its features like self-assessments, major and career matching, and job readiness resources.
Focus will be most effective if you meet with a Career Coach at the Office of Career and Professional Development to review your results. Visit us early! Freshman and sophomore years are an ideal time to begin this journey.
Access 90+ Day in the Life of videos on ConnectED that provide a behind-the-scenes look at various industry professionals. You can learn about both the job itself and the skills required to do the job well.
Ever wonder where your major can take you? "What Can I Do With this Major?" highlights the diverse career paths students have pursued after graduation. Whether you're studying English, biology, or any other field, your degree can open doors to many opportunities. The content includes a curated list of potential employers, practical strategies to help you land a job, and direct links to career resources tailored to your major. It’s a great starting point for exploring how your academic background can translate into a fulfilling career.
Produced by the United States Department of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Outloook Handbook includes industry information by specific occupation. Content includes required training, salary, advancement opportunities, related careers, and more.
The O*NET system serves as the nation’s primary source of occupational information, providing comprehensive content on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations.
Ever wonder what it would be like to pursue a particular field? Want to learn from someone who has been there? Through Job Shadow, you’ll have the opportunity to view interviews and obtain information from real-world professionals regarding their particular field, job, or career.
The NACE Salary Calculator, produced by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, provides salary information for more than 1,000 occupations in 560+ regions nationwide.
The Importance of Major Exploration for All Students
Whether you’re totally undecided, confidently declared, or somewhere in between, you should explore your academic major options before committing fully to a major. Students who make the effort to explore are more likely to choose a major that aligns with their interests and are ultimately more successful in their studies and career outcomes. At Southern, our goal is to provide the resources necessary for EVERY student to make an informed and meaningful major decision. If you want to confirm your choice of major or are considering changing your major, follow the Steps to Explore Majors, a simple process that prompts you through a complete major decision process.
Find out More on the SCSU Explore Program
The Explore Program is a university-wide collaboration with the shared goal of helping all students make an informed academic major choice. By offering extensive resources and intentional programming, the Explore Program seeks to engage every student through thoughtful major exploration. This is an important student success initiative because students who take the time to explore majors are more likely to graduate, have improved academic performance, and achieve personal outcomes.
Schedule an Appointment
Speak with an academic advisor who can help students explore majors.
Receive individualized assistance from a Career Coach with any career-related issues, including choosing a major, career options, resume review, cover letters, and other career-related topics.
Additional Resources
Four-Year Career Planning Guide
Glassdoor: Search millions of jobs and get the inside scoop on companies with employee reviews, personalized salary tools, and more.
Graduate Resources
SCSU Graduate School: Southern Connecticut's graduate studies program.
Kaplan Online: Extensive resources for graduate school applicants, medical and law school information, information on nursing, dental school, business, and accounting.
Princeton Review: Explore schools and careers, improve your scores and skills for admissions tests, and find scholarships and aid
GradSchools.com: A comprehensive online resource for graduate schools and program information.