What Should I Major In? Use Career Assessments to Explore Degrees

Key takeaways: use an assessment as a starting point

Key takeaways

• Career assessments offer clues about interests, motivations, values, preferences, or self-reported strengths; these are different from objectively tested abilities.
• Major exploration and career exploration are related but separate tasks. A major is an academic choice; a career is a type of work to investigate.
• A match list is a set of possibilities to research, not a probability of satisfaction, employment, admission, or graduation.
• Compare the actual curriculum, degree requirements, tuition and aid, completion options, and occupational requirements before choosing.
• Test a shortlist through student conversations, an introductory course, a project, or other manageable real-world exploration.

University career resources describe major exploration as deciding on an undergraduate field of study and career exploration as researching and evaluating occupations. Starting with both questions can keep you from assuming that one major leads to only one job. Read the Major and Career Exploration Guide.

What career assessments can and cannot tell you

“Career aptitude test” is a common phrase for tools that may actually measure interests or preferences. Before answering, find out whether a tool asks about activities you enjoy, values you want work to reflect, personality preferences, confidence in skills, or performance on a skill test. Those categories should not be treated as interchangeable.

A self-report result describes how you answered. It is not proof that you possess a skill, will succeed in a course, or will enjoy a particular occupation. A career match is a prompt for investigation, not a forecast. University career services describe major choice as a process that can consider personal interests, strengths, values, learning styles, and career possibilities. Explore Clemson’s major and career resources.

Use this question after every result: “What specific course, task, or work setting should I examine to see whether this suggestion fits?” If you want to explore work motivations, Assessment.com’s MAPP assessment can be one starting point. Treat any result as an invitation to research options, not as evidence that a degree or career is guaranteed to suit you.

Turn assessment results into questions about majors

Start by writing down the assessment’s main themes in your own words. For example, you might notice that you prefer practical tasks, value helping others, or like organizing information. Do not jump straight from a broad theme to a degree title. Ask what activities and learning experiences would let you investigate that theme.

1. List two or three recurring interests, values, or work preferences.
2. For each, identify a college subject and a real task that could help you test it.
3. Record what experience supports the idea and what you still do not know.
4. Choose a small next step, such as reviewing a syllabus or speaking with a student.

Assessment guidance at Indiana University Indianapolis presents FOCUS 2 as a major exploration and career-planning assessment intended to help its students narrow options using personality, values, skills, and interests. Its availability is described for IU Indianapolis students, so do not assume the same access terms apply at other schools. See IU Indianapolis self-assessment information.

What the degree program teaches: inspect the curriculum

Before comparing degree names, read the program’s current plan of study. Look at required and elective courses, prerequisites, the kinds of assignments students complete, and whether the subject is taught through lectures, labs, studios, fieldwork, or other formats. The specific mix varies by program, so verify it in the college catalog and department materials.

Ask yourself whether you are drawn to the actual learning, not only the job title you associate with the major. Do you want a focused professional pathway, broadly applicable skills, or a subject you enjoy studying? The University of Wisconsin–Green Bay’s major-selection guidance frames these as different questions to consider. Review its guide to choosing a major.

Try this comparison: For each shortlisted major, name one required course that sounds engaging and one that may be challenging. Then find out what students actually do in those courses. A degree label by itself does not tell you whether its day-to-day academic work is a good fit.

Who a program suits and what entry requirements to check

A major may fit your interests and still be the wrong choice for your circumstances. Check whether you meet the college’s admission requirements and whether the major has separate application rules, prerequisites, minimum grades, auditions, portfolios, or capacity limits. Requirements differ by school and program; use current official materials rather than assuming that general college admission guarantees entry to a particular major.

Consider how the program fits your life. Will you need to work while studying? Do you need online or evening courses, accessible facilities, a particular location, or the ability to study part time? Ask the college to explain which options it actually offers. If you are already enrolled, ask how a change in major could affect your completed credits and academic plan.

Assessment results can contribute to self-reflection, but your prior coursework, responsibilities, finances, accessibility needs, and experience also matter. City College of New York encourages students exploring majors to learn from classmates and upperclassmen who can share what studying a field is like. See its advice on deciding on a major.

How to compare majors and choose a program

There is no universally best major for someone with a particular assessment profile. Decide what you want a degree to do for you: prepare for a defined field, build knowledge and skills that could transfer across fields, or let you study a subject that matters to you. Then compare programs using consistent questions rather than choosing by title or match score.

• Curriculum: Which required classes and learning activities interest you?
• Requirements: What prerequisites, admissions steps, and academic standards apply?
• Career connection: Does the path you have in mind require a specific degree or additional credential?
• Practical fit: Can you attend in the format and location offered, and make the schedule work?
• Cost and time: What is the school’s current estimate for your circumstances, and what could extend completion?
• Alternatives: Could a related major, minor, certificate, transfer pathway, or nondegree course help you explore first?

Assessment-based recommendations may help produce a list, but verify each suggested program with the institution offering it. For example, a university assessment resource can direct students toward major exploration; it cannot replace checking a department’s current program requirements. See Arizona State University’s exploration resources.

Tuition, costs and financial aid: get program-specific figures

Tuition and total education costs depend on the specific school, program, enrollment pattern, location, and your financial aid. The available research here does not establish comparable current prices, so avoid treating a generic figure as your personal cost. Request current cost-of-attendance information and a financial aid offer from each college you are considering.

Ask what the estimate includes and what it may leave out. Check tuition and mandatory fees, course materials, transportation or housing if relevant, and any program-specific equipment or expenses listed by the college. Ask whether your intended course load and likely time to completion match the estimate. If you may change majors, ask whether the courses you have already taken will apply to the new program.

Review grants, scholarships, work options, and loans in the terms provided by the school and relevant government aid offices. Confirm eligibility, renewal conditions, and when aid is disbursed. Compare the net amount you would need to cover, not a headline tuition figure. Do not assume that a particular major receives a certain aid package or that all students qualify for the same funding.

Affordability and ways to fund your education

Affordability is more than the price of one term. A program that seems less expensive at first may not be the lower-cost option for you if credits do not transfer, required courses are not offered when you need them, or a change of direction adds time. Ask colleges to help you understand the implications for your individual plan before you make a decision.

To build a realistic comparison, collect each school’s current cost information, your written aid offer, a draft course plan, and the terms for any scholarships or loans. Ask whether part-time enrollment, transfer credit, or a different credential level is available and how those choices affect your aid or schedule. Consider work and caregiving responsibilities when estimating what course load is manageable.

You do not have to commit to a full degree just to explore a subject. Ask about introductory courses or other low-commitment learning options, and compare their price and credit status before enrolling. The right choice depends on the path you want and the resources available to you; avoid taking on debt or assuming a longer program is necessary until you verify the requirements for your goal.

Credential levels, study formats and time to completion

“Major,” “degree,” and “credential” are not the same thing. A major is an area of study within an academic program; a degree is the credential awarded after completing the institution’s requirements. Programs may offer different credential levels, but which level is suitable depends on your goal and the requirements of the career you are considering. Confirm the exact credential and completion requirements on the school’s official program page.

Compare delivery format, course availability, full-time and part-time options, transfer policies, and the program’s estimated completion sequence. Do not rely on a general time estimate if your situation includes prior credits, prerequisites, work constraints, or a likely change of major. Ask an academic advisor to map your credits to the requirements that apply to you.

Also check whether an occupation requires a license, certification, or further education beyond the major. Requirements are occupation- and location-specific. Confirm them with the relevant licensing authority or professional body before enrolling in a program based on an assumption about what it qualifies you to do.

Careers, jobs and employment outlook: research occupations directly

A major can connect to more than one occupation, and a job title does not necessarily correspond to only one major. Begin with one or two careers that interest you, then research the tasks, work setting, and education or credentials commonly required. Compare those details with the subjects and skills in the program. Do not infer job prospects or salary from a match result alone.

University career resources describe career exploration as researching and evaluating occupations and career opportunities. That means looking beyond a list of job names: investigate what people do during a typical workday and whether the tasks appeal to you. Use this major and career exploration guide as a starting point for separating academic choices from occupational research.

For employment outlook, wages, and local conditions, look up the specific occupation and geography in current government labor-market sources. Compare more than one occupation connected with a major, and note any required license or graduate study. The research provided for this guide does not support current employment projections or salary figures for particular majors, so none are stated here.

Related degrees, pathways and alternatives to compare

Related majors and alternatives can help you explore a shared interest from different angles. If you like a subject but are unsure about a particular professional pathway, compare neighboring fields, a minor, a certificate, or an introductory course. Ask each college whether these options exist and whether their credits apply to a later degree. Availability and transfer rules vary, so verify details before planning around them.

A useful test is to compare the required courses in two related programs. Which one includes more of the activities you want to learn? Which one makes room for electives or a second area of study? What additional education, if any, does the occupation you are considering require? University guidance encourages students to consider whether they want a major closely tied to one field, useful across fields, or mainly centered on a subject they enjoy. Use those questions to compare alternatives.

You can also investigate a field before selecting a credential: talk with people studying it, review course descriptions, or try a small project. Choose an exploration step that fits your budget and schedule, then use what you learn to refine your shortlist.

Accreditation, licensure and certification: verify requirements

Do not assume that a degree title alone qualifies you for a regulated occupation. Some career paths may require a particular educational program, supervised experience, an examination, a license, or another credential. The rules depend on the occupation and jurisdiction, so verify them with the appropriate licensing authority before you commit to a course of study.

Ask the college which program outcomes or approvals it can document, and whether graduates need additional steps before they can practice in your intended location. Confirm the name of any relevant accreditor or licensing body through its official information. Accreditation, program approval, certification, and licensure are distinct concepts; ask the school to explain which one applies rather than treating them as interchangeable.

If your intended career is not regulated, check whether employers in that field commonly request specific credentials or experience. Speak with people working in the occupation and compare their answers with reliable career information. The research available for this article does not establish profession-specific licensing rules, so verify requirements for your own target career and location.

Three examples of turning assessment clues into action

Hypothetical example 1: An assessment suggests that Jordan enjoys organizing information and helping people. Instead of immediately choosing a major, Jordan compares course plans in two related fields and asks students what assignments they complete. A conversation reveals that one program includes more of the research work Jordan wants to try, so Jordan reviews an introductory course description before deciding.

Hypothetical example 2: Sam receives results pointing toward a creative field but is unsure whether to pursue a degree. Sam checks the program’s admission requirements and current cost estimate, then asks whether a single introductory class is available. That lower-commitment step helps Sam test the subject before planning for a full credential.

Hypothetical example 3: Alex is considering a career with licensing requirements. Before selecting a major, Alex checks the rules for the state where they hope to work, then asks each college how its program relates to those requirements. Alex does not rely on an assessment’s career match to answer a regulatory question.

These scenarios are hypothetical, but the decision process is practical: treat results as ideas, identify what remains unknown, and choose a next step that can reduce uncertainty without assuming every option requires immediate enrollment.

A practical checklist for evaluating fit and making a choice

Use this checklist to compare two or three realistic options side by side. You do not need a numerical score; note what you know, what you still need to verify, and whether the remaining questions are important enough to delay a decision.

• Assessment: What does the tool measure, and which result feels supported by your actual experience?
• Academic fit: Have you read the required courses and checked admissions and prerequisite rules?
• Career connection: Have you investigated daily tasks and the education or license required for work you may want?
• Cost: Do you have current program-specific cost and aid information?
• Time and format: Does the schedule, course format, and completion plan fit your life?
• Test: Can you talk with a student, advisor, graduate, or worker, or try a class or project?

For guidance, prepare specific questions for a college career counselor or academic advisor: “Which courses would I take first?”, “How would a change of major affect my credits?”, and “Where can I verify the career requirements I am considering?” City College of New York recommends learning from students and classmates as part of major exploration. Review its exploration advice.

Your next steps: a manageable major-exploration plan

1. Write down your decision. Are you choosing an initial major, reconsidering a current one, or comparing degree options for a career change?
2. Review your assessment. Identify what it measures and summarize two or three themes without treating matches as predictions.
3. Build a shortlist. Select a few majors or programs that seem worth investigating, including a related alternative.
4. Verify the details. Read official curricula, entry requirements, costs, aid terms, format, and credential information.
5. Research work. Investigate the tasks and requirements for occupations connected with your leading options using current, authoritative sources.
6. Test and decide. Talk with students or workers, try a manageable learning activity, and revisit your comparison.

If the results leave you uncertain, you can use Assessment.com’s MAPP assessment as a starting point for reflection on possible career fit. Keep your decision grounded in the evidence you gather about actual coursework, affordability, and your circumstances. Visit careertest.com to explore your next steps.

Sources and further reading

• Indiana University Indianapolis: self-assessment resources
• University of Wisconsin–Green Bay: guide to choosing a major
• City College of New York: deciding on a major and career exploration
• Clemson University: explore majors and careers
• Major and Career Exploration Guide
• Arizona State University: career exploration assessments

Frequently asked questions

What does a career assessment tell you about a college major?

A career assessment may measure your interests, values, motivations, personality preferences, or self-reported strengths, depending on the tool. Those results can suggest questions and directions to explore. They do not prove ability or tell you which major guarantees success. Read what the assessment measures and pair its suggestions with course research and real-world exploration.

Should I choose the major ranked first by an assessment?

No. Treat a suggested major as a candidate, not an instruction. Look at its required courses, teaching format, cost, and possible career directions. Ask whether the actual work of studying the subject appeals to you, and compare it with at least one alternative before deciding.

Can I change my major after I start college?

Yes, it can be reasonable to change your major, but first find out how the change affects your remaining courses, expected completion time, financial aid, and total cost. Ask an academic advisor to review your specific degree audit and confirm any program-specific requirements before you submit a change.

Does my major determine my career?

Not necessarily. Some careers require a particular degree, license, certification, or further education; others may value transferable skills or accept several academic backgrounds. Identify a specific occupation and verify its requirements with authoritative sources and the relevant licensing authority before choosing a program.

How do I compare the cost of different majors?

Compare the full cost of each option, not just the advertised tuition. Ask each college for its current cost of attendance and a written financial aid offer, then check which grants, scholarships, work options, or loans apply to you. Recalculate if changing programs could add terms or affect aid eligibility.

What if my career assessment results do not fit me?

An assessment can be useful even if its results do not feel accurate. Check whether you understood the questions, note which suggestions seem unfamiliar, and compare the results with examples from your classes, jobs, hobbies, or projects. Discuss the mismatch with a career counselor or advisor if you have access to one.

People Also Ask

How do I use a career assessment to choose a major?

Start by identifying the assessment’s focus, such as interests, values, or work preferences. Use its suggestions to make a shortlist, then investigate course plans, program requirements, affordability, and related occupations. Talk with students or advisors and try a low-cost learning experience before committing.

Can career assessments help me find a college major?

Yes. A career assessment can help you notice patterns in what activities or environments appeal to you and suggest directions worth researching. It cannot establish that you have the ability to complete a program or predict job satisfaction, employment, admission, or graduation.

Do I need to major in something related to my future job?

Not always. A major can prepare you for a particular field, develop skills that apply across fields, or let you study a subject you value. Compare what you want from college with the major’s actual curriculum and the requirements of any career you are considering.

What makes a career assessment useful for choosing a degree?

A useful assessment makes clear what it measures, explains how to interpret results, and treats matches as ideas to investigate. Check whether it distinguishes interests and preferences from demonstrated skills, and whether its recommendations can be verified through course and occupation research.

What costs should I compare when choosing a major?

Compare program-specific tuition and fees, required materials, transportation or housing if relevant, and the possibility that prerequisites or a major change could extend your studies. Request current cost and aid information from each school rather than relying on a general estimate.

Can I explore a major without enrolling in a full degree?

Yes. You can explore an academic subject through a course, personal project, volunteer activity, or conversation with someone studying or working in the area. Ask a college whether introductory courses, transfer credits, or part-time study are available before making assumptions about cost or timing.