Talon Marks Online News

A workshop held at Cerritos College declared on Feb.13 that over 50 percent of students entering college are undecided in their major.

Career Services Counselor Traci Ukita led the workshop and talked about five main factors during her presentation.

Fifty to 70 percent of students change majors at least once.

High percentages of students enter college undecided about their major.

Colleges and Universities across the United States report that at least 20 to 30 percent of their students enter as undecided.

Ukita used herself as an example by sharing that she too changed her major several times before an American government teacher inspired her to be a political science major.

“There will be a time when you have to just bite the bullet and choose a major,” she said.

Choosing a major does not mean choosing a career.

Most college majors are non career specific and prepare students for a wide range of occupations.

“You don’t have to major in business to do something in business,” Ukita said.

Ukita provided career.berkeley.edu, a website that shows what careers students can choose by major

“Typically when you pick something it does not mean you are locked in for the rest of your life unless you do that to yourself,” she said.

You need to know yourself.

“There is a test you can take that will choose the best major for you is false,” Ukita said. That test can give people a place to start and identifies patterns of interest and relates your personality to occupations.

You need to know about careers.

“Stretch yourself and see what’s out there not just what you are use to hearing about,” Ukita said.

Choosing a major takes time.

“It’s totally fine to explore your options.

“If it comes to a point where you have been here for five years, then that might be a bit of a problem,” she said.

Board of trustees member Jean McHatton took awhile on deciding her major, which ended up being education.

“You kind of just have to find your way and it isn’t always going to be really smooth,” she said.

Over half of the students who attended the workshop are undecided on their majors.

Carlos Robledo who was one of the undecided students who attended the workshop and left the workshop, with more knowledge on what he wanted to major in. ” I am going to look into some of the websites and resources that were offered, but I’m almost positive that I want to major in computer technology,” he said.

Students who have questions can speak with one of the career counselors at the school.