Process of Choosing a College Major

Are you having difficulty choosing a college major?  Are you unsure what you want to do for a career?  You are not alone.

I meet with numerous students who are undecided in their major or career.  In fact, many first enter my office with a single primary concern, "I just want a good paying job, what classes do I need?" Students verbally and non-verbally communicate their woes, worries, excitement and epiphanies, during our 30-minute academic advising appointments, as they attempt to choose the next term classes.  This produces both opportunities and challenges during their academic planning process.

As we discuss opportunities for new beginnings, making plans, learning and growth, students experience a wide-range of emotion.  Some perceive endless doors and are filled with excitement as they explore a future lit with possibility.  Others find themselves gripped with fear, or even perhaps apathy at the thought of choosing a college major. 

Most students experience doubt in their abilities at points, particularly in the first few terms, and varying degrees of fear of "choosing the wrong path."  When ambivalence takes hold, a perfect storm of decision-making deadlock and procrastination occurs.


Fear escapes them as they convey worries of the perpetual "what if."  "What if I invest time and money into a degree that won't produce a financial return."  "What if I don't like this career."  "What if I change my mind." "What if I fail." "What if what I love isn't valuable in the job market."


Internal wrestling matches surface as students search to find "their way" and for the confidence to make decisions.  Unfortunately, this very desperation and weariness may lead some to procrastinate decisions as they become locked in fear of making the "wrong" one.

During these points of standstill, students may struggle finding motivation to persist to the proverbial "finish line."  As students struggle balancing school and life, they simultaneously struggle holding onto their goal to complete, especially through a fraught-filled decision-making process towards an obscure "end" goal.  This seems particularly hard for those immersed in the day-to-day grind to survive or while experiencing an external crisis.   Sometimes desperation for structure and framework takes hold as these weary survivors seek a clearer picture of a "finish line" to run toward. 

Fortunately, COCC has responded in a variety of ways including an 8-step guideline to help students through the the exploration process.  One of those steps includes a FREE, non-credit class, "Process of Choosing a College Major," to help students take the first steps toward determining their college major.  

What many find as they persist toward their goal of choosing a college major, is that the process is as valuable as the product.  Discovering strengths, weaknesses, interests and values is part of the journey towards a degree.  Using a decision-making framework assists many students through the abyss of the unknown.  Arguably, perhaps even more valuable than the degree, is the process of growth, self-reflection and learning it represents, in pursuit of a better future.

Scholarship Day at COCC - January 29th

Scholarship Day at COCC on January 29th, Bend Campus Center

Prizes. Workshops. And More.
Join us in the Campus Center to get tips and information about applying for scholarships.  There will be prizes and great workshops throughout the day.  Scholarship table will have tips and information about applying for scholarships (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

How to become a scholarship front-runner workshops

11-11:30 a.m.

or

1-1:30 p.m. 

Campus Center, Room 116

Winning free money sounds great, but applying for scholarships takes time and effort.  Is it really all worth it?  What pays off the average student debt fastest?  What scholarships should I be applying for?  Come and get answers to these questions and more!

Essay writing workshop

Noon - 12:30 p.m.

Campus Center, Room 116

Focus and hone your writing skills for well-written scholarship statements and essays.

Questions?  Call 541.383.7260 or email coccfinaid@cocc.edu (sponsored by COCC's Financial Aid Office)

In advance of College events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola:  541.383.7775.  For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact Annie Jenkins:  541.383.7743.

Oregon Transfer Day - Monday, January 13th

If you are considering transfer to one of these Oregon schools and would like to talk with a representative in-person, see below….

On, Monday, Jan. 13,  COCC is hosting the Oregon Transfer Days event. It Designed to help community college student successfully transfer to four-year schools. The event will be held at Wille Hall in the Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Institutions that will be attending the event:

Eastern Oregon University, Linfield College, Marylhurst University, National American University, Oregon State University, Oregon State University – Cascades, Oregon Tech, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, The College of Idaho, The Ford Family Foundation (scholarship info), University of Oregon, University of Portland, University of Western States