There are different ways to go about choosing a major or career. Use one or more of the approaches below based on your preferred learning and decision-making styles.
Learn about your options
Learning about your options will help you feel more confident in making decisions about your major and career. The following online resources can assist you with learning more.
Majors
Some degrees may be a better fit for you, but there is no one "right" choice. You want to choose a degree(s) that best supports your goals, but your degree alone will not define your career or job prospects .
- To explore degree options available at George Mason, visit Find Your Program. Many academic departments also have career pages that describe what the majors prepare students to do in the workforce.
- For career options by major, review What can I do with this major?
Careers
The world of work is quickly evolving and your adaptability will play a huge role in your success. Consider two or three paths you might pursue after George Mason.
- Learn what job roles are out there by exploring the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Get an understanding of what it takes to enter different career fields, using our Career Specific Resources
- Explore careers based on your skills and work experience using My Skills - My Future
Ask others who have been there
Getting information and advice from a variety of individuals is a great way to help you make decisions about a major or career. If you’re nervous about reaching out to people, start with members of the George Mason community. Download this helpful list (pdf) of possible questions and people to ask.
Connect with a broad network of students, alums, and employers by attending information sessions, alumni panels, and networking events, where you can explore majors and careers of interest and build relationships with professionals.
Test your options
Trying things out is one of the most effective ways to decide if you truly like something, are good at it, and want to pursue it. Here are some ways to test out your academic and career interests:
- Coursework: Exposure to the subject matter and skills needed for various careers.
- Micro-Internships: Short-term, project-based experiences often completed remotely.
- Internships: Applied learning that occurs in a professional work setting (in-person or remotely).
- Research: Work alongside faculty to investigate questions and contribute to new knowledge.
- Volunteer Work: Low-commitment, flexible ways to explore mission-driven organizations or causes.
- Organizational Involvement: Student chapters of professional associations offer low-cost or no-cost memberships that connect you with employers, mentors, and professional development opportunities like conferences.
- Part-Time Work: Paid, short-term options to get actual work experience in a field you are considering.
For recommendations about experiences related to your career interests, visit our Career Specific Resource pages.
Get more
- Complete the activities on pages 16-30 of the Career Readiness Guide to generate ideas and to help with your decision-making.
- Consider enrolling in University 220: Decide/Confirm Major to explore majors and career paths that fit with who you are and what you want to do.
- Try using generative AI as a brainstorming tool to explore majors and careers. Ask it to suggest careers related to the interests, strengths, values, and skills you identified through the activities above. You can also ask it to explain what different majors can lead to or identify careers you may not have considered.
Be aware that AI can make mistakes or provide incomplete information. Verify its suggestions using reliable sources, avoid sharing sensitive personal information, and discuss your ideas with a career advisor.
Additional AI prompts (remember to replace all bracketed text with information specific to you):
- Based on my interests, strengths, values, and personality, what majors and careers might be a good fit for me? Ask me questions first before making recommendations.
- Help me compare these two majors: [Major 1] and [Major 2]. What are the similarities, differences, career paths, salary ranges, and questions I should consider before choosing?
- I'm considering majoring in [major]. What skills would I develop, what careers could it lead to, and what experiences (internships, clubs, research, certifications) would help me prepare? If my priorities are [work-life balance, salary, helping others, creativity, job security, etc.], what majors and careers should I explore?
Make an appointment
Meet with a career advisor to discuss all the information you've gathered and answer any remaining questions, so you can make a choice that feels right for you.
During your appointment, you'll identify your strengths and interests and apply those to choosing a major and/or career path. You might even take a “career test” to help you identify potential careers for consideration.
Questions you might ask during your appointment include:
- How do my interests translate into a career?
- What majors are related to my interests?
- What will I be able to do with my major?
- How do I get started?
- How do I prepare to reach my goal(s)?
- How do I translate skills from my past experiences to my new goals?
Note: While career “tests” or assessments will not tell you what to be, they can help you learn more about yourself and identify potential majors and careers. University Career Services offers free, online career assessments on personality, interests, skills, and strengths for current George Mason students.
Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone? Try TimelyCare, free 24/7 virtual mental health support for George Mason students!