Parents

If your student has obtained a job, please take a moment to fill out one of our job placement forms. **The student's name will not be released. This is for statistical purposes only**.
Find out how to post a job in our office if you have an available position

Major Success: Tips for Helping Your Student Choose a Major

Presented by Brent Latta & Heather Mitchell
Career Development Center
Samford University

Talk to your student about his/her major decision (or lack thereof!)

Listen to your student’s interests and help him/her identify related skills.
Be patient as your student grows, develops and perhaps even changes over time.
Encourage your student to participate in related out of class activities, part-time jobs and volunteer experiences.

Identify your concerns and expectations to your student

Help your student set realistic goals.
Make clear any standards that you have concerning majors/careers.
Study the Samford catalogue together with your student.

Provide opportunities for learning

Ask friends if they will talk to your student about their jobs and how they related to their undergraduate major.
Save information, i.e. articles, pamphlets, websites, related to your student’s interest and goals.

Suggest a visit to the Career Development Center

Beeson University Center Room 205, (205)726-2980

Interest inventories and personality assessments
Books, informational handouts, and internet access for research
Personalized, individual career counseling
Off-campus part-time jobs and internships
Ms. Heather Mitchell (hmmitche@samford.edu) works with all freshmen and all undeclared majors
Mrs. Brent Latta (bwlatta@samford.edu) works with all sophomore level and above students who are considering changing their major

Important Facts for Your Information

S.U. students must choose a major before the beginning of their junior year.
At S.U., a minor is required only in certain fields of study.
16% of all college students believe they will change their major.
65-85% of all college students ACTUALLY DO change their major.
The average worker will have three to six careers and up to 20 different jobs over his/her career lifetime.
Most peoples’ careers are not very closely related to their undergraduate academic major.
Following are transferrable skills that employers most value in new hires: Communication Skills, Honesty/Integrity, Teamwork Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Motivation/Initiative, Strong Work Ethic, Analytical Skills, Flexibility/Adaptibility, Computer SKills, Self-Confidence

Source: NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) This site provides a series of related articles written by career counseling professionals.