Undecided Students
Having trouble finding a degree perfect for you?
You're not alone – and we are here to help! To assist, our office of Individual studies is devoted to creating flexible degrees and supporting individual studies.
Flexible Degree Options
- Undeclared Major - Available for your first two semesters
- Individual Studies (AS) - Two-year Associate Degree
- Interdisciplinary Studies (BTech) - 4-year Bachelor's of Technology
How to Choose a Major
Our students tell us that Alfred State is the best choice for someone still on the fence when selecting a major. That’s because our programs are built to produce career-ready graduates. The more you learn about a major and it’s hands-on learning, the more insight you have into what it’s like to work in that field. Picking a major is a process that is just as individual as you are.
Here are four steps for choosing your major from Nathan Gebhard, co-founder of Roadtrip Nation and co-author of “Roadmap: The Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do With Your Life.”
Step 1
Separate your goals from other people’s goals for you.
How do you quiet the noise that’s coming at you from family, friends and society? Parents suggesting you should be a lawyer, policy makers defining “success” in terms of paychecks, even the voice inside your head saying you’re not smart enough.
Step 2
Forget passion; follow an interest.
Most advice about majors includes the admonition “Follow your passion.” But passion is something you discover over time, by finding an interest, however small, and nurturing it. There’s no epiphany; it’s a collection of small decisions that move you step by tiny step.
Step 3
Put your decisions in real-world context.
Whether you’re attracted to something because of its promise of prosperity or because it stirs you on a deep level — neither inherently right or wrong — experts warn: Determine whether expectations match reality.
Step 4
Yes, you do have to be good at it. Be flexible.
Dips in the job market, failing at a venture you wanted to succeed in badly, or just realizing that something isn’t as envisioned — these realities will force you to bend, contort or even redesign your ideal.
The complete article originally appeared in the New York Times.
More Ways to Look at Majors
You may also want to evaluate the number of job opportunities when selecting a major. Because we work with employers to determine what skills are in-demand, many of our degree programs have more employers lined-up to offer jobs than we have graduates. Consider all your options. You may be interested to learn about the advantages of selecting a non-traditional career option because no job has a lock on the gender of applicants.
Student Support
Every student is assigned an academic advisor at Alfred State to work one-on-one together. This opportunity to ask questions and seek advice is a great resource for students throughout their college years. We offer extensive support including career planning and counseling. Many of our students have been in your shoes and found their way to a career they love. Alfred State's goal is to keep students on a productive path to complete their degree and to begin their career.
Don’t worry if you don’t know where you want to be 20 years from now. Even if you do have an idea, there is still a need to be flexible and adapt to unforeseen changes in order to succeed. Finding a career that is best for you, one that matches skills, interests, and opportunities while providing a family-sustaining wage is a journey of self-discovery and adaptability.
Want to discuss the possibilities for your future? We look forward to helping you.
admissions@alfredstate.edu or 1-800-4-ALFRED (800-425-3733)