Students choose majors every year hoping to jump-start their professional lives, and University of Memphis students have events and counselors to help them along the way.
The National Center for Education Statistics listed business, health professions, social sciences and history, psychology, biological and biomedical sciences and engineering as the most popular majors in the United States.
Jessica Flanigan, an academic counselor at the U of M, said she sees students are most interested in psychology and biology.
“Initially, a lot of students are interested in things like psychology and biology,” Flanigan said. “Nursing is also a common choice for incoming students, although our program is very competitive.”
Some of the most popular majors at the U of M this semester are nursing and pre-nursing, health studies, accounting, psychology, management, professional studies, biology and criminal justice.
Flanigan said some U of M students usually come into advising with a major or two in mind, but many come in undecided. By taking classes, students are able to figure out their potential careers.
The Academic Counseling Center has a team consisting of 11 professional counselors who help students find their career paths through their counsel and programs like Discover Your Major Day and Academic Strategies, a freshman-level class.
“First and foremost, advising is designed to ensure that students are taking the classes they need to complete their intended degree,” Flanigan said. “We are also there to give information to students about different degree options and help them develop a back-up plan if their original plan needs to change.”
Discover Your Major Day is an event during the fall semester when 50 departments on campus set up tables and talk with students about their major and career opportunities. It is also offered during the spring semester to help evaluate students’ skills, values and preferences and match them to a major.
Academic Strategies (ACAD 1100) helps to acclimate freshmen to college and teaches necessary skills for success in college. The class explains different majors, degree requirements and career opportunities.
Flanigan said not all students have the same timeline for choosing a major. She said every student is different and the Academic Counseling Center helps students get to where they need to be. She also said advisors ideally recommend students select their major by the end of their third semester.
“Maybe their first major doesn’t work out because of the unexpected difficulty of the coursework, or maybe once they take a class in their chosen major they decide that is not the best fit,” Flanigan said. “Sometimes a student will take a class in something like anthropology and realize that is a field they are interested in.”
Flanigan said the Academic Counseling Center is a resource and referral office for students. As an advisor, Flanigan said she helps students and tells them three main things.
“First, be open to new experiences in college,” Flanigan said. “This is a unique time in your life where you will be exposed to many new things, and you should enjoy it. Second, come to your advisor any time you are having a problem. If we know something is going on we can help ... If we don’t know there is a problem, we can’t do anything about it. Third, take your education seriously. I know there is a lot of stuff going on in college, but your priority needs to be your education. Go to class and study.”
Waleed Alsurihi, a 23-year-old civil engineering major, chose his major because his brother recommended it, but his advisor helped him see what he could do with his future.
“He told me what exactly I’m going to do in the future and what kind of job that I’m going to do,” Alsurihi said.
Zachary Gilliam, a 21-year-old finance major, picked his major after his advisor suggested he take classes in a variety of fields.
“Originally, I was undecided, so my advisor at the time told me to take a couple of classes in different fields,” Gilliam said. “I just found that major (finance) suited me best.”
Toulin Kanawati, an 18-year-old international business, business management and marketing triple major, decided to major in three subjects after she went to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She said Academic Counseling Center helped her with academic and personal support.
“First, I wanted to be a lawyer, and then I went and explored,” Kanawati said. “I liked my advisor a lot. I know her on a personal level, too, and she’s like, ‘Call me anytime you need me.’ She’s always there. She was really helpful.”
22 year old International Business student, Elijah Spinolo, studies for his many classes. Many students have a hard time deciding on their major.
