Exploration

All students can benefit from academic and career exploration to ensure a good fit major.

Some students enter the General Studies Program certain about the major they would like to pursue. These students use exploration as a way to further define and refine their paths. For example, students pursuing the BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) major in the D’Amore-McKim School of Business must choose 1-2 concentrations within business. These concentrations include: marketing, finance, accounting, supply chain management, management information systems, entrepreneurship & innovation, and management. Students are encouraged to find out more about each of these concentrations by meeting with professors, talking with mentors in the major, and attending special exploratory programs, so that by the end of the year, they have gathered the information they need to make an informed choice.

For those students unsure of their major, or who are interested in more than one major, our academic advisors provide a well-defined process for choosing. First, advisors talk with students about their academic interests and strengths and encourage them to reflect on how these connect to a major; next, they help students identify courses that will help them gauge their interests and skills; and, finally, they connect students with resources such as Career Development to help them see how their major choices connect to career goals.

As part of their first year seminar coursework, all students are required to attend the Meet the Majors fair and at least one What’s in a Major program, hosted by the Northeastern Explore Program. These provide valuable forums for students to talk with faculty and students in majors.