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Choosing a Major -
Choosing Your Path

Choosing a major means taking all the information you have gathered about your interests, strengths, values, and personality and matching it to possible areas of study. Dr. John Holland believes that personalities influence career choice and that people with similar personalities and interests are attracted to similar careers. We are usually a combination of characteristics. Consider what you know about yourself. What type of career might interest you? Which major would help you reach your goal?

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Realistic People who have realistic interests possess athletic ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals or prefer to be outdoors.
   
Investigative People who have investigative interests like to observe, research, investigate, analyze, evaluate or problem solve.
   
Artistic People who have artistic interests are innovative, have creative abilities, and like to work in unstructured situations, using their imagination and independence.
   
Social People who have social interestslike to work with people, to inform, enlighten, help, train, develop or cure them, and possess verbal and listening skills.
   
Enterprising People who have enterprising interests like to influence, persuade, perform, lead or manage, for organizational goals or for economic gain.
   
Conventional People who have conventional interests are well organized, numerically inclined, methodical, and detailed and value accuracy and efficiency.

To identify your theme code, you may take the Strong Interest Inventory. Students with a declared major consult a coordinator in Career Services by calling 314.516.5111. Students deciding on a major may contact a coordinator in the Center for Student Success at 314.516.5300.

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