A Major Change: Insight into Switching Majors
Illustration by Breanna Newburn
Article by Madeline Teeter
NEWBERG, Ore. – College students must make decisions that will shape their future while figuring out what they want their future to be. One of the biggest decisions is what to major in, given this sets the trajectory of your career path. What happens if you realize your major is not right for you?
Some students come into college knowing exactly what they want to major in and how they will use it, while others are still discovering what suits them best, which can lead to them changing their major.
Allie Wilber, an alumnus of George Fox University (GFU), came to Fox as an exercise science major. “I ran cross country and track at GFU and have been an athlete my whole life so I figured doing exercise science and going the physical therapy route would be interesting to me,” Wilber said.
Wilbur soon changed her mind. “After hearing about all of the heavy math and science courses required for this major, I quickly decided I should try and go a different direction because my brain is not wired towards math and science.”
This realization started Wilber on a search for the major best suited for her. She switched to interior design during her first semester at GFU. However, that was not the end of her search: “I was in a total of five majors during undergrad. In order they were Exercise Science, Interior Design, Psychology, Elementary Education and Theology,” Wilber said.
Wilber spent most of her time at GFU as an elementary education major before she made the final change to theology. “[Elementary education] was from the second semester of my freshman year to the first semester of my junior year,” she said.
Wilber said that she felt called to use her elementary education background with a theological focus, which led to switching majors one last time. “I enjoyed teaching and learning about the skills for it in my Elementary Education classes, but felt the Lord leading me towards teaching in a ministry way instead of in a classroom.”
Wilber said that each time she switched majors, she would consult her CAP Coach, as well as friends and family, for advice. After working through the logistics of the change, she would confirm the change with her CAP coach.
While not everyone will change majors as many times as Wilber, the experience allows her to give valuable insight into the process for anyone who may be considering a change.
“The hardest part about switching majors was starting new classes with students and professors that I wasn’t familiar with,” Wilber said. “Along with this, some of my credits didn’t transfer over so I had to take some Gen Ed’s that were waived with one major but not with the new one I was switching to.”
Despite these drawbacks, Wilber does not regret her experience. “I would say it was worth it because it led me to the major I feel God placed on my heart. This process allowed me to grow in my faith by trusting He would guide me where He knows I’m supposed to be.”
She said that the best part about changing majors several times was that it gave her an opportunity to study many topics and meet a variety of people, which would not have happened if she stayed in the same major.
For anyone on the fence about changing majors, Wilber recommended talking with a CAP coach about what the change would entail, as well as meeting people in the major that you are considering. You can also take a class in that field of study to determine what the classes are like.
When asked for advice that she would give to a student who is considering changing majors, Wilber said: “Don’t be afraid to think about it or think that it’s too late to switch. I switched majors a total of five times in undergrad, my last time being halfway through my junior year and I still graduated on time.”
Wilber now has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Theology with a concentration in Christian Ministries. She is currently the assistant manager of customer experience at Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn in Newberg.
“It can be scary to take the leap of faith to switch, especially if you don’t know what you want to do career wise yet,” Wilber said. “But I think it’s so important to listen to what the Lord is putting on your heart and calling you towards. There is so much pressure to know what you want to do with your life while in college. While this is important to figure out, it is also important to explore your interests and see the direction God leads you.”
Despite the challenges that can arise from changing majors, if you feel called to pursue a different path, you should explore the opportunity and discuss it with others. Given the impact your major will have on your future, it is important to find one that you are truly content with.
