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Northern Vermont University is now part of Vermont State University! Please visit VermontState.edu for accurate information.

Majors and Careers

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Northern Vermont University will join with Castleton University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023. Learn more and apply for fall 2023.

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Explore Your Major and Career Options with NVU Career Services

College is a time to explore and discover new ideas, paths, and possibilities. Whether you arrived as a first-year student knowing what you planned to major in, or you’re taking some time to investigate your options, we can help you plot your course from the classroom to a career.

Our campus career services offices provide a range of resources to help you determine the best way to get the job you want in the field of your interest. We offer workshops, guides, consultations, and more to assist.

Choosing a Major

Not ready to declare a major? You’re not alone. Many new students are still exploring majors or are uncertain about the choice they have made. Don’t worry! Your first year of college is a great time to explore your options, take a variety of courses and get involved with campus activities. Take an active role in the exploration process.

In other words: Don’t just wait for the inspiration to hit you. Go out and find it!

Assess Yourself

  • Who are you? What interests you? What are you good at?
  • Take advantage of a variety of personality and career assessment tools available at NVU.
    Complete a self-assessment with TypeFocusTM contact Beth.Walsh@NorthernVermont.edu or Amy.Wright@NorthernVermont.edu for the access code.)
  • Once you have your assessment completed, come into the Career & Internship Center to talk about what you learned about yourself and how to “Do What You Are.”
  • Visit Career Services.

Gather Information

It’s tough to make a decision if you don’t know your options. Consider the following and find out more:

  • Read the college catalog, or visit the NVU website, for descriptions of courses and academic programs.
  • Visit the Career & Internship Center’s Library for information on internships, careers, exchange programs and choosing a major.
  • Explore the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh.
  • Talk to other students who are majoring in the programs you find interesting.
  • Talk with faculty, staff, alums or community members in the fields you are considering.
  • Visit LearnHowToBecome.org for some great ideas!

Get Involved/Gain Experience

Students who are engaged in campus activities are more successful and gain valuable experience that may help you to choose a major and a career. Here are some ways to get involved:

  • Join a club.
  • Volunteer through SERVE.
  • Get involved with the Student Government Association.
  • Consider the National Student Exchange or study abroad.
  • Participate in athletics (varsity and intramural).
  • Find a campus/work-study job.
  • Participate in an internship.

Remember, choosing a major does not mean that the exploration process is over. Stay involved, seek out new experiences and strive to make the connection between your education and life beyond NVU.

Set Your Career Goals

Once you are clear on your major, you will want to make some decisions on specific career goals. The world of work is wide and wondrous! Your education at NVU will prepare you for a huge number of potential occupations and having an idea of an end goal will help you to enhance your experience while completing your degree. Here are some tools that will help you explore various careers, industries, companies, job descriptions and salaries, as you think about how these options fit with your interests and skills.

Research Some Majors and Occupations

  • What Can I Do With This Major? 

    • Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Get details on almost any type of job, including duties, educational requirements, salary expectations, job outlook and more.
  • O*Net Online: Discover what occupations will work for you.
  • Inside Jobs: Match your interests and skills to hundreds of careers and internships.

Find Out What NVU Faculty and Alums Have to Say

  • Go to department webpages to learn about your professors and instructors and their careers.
  • Read NVU alumni profiles.

Take Advantage of Digital Tools