You have more control over your future than you might think!

Through your effort, energy and positive attitude, and our help, you can gather all the information and experience you need to make the best decision for you.

What are you going to major in?
You’ve probably been asked this question more than you care to remember! While this is an important question, it is one that does not need an immediate answer.

At Avila you are not expected to choose a major right away. Rather, we encourage you to learn more about yourself, career options, and labor trends before you make a decision. After all, research shows that many students who declare a major as they enter college change their mind two or three times before graduation.

Avila’s advising system, core requirements and Career Services are designed to assist and support you as you explore your options. Read on and find out what’s ahead. Enroll at Avila, and we’ll help to guide you through the process!

A chance to learn more about yourself and your options…
It’s not unusual for students not to know from the start exactly what they want to do when they graduate. How well do you know yourself? How do you know what to study? What will you do well in and enjoy?

At Avila, our premise is that you will only learn the answer to these questions from experience and exposure to a variety of fields and courses.  Except with a few majors such as Nursing, Radiologic Science, and Education, students can take two to three semesters to declare their major.

Time to build breadth as well as depth…
Recruiters interviewing graduating seniors for entry-level positions as well as for graduate schools and professional studies always stress the importance of academic success.
They also emphasize, however, the need for strong communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The semesters you use to explore your values, interests, academic and career options will help you to develop these skills and determine your major area of focus. This exploration will also help you to make more thoughtful and informed decisions relating to your major and future career path by providing opportunities for: academic advising, interest assessment, and career exploration.

Avila’s advising system and core requirements…
As a new student, you will receive individualized attention from one of our faculty advisors who will guide and assist you in developing your course of study.

According to your special interests, you will select your first 45 credit hours from about 150 different "core" courses representing the variety of academic areas you may pursue in depth later in your college career. Our "core" encourages underclassmen to sample and explore the humanities and natural sciences, and the arts, while developing valuable life-long skills.

Getting to know yourself…
If you are a full-time first year student, you will automatically have opportunities to explore your personality, values, skills and career interests through your First year seminar.
This ten-week program is designed to assist you with your transition to college as well as with your self-awareness, goal-setting, and career planning. If you are a part-time student or transfer, you are also encouraged to learn more about yourself and how your values, interests and abilities relate to specific career areas. 

Career Services offers an on-line career assessment tool called, "Do What You Are" to assist you in learning more about yourself.  Values clarification exercises are also available to help you in your career decision-making process.

Exploring career options…
Research your options by reviewing resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which you can link to right here!Gather more information by conducting an informational interview with Avila’s faculty, alumni and other professionals in the Kansas City area who can act as mentors by sharing their expertise and first-hand knowledge of a field.

Taking advantage of opportunities to build your skills…
Opportunities for practical learning include volunteer experiences, part-time and summer employment, cooperative education and internships. Each of these experiences can help you to develop your skills and expand your knowledge. Hundreds of employment opportunities and job leads are available annually through our Career Services office. You may also choose to participate in the Employer Fair held each fall. Through our job postings, volunteer opportunities and additional contacts you may obtain work experience, or work through your academic department to arrange an internship for credit. Take advantage of the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills by experiencing a career or work environment first hand. Learn and develop marketable experience by real life involvement in fields of special interest to you.

Deciding on a major…
Once you have sampled courses from a number of academic areas, and have learned more about yourself and your career options, you will be better informed and prepared to declare a major. Except with a few majors such as Nursing, Radiologic Science, and Education, you can take two to three semesters to declare your major.  After doing so, you will be assigned to an advisor from that particular department.

And moving on…
No matter what major you select, you will want to work closely with your advisor to develop a practical course of study. Remember that including some computer and business courses in your college curriculum can increase your marketability upon graduation. Keep in mind the need to gain experience. This will help you to compete successfully as you seek to enter the professional world.

While recruiters are impressed by "good grades," most admit that grades aren’t everything. They are interested in well-rounded applicants with strong communication and critical thinking skills. Campus and community involvement and leadership experience increase your marketability.

And, again, the value of related internships or part-time jobs cannot be underestimated!

Approaching graduation…
No later than the beginning of your senior year you may want to seek assistance in refining your résumé, planning your job search strategies, and fine-tuning your interview skills. Our Career Services office has a list of Internet web sites, videos, books and self-help sheets to guide you through the process. You also have the option of meeting with our career counselor for individual assistance.

Web sites you may find helpful…
http://www.avila.edu/careers/ratings.asp