This weekend is Baylor’s Parent and Family Weekend.  Sharing your Baylor experience with loved ones can bring great joy, but some students are dreading the “Major Talk.”  They are bracing themselves for the inevitable questions, “What are you going to major in?”, “What are you going to do with that major?”, “How are your classes going?”.  If these questions bring you more anxiety than excitement, keep reading.

One of the best ways to prepare for the “Major Talk” is to do your research.  First, have you been working with a career counselor on your major and career decisions?  If not, visit our website to make an appointment.  Letting your parents know that you are seeking professional assistance helps them to see that you are serious about making a wise decision.  You can also let them know that you plan to take initiative by talking with professors at the University-Wide Majors Fair next week.

Another excellent way to prepare for the “Major Talk” is to have facts in hand.  Use the resources on the Career Counseling website to help you explore career possibilities with the majors that interest you.  Additionally, use sites like O*NET OnLine and Occupational Outlook Handbook to research salaries and job growth projections BEFORE your family members ask you about it.  Of course, this is good information for you to know, too!

Finally, if you are really nervous, consider role-playing your “Major Talk” with your career counselor or a trusted friend.  Practicing what you are going to say can boost your confidence and help the conversation go as smoothly as possible.  Best wishes, and let us know how the conversation goes!