OWL Talks

College is a time to explore; make new friends, try new experiences, and figure out what you want to do with your life, which can be a lot easier said than done for some students. And if you’re one of the students struggling to pick a major or decide on a career path, you might feel unsure where to start. But that’s where the team at the Westfield State Career Center can help.

As the only public college in New England to offer a bachelor’s degree in regional planning, Westfield State has a solid history of educating and training successful planners that dates back to 1983. Key in this work by the Geography and Regional Planning Program—known as GARP—is the University’s connection to Tim Brennan, the executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC).

It’s your first semester at Westfield State and everything is going great. You’ve made a ton of new friends, joined a few clubs and already know your way around campus. There’s just one thing: You can’t decide on a major. Don’t worry. You’re not the only student out there facing the same dilemma. But that doesn’t mean you should start panicking and just pick any random degree. You might not know what you want your major to be, but you should know that you have time and options. Let us explain.

There is a lot to think about when you first get to college: how to find your way around campus, figuring out your class schedule, making new friends. But maybe the most important thing all first year students need to think about is a major. Figuring out your major early on helps determine what the next four years of your life at Westfield State University will look like. And for a lot of students, a major depends on the job market. That’s where we can help. Read on for our guide on how to plan for tomorrow, now.

Life after college. What will that look like for you? What job should you go to college for? How do you choose the right college? For most students around the country, life after college means finding a job. And how you find a job is determined by what you studied in school. While you may be familiar with the Criminal Justice Department or an English degree, there are two growing departments at Westfield State that are helping to fill high-demand positions in the New England area and around the country. But you might not have ever heard of them before now.

We get it. Choosing a major can seem impossible; especially if you’re unsure about what career you want. But picking a major doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Often times, one major can you lead you down multiple career paths. At Westfield, our career counselors can help you choose the right degree for you.