Choosing or Changing a Major 

Changing your major is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make at Northeastern. The process can feel overwhelming because there are so many possibilities—but it’s also an opportunity to get intentional about a direction that actually fits you, not just what sounds good on paper. 

If you’re reconsidering your major, you’re in good company: about 1 in 3 students change majors within three years of enrolling. 

Understand Yourself First 

Start by looking inward. What you value and what you’re interested in and how you work all point toward certain paths and away from others. It isn’t about being locked into a career. It’s about building self-understanding so you can make a choice you’ll stand behind. 

Career Development offers several self-assessment tools designed specifically for this, including: 

  • MCode helps you uncover what actually drives you: your core motivations, the type of work environment where you thrive, and how to recognize a good fit when you see it 
  • SkillScan reveals both what you enjoy doing and what burns you out, so that you focus on jobs using the skills that will keep you energized 
  • SparkPath* reframes the question from “what job should I do?” to “what problems do I want to solve?” This often surfaces directions you hadn’t considered 

*create a student account with this unique code: Northeastern2023

Explore Your Options Systematically 

You might be stuck because you don’t have enough information. The solution is to gather it deliberately. 

  • Read through our Concentration Guides in each Career Path which break down different majors, possible job titles, industries, and employers in each field 
  • Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook to understand what professionals in a field actually do day-to-day  
  • Check professional associations and organizations in fields that interest you—they often have student resources and “day in the life” content 

  • Find LinkedIn groups related to your potential field and follow professionals to understand their paths 
  • Browse career-focused content on social media and blogs to get a feel for different industries  
  • Visit our Explore Careers resources page to learn about specialized career exploration tools 

Connect Directly With Professionals 

The best research happens in conversation. Here’s who to consider reaching out to: 

Northeastern alumni are your most accessible resource. They’ve been exactly where you are and can tell you what it’s actually like to study and work in a field. Access your NUSource account to connect with alumni who want to help students like you. 

Faculty in departments you’re considering are often leaders in their fields with deep knowledge about career paths. They also know what skills and experiences matter most in their field. 

Career conversations and events hosted by Career Development throughout the semester connect you with both alumni and professionals. 

  • Check our events calendar for workshops on beginner and advanced networking strategies 
  • Use Inspire a Husky to schedule low-pressure conversations with professionals who want to help 

NU Talent Connect is also great for informal conversations with employers across industries—you can ask about what led them to their career, not just about job openings. Talent Connect happens semi-annually in Spring and Fall and can be found on our events calendar.  

  1. Schedule and take an assessment to understand yourself 
  1. Set up a time with a Career Counselor to debrief what you learned 
  1. Research one major or career path from your results using our guides and the Occupational Outlook Handbook 
  1. Schedule one informational interview with an alum or professional in that field 
  1. Connect with a Career Counselor to talk about what you learned 

Drop in or set up an appointment with a Career Counselor to: 

  • Figure out which assessments are right for you 
  • Debrief after taking an assessment to guide your career planning 
  • Develop an in-depth research strategy 
  • Learn how to build your LinkedIn and use it to connect with people in your field 
  • Understand how to set up and lead informational interviews 
  • Prepare for interviews, career fairs, and other networking events 

Questions? 

Reach out to Career Development at huskycareers@northeastern.edu or visit the Career Studio for additional guidance.