Major Clips

Choosing a major can be a stressful thing. Advice from parents, friends, and professors, however well intentioned, can translate into pressure. And everyone knows that when you're pressured, it's hard to know what's really right for you.

This is not to say that you shouldn't seek out advice. One good strategy is to talk to students who have "been there," who are close to completing the major you are considering. Most departments have peer advisors who are willing to share knowledge about what it's like to major in a particular field. Making an appointment with one of them will allow you to ask questions of someone who may have been undecided just a few years ago but who now is an enthusiastic student in a particular discipline.

Even if a department doesn't have peer advisors, departmental staff can always recommend upper-division students willing to talk to you about their offerings. Make a point of tracking them down and gathering all the information you can. It's part of what successful students do to settle on a major. To help you out a bit, we asked seniors and peer advisors why they chose their majors.

Anthropology - Cultural Emphasis

I chose cultural anthropology because it's a combination of psychology, sociology and some history all rolled in to one. The most recent topics covered in the major have been my favorite: globalization and world orders. I'm hoping there is something out there for cultural anthropology majors, but I don't think my career path will necessarily require my degree.
- Lilianne Lawrence, Senior, Anthropology - Cultural Emphasis

Biopsychology

I loved my advanced placement psychology class in high school, but I wanted to take biology and chemistry too, and biopsychology integrates all of these fields. I knew I wanted to be a biopsychology major when I applied to UCSB. The fact that UCSB offers this major was a big factor in coming here (apart from location, of course). When I decided I wanted to apply to medical school, biopsychology turned out to be a great choice, because the pre-major includes all the pre-medical classes I needed to take.
- Daria Thompson, Senior, Health Professions Peer Advisor, Biopsychology

English

The English major allows you to explore the complexities of mankind, feel empathy for others, and improve your writing skills. When I came to UCSB, I knew that I wanted to attend law school upon graduation, but was unsure what academic route would lead me there. I let my passion guide me and chose English because I enjoy reading literature and expressing myself through writing. My major has sharpened my analytical and verbal skills, which are attractive to all types of employers, ranging from business, editing, teaching, counseling, and of course, law. I know that the skills I have gained will benefit me in the future, even though my major is not directly linked to my desired career.
- Courtney Lewis, Senior, Student Honors Coordinator, English

Global Studies

Coming into UCSB as an undeclared major, I had no idea what I wanted to pursue in college. It wasn't until my first two Global Studies classes that I realized there was something at this school that was perfect for me. The classes are taught from a unique global perspective, and the professors are unbelievably knowledgeable and well-qualified. It is such a privilege to be studying such current and interesting topics that are pertinent to the complex world we live in today. The degree is very interdisciplinary, so you can choose classes from other departments to personalize exactly what you would like to study while becoming a well-rounded student here at UCSB.
-Emily Newlands, Junior, Peer Advisor, Global Studies

Political Science

I chose political science as my second major, because in high school I developed a love for current events and politics. I find it interesting to learn about America's political history, which is essential for all students to know. I enrolled in several political science courses my freshman year, and I really liked the professors and the material, which solidified my interest in the major. Down the road, I hope to use my major to pursue a career either in constitutional law or a politic-related field.
- Dustin May, Senior, Student Honors Coordinator, Political Science and Statistical Science

Psychology

I entered UCSB as an English major and, after taking a couple basic courses, I realized that the English major just wasn't for me. However, I discovered how interested I was in psychology and how much the psychology major has to offer. The classes cover a wide variety of topics and the faculty is always willing to help. The major also allows for a range of career opportunities, from teaching to public service. I plan to use my degree in psychology to pursue a career in law enforcement.
- Kristine Hunter, Senior, Peer Advisor, Psychology

Spanish

The Spanish major is great at UCSB. The classes are challenging, yet rewarding. The professors are very approachable and are more than willing to see students outside of class. The lower-division classes focus on grammar, while the upper-division classes focus on specific topics or authors. The department also offers open forums, or chats for people to get together and practice their Spanish.
-Heriberto Alvarez, Senior, Spanish and Law & Society

Statistical Science - Actuarial Statistics Emphasis

My whole life, I have had an interest in mathematics and I knew I would pursue some math-related field in college. In high school, I was able to take a statistics course that I enjoyed, so in college I wanted to continue down a statistics path. I chose statistics over a math major, because it is a rarer major than mathematics. Also, the classes the statistics major offered seemed more appealing. Having a statistics background gives me a myriad of career opportunities.
- Dustin May, Senior, Student Honors Coordinator, Political Science and Statistical Science