“Don’t be afraid to switch because if it’s what you’re wanting to chase, chase it.”
Garrett Witham, Exercise Science
Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions a student makes when pursuing a college education. Many factors influence that choice, and not all students stick with their first selection.
Kirkwood Community College student Garrett Witham changed his major from welding to exercise science.
“It was definitely a switch of pace, where it went from a lot of hands-on to a lot of book learning instead,” Witham said. “That was definitely a big struggle, since I’m more of a hands-on person most of the time.”
Despite the challenges, Witham said switching to exercise science was the right decision. He realized continuing in welding did not align with his long-term goals.
“It definitely helped me a lot with my dream because I’d much rather help people than travel and weld and be away from my home all the time, which isn’t something I really want to do,” he said.
Students considering a major change can seek guidance from Career Services to explore new program options. Academic advisors can also assist with course planning and registration.
“I would say you definitely want to communicate with your academic advisor,” said Janelle Brehm, career coach. “I think a good place to start is exploring the majors on the Kirkwood website, and then obviously meeting with us in Career Services.”
Brehm added that Career Services also has assessments that can help students identify their aptitudes, interests and skills. Then they look at how those results may align with a career.
Switching majors can be intimidating for college students and often comes with challenges. However, many who make the change say they do not regret their decision.
“Don’t be afraid to switch,” Witham said. “If it’s what you’re wanting to chase, chase it. That was something I was afraid of. I knew it would be more book learning than hands-on, but I wanted to make the switch because it’s something I would rather do, and it would make me a lot happier. I definitely recommend doing it if you’re thinking about switching.”
Categories: Feature
