Major transitions: how college students interpret the process of changing fields of study

Abstract

Selecting a major is one of the most consequential decisions a student will make in college. Though major selection is often conceived of as a discrete choice made at a particular point in time, many students change their majors at least once during college. This article examines the process of changing majors as a key education transition. Drawing from 38 interviews with college students at a public university in the USA who changed their declared major, this study explores the ways they make meaning of transitions between fields of study. Specifically, I ask: How do students describe their experiences navigating the process of switching college majors? Six themes emerged in relation to three phases of transition: endings, neutral zones, and new beginnings. These themes provide new understandings of students’ meaning making about their experiences moving between majors. In doing so, this study (1) demonstrates the value of studying major change as an important educational transition and (2) sheds light on the potential for employing theories of transition to understand non-normative and non-linear transitions in higher education. Implications for higher education research and practice are discussed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10734-023-01050-8.

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“…It reinforces their decision-making skills and assists them in finding their own path rather than offering instructions or readymade solutions [2]. Educational counseling has a profound impact on student's lives and futures [3], as the choice of a specific field of study upon entering higher education holds immense weight in shaping a student's career path and can significantly impact the likelihood of securing employment in a related field, as well as the potential for long-term career growth and success [4][5][6]. This makes educational counseling a fundamental component in establishing a smooth connection between the realms of academia and the professional sphere [7].…”