How To Explore Majors
Major exploration is a multi-phase process that includes self-exploration and career exploration. Follow these directions in order or skip around as needed.
1. Self Exploration
Explore and consider your interests, skills, and values.
Ask yourself questions such as, "What subjects excite you?", "What are your natural inclinations?", "What kind of lifestyle do you desire?"
Make connections between aspects of yourself and majors/careers.
Students can make an appointment through Handshake to visit the Career Center and take self-assessments to help with this process.
Get Involved
Using Explore Engineering, search for organizations, design teams, professional societies, and research opportunities to connect with others and learn more about yourself.
2. Major Exploration
Engineering Majors
- Narrow down majors using the Explore Engineering tool to see descriptions, interest areas, and specific degree requirements
- Enroll into ENGE 1004: Explore Engineering in the spring where students will participate in a seminar-style experience guided by representatives from different engineering disciplines to learn more about the programs offered by the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech to aid the change of major process.
- Consider related engineering majors. See related options using Explore Engineering.
- Review our Change of Major/Minor webiste for a complete list of the requirements and steps necessary to officially declare an engineering major.
All Virginia Tech Majors
- Review the list of all the Virginia Tech majors. To narrow your options based on interests, view the section "Majors by Interest Area"
- Narrow down majors using the Explore Engineering tool, specifically the Related Majors
- Consider major restrictions. There are two types of majors at Virginia Tech, restricted and non-restricted. Restricted majors have specific criteria students must meet to be eligible to declare.
- Switching out of engineering to another Virginia Tech major? Review the steps to change out of engineering website or seek transitional advising for support.
3. Career Exploration
Search various Virginia Tech degree programs on the First Destination Post-Grad Report. In this self-reported survey, view Hokies' post-graduation plans, including employers, locations, salaries, and more.
Browse careers on the Occupational Outlook Handbook, or MyNextMove and find in-depth information on specific careers, educational requirements, earning data, and projected employment trends. Find additional resources on the Engineering Career Resources.
View Virginia Tech Alumni on LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, search "Virginia Tech" and select the university's page. Next, click on "alumni" on the menu under the header.
Updated: September 2022