Introduction

Choosing a major often can be an overwhelming process. Many students feel pressured to have a quick answer for the question, "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" If you are unsure how to answer, relax. Many students enter the university each year without deciding on a major; others change their decisions during their time here. The Academic Exploration Program (AEP) is designed to give students the opportunity to explore the various majors St. Edward's University offers. By critically and creatively exploring the various academic programs St. Edward's offers, you will be better prepared to enter the ever-changing job market with confidence.

Exploring Our Majors
Many students begin college believing they must choose a major that will guarantee a specific career after graduation. Rather than prematurely selecting a major, the following are things you will consider when you explore your options as part of the program:

• You do not have to know what you want to do "for the rest of your life" in order to choose a major.
• Your choice of major will place very few limitations on your employment opportunities following graduation.
• All majors can lead to a wide variety of career paths.
• All career paths draw from a wide variety of majors.
• Your college career is not meant as four years of job training. Your liberal arts education at St. Edward's will encourage you to develop transferable skills that any employer will value: critical thinking and writing, ethical analysis, and moral reasoning.
• Most people will switch careers four to five times over the course of their lifetimes. No single major can prepare them for that type of change.
• To be a successful St. Edward's graduate, choose a major that is both interesting and challenging while complementing it with internships, volunteer service, and co-curricular activities that will develop practical skills to help you adapt to a changing world.
• For a guided exploration process, consider taking the program's one-credit seminar (First Year Seminar in the Major - AEP) during your first semester.