What’s the secret to choosing the right major?

If you’re a student and are unsure of which field of study to pick, you’re not alone.* According to one article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, an estimated 80% of students will switch their major at some point during their undergraduate years. Combined with navigating many new challenges of college life, many new arrivals find the prospect of mapping out their future daunting.  

Mount Mary’s Compass Year program is designed to remove the stress and uncertainty from this decision by allowing students to explore different interests and possible career paths early in the college experience.  

This unique program has continued to grow since its inception, with “undecided” representing one of the largest majors on campus for undergraduates. Compass Year encourages exploration of passions, interests, personality traits and personal values, while building community with like-minded peers. As the name suggests, the Compass Year program is a navigation tool designed to provide direction, structure and support to students as they figure out their chosen path.  

“Many students share with us that Compass Year is the reason why they came to Mount Mary,” shares career specialist Rezonn Dahlin-Klein, citing the popularity of this program among new students. 

“Community is a major part of the program,” adds program co-director Beth Felch. New students begin the fall semester with a 3-day “jumpstart,” which provides the opportunity to build a connection to their peers and the campus before classes begin. This includes getting to know campus and making new friends through fun activities and field trips.  

The major features guest speakers, visits to workplaces in a variety of different industries and hands-on learning experiences. Students are also encouraged to go beyond by conducting informational interviews and job shadowing professionals in their fields of interest.  

“Students get to see careers that they might have never known existed before” says Felch, pointing to examples like the financial industry and law, areas where first generation students may have no previous knowledge or connections. Other spotlights have included women business owners and those working in fields of science or technology. 

Compass Year takes into account a student’s cultural background and family influences while simultaneously encouraging students to ask themselves questions about what brings them individual meaning and purpose. Felch describes the rewarding experience of watching students gain confidence and thrive as they uncover their interests and passions. 

“You can see it on their faces when they find their thing and everything just clicks into place,” she says. 

With a number of success stories to celebrate and others unfolding, the Compass Year program continues to provide an invaluable map for success to undecided students. Visit https://mtmary.edu/majors-programs/undecided/index.html to learn more. 

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