It’s a common myth: choose the “right” major, and your dream career will naturally follow. But the truth? Your major is just one part of your career story. Many successful professionals work in fields that are so-called “unrelated” to their undergraduate degrees. 

What really matters? Transferable skills. The critical thinking you develop in a philosophy major? Great for business strategy. The research skills from a history major? Perfect for marketing. The communication skills from an English major? Valuable in every profession. The learning outcomes of a Kalamazoo College education? Exactly what NACE says employers are looking for!

A study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that employers prioritize skills over majors: 

“Employers say they place the greatest value on demonstrated proficiency in skills that cut across all majors—such as written and oral communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings. In fact, most employers say these cross-cutting skills are more important to an individual’s success than their undergraduate major.” 

— Falling Short? College Learning and Career Readiness, AACU, 2015 

Of course, some careers require specific degrees (medicine, engineering, etc.), but for most fields, your major is just one piece of the puzzle. What truly sets you apart is the skills you’ve built both in and out of the classroom–in short, experience. Class group projects, individual research papers, athletics, internships, campus leadership, and networking all help shape your career path—and that path isn’t a straight line (which is a good thing!). 

So, as we reflect after Declaration of Major Day, remember that your major doesn’t define your destiny. Explore your next steps: 

• Check out the Explore Your Path Beyond K dashboard to see where K grads from 2016-2023 have landed. 
• If/when you check out the What Can I Do With This Major? resource to discover career possibilities, remember, it’s NOT an exhaustive list, but just a possible place to start. 
• Take a career assessment to better understand your values, interests, and strengths. 
• Connect with alumni in your major to hear their career stories. 
• Visit the Career Studio or schedule a career coaching appointment to chat with a peer or professional staff member.