Choosing a program of study is an important decision for community college students, in large measure because of the consequences it has on their future employment and earnings. Yet research indicates that many students enter community colleges without a clear idea of their intended major or how to select one. The lack of guidance provided to new and continuing students, along with the wide range of program offerings, means that many students may not consider unfamiliar high-value programs of study, such as those in STEM fields.
Using the first wave of survey data from students attending four community colleges in California, Maryland, Ohio, and Texas during their first two months of college, this report from the Community College Research Center examines how students think about choosing a program of study, their certainty about their choice, and how well their educational and career goals align at the start of their college experience.