Colleen Kilbreath lists five benefits of creating your own major

Colleen Kilbreath lists five benefits of creating your own major

Colleen Kilbreath will be graduating this fall with degrees in Studio Art and War Experience in the Arts. But you’ll only find one of these listed on her university’s website.

After deciding to return to school, the Vermont artist elected to create her own major. Self-design degree programs exist at nearly every college yet are often overlooked. Some students fear that creating a major may hinder their post-graduate opportunities, but many don’t realize an individualized path is even an option.

Although this route isn’t right for everyone, there is value in a self-design degree. Using her experience at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire, Colleen Kilbreath shares five benefits of creating your own major.

Freedom

Don’t be restricted by cookie-cutter coursework. Self-design degree programs take an interdisciplinary approach. Students are free to explore subjects across multiple majors. In fact, this is encouraged. Through self-study, you push the boundaries and challenge yourself intellectually. This exposure helps students plan their futures more effectively. While so much choice may seem daunting on the surface, sampling a variety of learning objectives makes it easier to narrow an actual major and find a specialized path.

Accountability

With so much freedom, self-designing is a major responsibility. Since students are studying what they have selected, they naturally become more invested in their coursework. Students have to write descriptions, develop learning objectives, and outline areas of study before a major can even get approved. When Colleen Kilbreath constructed her major, she drew on her passion for depicting veterans and representing their experiences. In doing so, she increased her own accountability. Her degree is more than a piece of paper or a title. It’s a calling.

Exploration

Four years is just the beginning. A self-designed major fosters lifetime learning and career exploration. It extends beyond the classroom. Most self-study programs require internships, final projects, and other hands-on opportunities. Real-world application and skill development are placed at a premium.

Complexity

Problems and solutions are multi-faceted. One subject isn’t sufficient to address the complexities of the modern workforce. Various disciplines inform and build critical thinking and creative approaches. Problem-solving is practiced through research and diverse perspectives. Combining studies makes anyone more well-rounded and adaptable.

Preparedness

These skills translate into any career. The misconception is that self-designed degree holders have a more difficult time securing employment once they graduate. But a degree or major alone isn’t enough to earn a job. Employers value teamwork, communication, and decision-making. In addition, a self-design major often signals to potential bosses that the individual is creative, driven, and isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Of course, this also depends on what field you are applying for. As Colleen Kilbreath points out, many careers look for related courses or specific backgrounds. Yet these can be worked into almost any self-designed path.

Originally published at https://colleenkilbreath.com on August 19, 2021.