Major Influences

“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

It’s a question most of us have been asked since we began articulating semi-coherent syllables. Some people seem to know from birth what they want to do with their lives. Others go through a few fits and starts before figuring it out—even beginning college without quite knowing in which direction to head. Fortunately for Rice students, there’s room here for both. Students at Rice don’t have to declare a major until the beginning of their junior year. Also, Rice students have the option of double or triple majoring, giving them a flexible and diverse interdisciplinary education that will serve them well in the future. And since studies have shown that a large number of American adults change careers four to five times in their lives, today’s English and philosophy major just may be tomorrow’s architect.
In this issue of Class, we’ll follow Catherine, Jennine, Marc, Adaba, Aaliya, and Alessandra along the way as they choose and pursue their major areas of study.

by M. Yvonne Taylor
Photographs by Tommy LaVergne and Jeff Fitlow