Full Paper: Exploring the Engineering Major Decision Journey through First-Year Seminars

Choosing an engineering major is a critical decision for many first-year students, and departmental seminars play an essential role in informing this process. At Texas Tech University, the Engineering Seminar is a required course in the common first-year curriculum for all engineering majors. One of the reasons for the common first year curriculum is providing students an opportunity to switch majors based on knowledge covered in the engineering seminar course. However, the effectiveness of these seminars in conveying relevant information—such as real-world impact, career opportunities, and sustainability considerations—remains underexplored. This study surveyed 211 students enrolled in the Spring 2025 sections of the first-year engineering seminar to evaluate how presentations of each department influenced major selection and understanding of engineering disciplines. The survey assessed factors including clarity around engineering's societal impact, the role of environmental and social considerations, and student preferences regarding seminar delivery. Open-ended responses also captured suggestions for improvement. Findings indicate that while most students found the seminars helpful and engaging, they expressed interest in more interactive formats, clearer information on curriculum and career paths, and opportunities to hear directly from students or alumni. These results inform a set of actionable recommendations to enhance the seminar experience and support confident, informed academic decisions.