SWOT Analysis

Major: Integrated Studies with emphases in English and History

Classes already taken towards major:
•All general education requirements
•HIST 3450
•ENGL 3150
•PHIL 3800

Still need to take:
•12 credits of upper division History- plan on taking Summer and Fall 2012
•12 credits of upper division English- taking 9 credits Spring 2012 and will take 3 Summer 2012
•3 credits of upper division Philosophy- plan on taking Fall 2012
•6 credits of IS classes- plan on taking 3 credits Fall 2012 and 3 credits Spring 2013
•6 credits of IS Senior Capstone classes- 3 credits Fall 2012 and 3 credits Spring 2013

STRENGTHS
•What I like best about this major is the freedom it allows me to study multiple subjects.
•The advantages of having this degree will be ability to market myself in multiple areas.
•Almost all of the courses are appealing to me. I've always been fascinated by history and am gifted with English.
•It will take me another 45ish credit hours to graduate.
•This fits into my new career plan of graduating within 3 years and having my first novel written within 4.
•This area of study fits very well with my personality, interests, values and skills. I can't think of any red flags against it.
•This major is definitely something I will enjoy, and while it isn't my only passion, I love it enough to believe I will be happy here.

WEAKNESSES
•What I like least about this major is the “extra” classes I have to take in order to graduate. When I switched my major it was nice that I already had all my generals done, but I didn't have any requirements towards this major fulfilled otherwise.
•The courses that might be a challenge for me are those that I find boring, namely the capstone classes and philosophy. I have ADD so getting me to focus is already enough of a challenge.
•This major will fit into my work/life schedule just as well as I could hope for.
•It will take me at least 2 more years to complete this degree.
•This major will absolutely prepare me for my future career.
•I did a lot of soul searching this last year and now I am very committed to this area of study. I'm “willing” to commit the time and money, I just need to get me some of each first.

OPPORTUNITIES
•This degree will prepare me for my future by building my writing portfolio and giving me insight on what to look for within the writing market (how to tailor my writing to my audience, where to go to get published, etc.)
•I don't know which doors will be opened for me yet, I'm hoping to find an internship or something in a publishing company.
•All in all I hope to gain experience and refinement of my own abilities.
•I should be able to graduate within 3 years.
•I don't personally know others in this field that have ben successful, but they are out there.
•My main mentors in this field will be my sisters as we all hope to follow this path, we can help each other as we each learn something new.

THREATS
•Financing my education is and will most likely continue to be a problem. I already have student loans, and will probably acquire some more before I'm done. I have to work every semester and receive FAFSA but its still always a struggle.
•Balancing the time is a huge challenge for me, it's been a big threat to my education in the past. If I didn't have money as a constant threat that would help my time not be as threatening, but there isn't much I can do about that. I don't have the luxury of not having to work while I'm in school.
•I don't think there are any other majors that would be more appealing to me at this point. It took me several years to settle into this one and I'm finally feeling good about it.
•Family considerations present challenges and supports. The challenges would all be emotional due to death and marriages in our family. But the supports are great: close relationship with everyone and we all want to be writers.