Abstract
Upon enrolling in a university, students must choose a major. For some students this may be straightforward; for others the decision-making process can be stressful. The degree selection process is an important personal step for every student, starting the trajectory of their career development. From a university’s perspective, students’ degree major selection impacts academic and operational factors, such as faculty enrolments, revenue, funding and courses offered in various degree programmes. In this research study, we explore how undergraduate students decide on a degree major, with a specific focus on Information Systems. Interviews were conducted with 25 undergraduate students and data was analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Findings reveal key decision-making influences: career aspirations, prior experience and interests, family background and high school influence. Implications from this study include the need for demystifying initiatives for high school students, and outreach engagement with teachers and career counsellors, along with developing impactful presentations to communicate the value and relevance of Information Systems studies.
Recommended Citation
Inthiran, Anushia and Zakkaroff, Constantine, "How I Decided on My Major: The Decision-Making Process of
Undergraduate Students In New Zealand" (2025). ACIS 2025 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2025/1