Written by Layanne (she/her), student
You’re interested in people. Not just who they are, but why they think the way they do. Why societies change. How certain stories, cultures, languages, and experiences shape the world around us.
Or maybe you’re creative and want to explore art, music, theatre, communication, media, or writing.
Or you might have multiple interests and no idea which one will become a career.
But how do you actually choose a program?
Reflect on the things that interest you most
When choosing a university program, it’s easy to imagine the specific job title you want.
However, society is always evolving and so are careers. Many of today’s students (like you) will work in jobs that don’t exist yet, change industries throughout their careers, or follow paths they can’t predict right now. That’s normal.
That’s why it can be helpful to lead with something simpler: your interests. What challenges do you like to think about? What topics fascinate you?
Take a moment to consider what you’re really drawn to – not just what you think you “should” be interested in.
Ask yourself:
- Are you fascinated by people and human behaviour?
- Do you enjoy discussing politics, law, social issues, and making an impact?
- Are you passionate about storytelling, communication, language, and media?
- Do you love creating, performing, and expressing yourself in artistic ways?
- Are you curious about history, culture, religion, and big ideas?
- Are you interested in business, finance, or entrepreneurship?
The subjects you’re naturally drawn to can be a good clue as to which Arts program you’ll enjoy and thrive in the most!
Think about skills you want to develop
While your interests can help point you towards a program, it’s also worth thinking about the skills you want to build along the way. Keep in mind that building a skill takes repetition, discipline, and consistent effort. Though challenging, it becomes far easier to practice when that practice is driven by your interest.
With the world changing so quickly and new technologies constantly emerging, employers increasingly look for human-centered skills that technology can’t easily replace, such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. These valuable skills are at the heart of an Arts education.
In any of the programs offered by Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts, you can gain those skills along with deep subject matter expertise, valuable human-centered skills, and opportunities to apply your learning through experiential learning. If you choose a program with co-op, that learning can also extend into the workplace as you alternate between work terms and study terms.
We’re really focused on developing human-centered skills — judgment and decision-making — so that students can go out and contribute to the workplace and weather the storm of shifting careers, given that many jobs of the future don’t even exist yet.
In any of the programs offered by Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts, you can gain those skills along with deep subject matter expertise, valuable human-centered skills, and opportunities to apply your learning through experiential learning. If you choose a program with co-op, that learning can also extend into the workplace as you alternate between work terms and study terms.
Choose an entry program to support your interests and goals
Once you’ve identified your interests and the skills you want to develop, it’s easier to decide which entry program you want to apply for. Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts offers six unique entry programs to choose from.
If you have several interests and want a flexibile degree with a broad knowledge foundation, consider Honours Arts. In this program, you’ll choose from 29 majors which each allow you to dive deeply into the topics that interest you most and take lots of electives. If you’re considering a double major, this program is likely the best choice for you.
If you want to develop foundational business skills to pair with your primary interest, consider Honours Arts and Business. In this program, you’ll take business courses and gain practical business skills alongside one of 28 Arts majors*.
If you love creating and are interested in a career at the intersection of technology, art and business, consider Global Business and Digital Arts. This interdisciplinary program combines digital media, design, communication, business, and technologies like generative AI.
If you’re passionate about helping others and want to create positive change for individuals and communities, consider the Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double Degree. This unique program, offered through Renison University College, combines the study of social issues, human development, social justice, and social work education Social Development Studies is also offered as a major within Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
If you’re already confident that finance is your focus, consider one of three programs:
- Accounting and Financial Management
- Computing and Financial Management
- Sustainability and Financial Management
These programs are more specialized from the start and are perfect for students with a strong interest in finance, accounting, analytics, technology, or sustainability.
Interested in Finance and Science? Explore Science and Financial Management offered by the Faculty of Science.
Choose a major
If you’re pursuing Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business, you’ll need to choose a major. The best part? You don’t have to choose it right away. In fact, you can’t declare a major until after you start your program. So, if you’re still deciding, don’t worry!
In Waterloo’s Honours Arts and Honours Arts and Business programs, you don’t directly enter a major. Instead, you’ll spend your first year exploring different courses, then declare your major before entering your second year. This gives you time to discover what genuinely interests you, where your strengths lie, and which path feels like the right fit.
As an Arts and Business student myself, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore different subjects before choosing a major. The courses I enjoyed most in first year weren’t necessarily the ones I expected to enjoy when I first applied.
Whether you arrive with a clear plan or are unsure of what to study, you’ll appreciate the flexibility of exploring your options before deciding.
Which of these sounds most like you?
By now, you’ve thought about your interests, the skills you’d like to gain, and the entry program that’s right for you. If you’re in Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business, the final step is exploring potential majors.
Based on your earlier reflections, what subjects interest you the most? Learn more about the programs, skills, and career paths connected to them. The programs that align with your goals, interests, and future plans are the ones worth exploring!
If you’re fascinated by people and human behaviour
You might like exploring:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Social Development Studies
- Sexualities, Relationships, and Families
These programs focus on understanding human behaviour, relationships, communities, societies, and social change. You'll develop skills in research, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. You may be interested in careers in healthcare, social services, human resources, research, community development, and more.
If you’re interested in politics, law, social issues, and making an impact
You might like exploring:
These programs dive into power, policy, social issues, justice, and the systems that shape our world. You'll build leadership, communication, analytical thinking, and decision-making skills. You may be interested in careers in government, law, public policy, advocacy, consulting, international affairs, and more.
If you love stories, writing, communication, media, and language
You might like exploring:
- English (choose from Creative and Professional Writing; Literature; Literature and Rhetoric; or Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication)
- Communication Studies (or Communication Arts and Design Practice)
- French
These programs explore how people create, communicate, and interpret ideas through language, media, storytelling, and culture. You'll develop strong writing, communication, creative thinking, and media literacy skills. You may be interested in careers in marketing, graphic design, communications, public relations, publishing, journalism, media, content creation, and more.
If you’re creative and want to express yourself in artistic ways
You might like exploring:
- Fine Arts (choose Studio Practice or Visual Culture)
- Music
- Theatre and Performance
These programs involve artistic exploration, creative practice, and critical thinking. You'll develop skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, and project management. You may be interested in careers in the arts, culture, design, media, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and other creative industries.
If you’re curious about history, culture, religion, and big ideas
You might like exploring:
- History
- Philosophy
- Religion, Culture, and Spirituality
- Medieval Studies
- Liberal Studies
- Classical Studies (or Classics)
These programs help you examine how people have understood and shaped the world throughout history. You'll develop skills in research, analysis, communication, and critical thinking. You may be interested in careers in education, research, public service, government, law, cultural organizations, and more.
Ready to begin your journey?
Here are some resources to help you along the way:
- Check out these cool stories from Arts students.
- Want a real person to answer your questions? Connect with the Arts Recruitment Team!
- Explore how the skills you'll gain from an Arts degree will help your career thrive.
- Connect with a current Arts student through Ask a Warrior.
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