5 majors to explore if you identify as introverted

Whether you’ve thought about choosing your college major at length or not, you’ve probably considered which academic program both fits your goals and suits your learning style and personality. If you consider yourself more introverted, for example, you might prefer classes that allow you to sit, listen, and absorb rather than doing group activities and presenting projects. In any major, you’ll likely get a combination of many types of learning and coursework, but there are some majors that might lean a bit more toward the introverted learner. Here are some you might want to consider.

#1. Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

students study and work in a mountain setting

The Forest and Rangeland Stewardship major is ideal for the introvert who needs to recharge in nature, has a desire to preserve and protect endangered natural spaces, and knows the value of those spaces and their importance to the future of the world. In the major, you’ll learn about ecosystem changes and how forests and rangelands connect to global, ecological, and social systems. Each student is required to take a four-week summer field course at the CSU Mountain Campus, the perfect place to truly connect with nature while immersing yourself in the program and field work. Graduates of this program go on to work in nonprofit, agency, and government positions, knowing they’re working to protect irreplaceable pieces of the world (along with plenty of fresh air and great views).

#2. Neuroscience

a neuroscience student works with a professor near a brain scanner

Introverts who find themselves at their best when they’re thinking deeply and problem solving will want to explore the Neuroscience major, a challenging, interdisciplinary program that spans 10 different departments at CSU. In the major, you’ll study the nervous system – how it develops, how it is structured, and how it controls our senses, perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors in both normal and disease states. You’ll gain the ability to critically analyze and write scientific papers, along with training and work in real-world brain research. You’ll work on experiments that focus on behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and, maybe even explore brain differences between introverts and extroverts. Digging deep into your introversion takes on a whole new meaning here! Neuroscience grads can look forward to careers in a range of fields, from research to psychiatry to linguistics and medicine.

#3. English

a student reads an English textbook

Do you like to escape into fantastical worlds, get lost in books and stories, and examine how they reflect upon the real world? The English major is worth a hearty look for imaginative introverts and people who like to see the connections  in everything. In the major, you’ll explore world cultures and literatures, literary traditions, creative writing, linguistics, and beyond. You’ll discover the greatest works of literature and explore the historical, cultural, social, and economic context within, and you’ll develop the ability to critically analyze pieces of text within and beyond those contexts. You’ll also spend a significant amount of time learning how to write for a variety of audiences and scenarios. Graduates of English can go into almost any field, from journalism and communications to government work, teaching, business, and beyond, equipped with a broad world knowledge and ability to understand the world around them.

#4. Computer Science

A student and professor work on a computer chip

Tech-minded introverts and creative problem solvers will enjoy the offerings within the Computer Science major, a program that goes much broader than programming. In the major, you’ll explore the theory and architecture of computing devices, along with the tools and practices used to design and implement software. You’ll study step-by-step computational methods for solving problems by encoding, storing, tracking and transforming information. Introverted students enjoy the self-directed work and career options after graduation, which can place them in virtually any industry they have an interest in, and then provide them with the quiet space they need to really flourish.

#5. Sociology

four students have a table discussion

Introverts might overlook the Sociology major simply because of its name; anything with “social” in the title can’t be introvert-friendly, right? But that’s where this program gets you. If you love people watching and observing interactions in order to learn more about how people and groups of people operate, this is the major for you. The Sociology major focuses on the interaction between human groups and societal institutions. You’ll examine social relationships within family units in pre-industrial cultures to those within large institutions in major industrialized nations, and have opportunities to specialize in areas of interest. Grads can expect career options in research, education, nonprofit work, criminal justice, racial justice and far beyond.

Want to see more?

Take a look at our 5 majors to explore if you identify as extroverted.

SEE THE MAJORS

Prairie Smallwood

Prairie Smallwood is a writer and content creator for the Office of Admissions at Colorado State University. She is passionate about education and exploration, and knows that going to college can be both an adventure and an overwhelming experience. She aims to create content that helps students through that journey — the wonderful, the scary, and everything in between.