Alternative Paths
Future-proof your life by knowing all the paths you could take!
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What is an Alternative Path?
The idea behind Alternative Paths is that by fleshing out ideas for the multiple directions your life could take, you can make more confident decisions about your future. Think of being in a maze: If you knew all the paths and where they’d lead, you would be ready to make the next step and decide where to go. Now we can’t know all about every path, but the more you know, the better you’re set up for your future.
You could think about alternatives in what you’re studying, what jobs you have, where you live, what goals you’re working toward, etc. Think about different ways your life could be different, then explore, learn, and prototype that potential version of your future. Life is always full of twists and turns, both good and bad, so having Alternative Paths will:
- Let you explore and compare your current path with other options
- Make you more resilient
- Allow you to dream
- Make transitions easier
Why have an alternative path?
Speaking of transitions, sometimes you decide it’s time for one, but other times that may be decided for you. In some programs, there are strict admission requirements (based on GPA or grades in courses), as well as limited spots (~100 each semester in nursing, ~30 each year in dental hygiene), or the time you need to get into your program of choice may be more than you want to commit to. For many reasons, the program of choice may just not be a feasible option, so alternatives are needed. The good news is there is more than one path to degree completion. Developing and reframing options through alternative paths allows for a way forward—sometimes with an end point very near to your original goal, but sometimes the result can be very different. It’s all in what you decide you want to achieve!
How do I develop one?
With a little work, you can identify and flesh out each branching path ahead of you in life. You should be asking yourself some important questions, such as: What will I study? What careers am I working toward? Where will I live? What will help me feel fulfilled and successful? You can journal about these questions, talk with trusted people in your life, or use more concrete resources like the worksheet below, but the biggest thing is to put your ideas down and start asking if you like them, if they’re realistic, and if you truly want to take that path.
Alternative Path Worksheet
Use this worksheet to create an alternative path. Then use it to make another one, then another one. Make as many as you need to explore all your options.
Tips for specific populations
There are some alternative paths to a nursing degree at UofL, so if that’s the definite end goal, you should examine those. Otherwise, there are many majors that include some elements of science, healthcare, and helping others. Think about which of these drew you to Nursing, then look for them in these options instead.
Take a look at some similar occupations to Nursing in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and talk to our Career Center about your career options!
Here are other routes to a UofL Nursing degree to know about and explore:
- Complete an RN degree somewhere outside UofL, then complete an RN to BSN program at UofL
- Search for RN programs near you and apply
- https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/nursing-rn-bsn-program-bsn/
- Complete a different major at UofL (see list below for some ideas, but any major would work), then do the Accelerated BSN program at UofL
- https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/nursing-accelerated-program-bsn/
- General Studies with track in Health and Human Studies is an especially good fit: https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/general-studies-bs/#trackrequirementstext
There are other majors that share some overlapping elements with Nursing at UofL—read about them at https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/
- Biochemistry BS
- BioEngineering BS
- Biology BA
- Biology BS
- Track in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
- Track in Biomedical Sciences
- Biology 3+3 PharmD
- Biology 3+4 DMD
- Communication Sciences and Disorders BS
- Dental Hygiene
- Exercise Physiology
- Track in Allied Health Therapies
- General Studies BS
- Health and Human Studies track
- Neuroscience BS
- Organizational Leadership & Learning
- Healthcare Leadership track
- Counseling and Human Relations track
- Public Health BA
- Public Health BS
- Psychology BS
- Philosophy
- Social Work BSW
Like Dental Hygiene, there are majors that include some elements of science, healthcare, and helping others. Think about which of these drew you to Dental Hygiene, then look for them in these options instead. Working in the dental field is very specialized, so limited options exist if that’s the true goal, but if working beyond teeth is interesting to you, see the list below for other majors to investigate.
Take a look at some similar occupations to Dental Hygiene in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and talk to our Career Center about your career options!
There are other majors that share some overlapping elements with Dental Hygiene at UofL—read about them at https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/
- Biochemistry BS
- BioEngineering BS
- Biology BA
- Biology BS
- Track in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
- Track in Biomedical Sciences
- Biology 3+3 PharmD
- Biology 3+4 DMD
- Communication Sciences and Disorders BS
- Dental Hygiene
- Exercise Physiology
- Track in Allied Health Therapies
- General Studies BS
- Health and Human Studies track
- Neuroscience BS
- Nursing
- Organizational Leadership & Learning
- Healthcare Leadership track
- Counseling and Human Relations track
- Public Health BA
- Public Health BS
- Psychology BS
- Philosophy
- Social Work BSW
If you definitely want an engineering degree, make sure you check out Applied Engineering and Computer Science BA—these degrees are more flexible and have less stringent admission requirements that the other engineering majors, so if you can meet them, this could be a good option.
Some alternatives to engineering still rely heavily on the same math-and-science backbone but others are more focused on tech and hands-on work with less reliance on traditional STEM courses. These are degrees that let you focus on building and improving the world around you.
No matter your major, you can build your tech skills through industry certifications and badges showing your competency. Investigate free options for training through the UofL Digital Transformation Center to build your knowledge and skills. These credentials show future employers you’re on the cutting edge.
You can take a look at some similar occupations to working in engineering by searching in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and talking to our Career Center about your career options!
There are other majors that share some overlapping elements with Engineering at UofL—read about them at https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/
- Applied Engineering
- Art - Graphic Design
- Chemistry
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science BA
- Economics
- Finance
- Geography
- General Studies
- Mathematics
- Middle/Secondary Education – track in Engineering Technology Education
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Career and Technical Education
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Digital Leadership/IT
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Project Management for the Modern Workforce
- Physics
- Urban Studies
If you definitely want a business degree, make sure you look into the Bachelor of Business Administration option—this degree is more flexible and has less stringent admission requirements than the other business majors, so if you can meet the BBA requirements, this could be a good option.
Otherwise, many careers in business are based on experience, not education, so majoring in anything then figuring out how to apply it to the world of business could make you at least as equipped to succeed in business as someone with a business degree—especially if the employer is more interested in thinking outside the box in who they recruit and hire.
Big parts of doing these as an alternative path to business would be finding internships and part-time jobs to build your business skills. Info about internships and jobs is at https://louisville.edu/career/internships. You can also build leadership skills in UofL student groups and community organizations. Search for groups to join at https://louisville.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations.
You can also do a minor in business to show your readiness to work in the business world. Pairing a business minor with a non-business major can give you a balanced profile and show you’re ready for anything.
You can take a look at some similar occupations to working in business by searching in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and talking to our Career Center about your career options!
There are other majors that share some overlapping elements with Business at UofL—read about them at https://catalog.louisville.edu/undergraduate/majors/
- Applied Engineering
- Art - Graphic Design
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Communication
- English
- General Studies
- Graphic Design
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Climate, Equity, and Opportunity in the Workplace
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Digital Leadership/IT
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Human Resource Development
- Organizational Leadership and Learning – track in Project Management for the Modern Workforce
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology