College students often do not have their major picked when they begin college, or they change their major as they go. This is generally not a problem because most colleges require students to take a set of core classes common among the various majors. Core classes are more general types of classes, and during the first two years of college, core classes often represent the majority of a student's schedule. Core classes may include such subjects as English, public speaking, economics and algebra. These classes vary by college and by program.
When a student does choose his major, he begins by taking core classes. As he progresses through college, he takes more and more concentration courses. These courses focus directly on the student's major and on what he plans to do with the degree. An accounting student, for example, begins taking concentration accounting courses. This may includes courses such as cost accounting, tax accounting and auditing. These three courses are not core courses, and for the most part only an accounting major would take them.
Concentration courses help prepare students for the real world and the job they eventually will have. Concentration courses offer an in-depth, thorough study of the subject in which the student is majoring. A student majoring in biology studies will use concentration courses to focus on subjects such as botany and physics. These courses give the student the skills and knowledge needed to have a job in the field of biology.
An internship is a temporary job obtained by a student that gives the student hands-on experience in a particular field. An intern is expected to be able to complete many aspects of the job, with the assistance and guidance of a manager. Concentration courses prepare the student to handle this internship.