Major/Career Exploration Checklist

Using the ideas in the table below, create a major/career exploration checklist to help you choose a major that fits your goals and interests. You do not need to complete all of these tasks, or even complete them exactly in the order shown. Rather, develop a plan that works for you.

TASK / NOTES
Meet with my EAC advisor to discuss my interests and options / Make an appointment online: advising.engin.umich.edu. / ¨
Write down anything I know about my goals, interests, top skills, and what is important to me in a major/job / Which classes/hobbies/co-curricular activities do you most enjoy? What do your family members/friends say are your top skills? What is your definition of the ideal work environment/job? / ¨
Review general career websites and UM Department websites / See EAC “Major Exploration” website list to begin. / ¨
Visit the Career Center in 3200 Student Activities Building to meet with a counselor and assess my interests / Note: Best for students who are unsure whether engineering is right for them. / ¨
Join a student
organization that will
allow me to explore an
engineering field of
interest / engin.umich.edu/college/info/students/life / ¨
Review required
courses for my
majors of interest in
the Bulletin / engin.umich.edu/college/academics/bulletin – Look under “Departments & Programs”, then “Undergraduate” and “Courses” tabs for each major. / ¨
Talk with declared students in my department(s) of interest. / EAC Peer Advisors are available at the EAC Monday-Friday from 10-5. Many departments also have peer advisors at their locations across North Campus. / ¨
Talk with a faculty member or program advisor in my department(s) of interest / EAC Faculty Advisors are available – sign up online at advising.engin.umich.edu. Or, schedule an appointment directly with the individual department. / ¨
Talk with alumni or other professionals working in my field of interest (called an informational interview), or complete a job shadowing experience. / Use personal/family contacts. Check out the “Professional Network” tab in ENGenius.Jobs to connect with alumni and what they’re doing beyond graduation. Also visit the UM Alumni Association’s Networking page: http://alumni.umich.edu/networking-tools / ¨
Register on ENGenius.Jobs, the CoE job and internship database, to review job postings for my fields of interest. Also review ECRC resources. / https://engineering-umich-csm.symplicity.com/students/ / ¨
Attend an EAC or ECRC program on career exploration, and/or corporate info sessions. / EAC’s Majors Fair is held in late January. / ¨
Attend a CoE Career Fair and talk with employers to learn more about career options / Career Fairs are held in September and January. Meet with an Engineering Career Resource Center counselor in 230 Chrysler for a resume critique before the fair. / ¨
Get an internship, job, or volunteer position in my field of interest / Use personal/family contacts, or meet with a counselor at the Engineering Career Resource Center in 230 Chrysler to get started. / ¨
When you have decided on a major, see if you are eligible to declare: http://www.engin.umich.edu/college/academics/bulletin/ug-ed/degrees#declaringoneofthedegreeprograms.
Then meet with a departmental advisor to make it official.