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Selecting a major or majors is a process and takes a great deal of exploration and time! These are just a few resources that can help in this important process.
Meet with a Career Advisor
During an appointment goals, academic and non-academic interests, and specific CMU programs will be discussed. Additional resources are given at each appointment, and options for career testing can also be addressed. Students should contact the office (989.774.3068) to schedule an appointment early in their academic careers to start the process!
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) constantly updates employment statistics and information related to jobs in demand. This is a great resource to start researching how a major or specific career being targeted might fit into the work.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook contains information about hundreds of careers. Each profile has the following: what they do; work environment; how to become one; pay; and more.
Complete a Career/Self-Assessment Exercise
Try the free FOCUS assessment tool to help clarify interests, values, skills, personality, education preferences and leisure time interests. Use this information as a basis for further discussions about a choice of major and future plans with a career advisor, mentor, friends, and family members.
Decision-Making Strategies and Career Planning Success
Career Services has developed this resource for information about the making decisions and a yearly checklist for career-related activities.
Explore the Bulletin
The Bulletin--the big book that all students received at Orientation! Look through the various majors and minors offered in each of CMU’s 6 academic colleges. Read the course descriptions for the areas of interest. Follow up by visiting departmental faculty advisors to discuss specifics of each interesting major and minor. In addition to University Program and Competency classes, sample courses in departments of interest as this will give you more insight.