Students and Alumni - Major Decisions

Are you unsure about your major? Are you having trouble choosing a major? Don’t know which career is for you? To start your career exploration, make an appointment with Kathleen Adams by calling 313-593-5020 or stopping by Career Services in 2149 University Center. She will assist you with exploring your interests, abilities, and values in relation to the world-of-work.

Choosing a Major

Keep in mind that the helpfulness of impersonal, on-line career counseling is limited simply because it is impersonal. Decision-making within the career exploration process requires a personal knowledge of yourself and how you fit into the world of work. Talking with a Career Services counselor is often helpful because the counselor can help you understand what you are finding out about yourself, and can help you decide on appropriate next steps in the process.

However, the decision is yours to make...no one can tell you what to do for the rest of your life.

• Use online sites ... definitely.
• Depend on them ... limitedly.
• Know yourself ... primarily.
• Decide for yourself ... ultimately.

Steps to choose a major

1) Discover who you are:  Discovering who you are - activities are suggested and questions are asked to help you better understand your interests, abilities, values, and experiences.

2) Explore Majors:   Links to many sources of information about majors at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

3) Learn about Occupations:  Links to many reliable sources of occupational information.

4) Identify, Act, and Evaluate:  Guides the final steps in the decision making process by asking questions regarding information gathered in steps 1, 2, and 3 (above).

For more Career Planning information check out the Career Planning Class

Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library is in 2153 UC adjacent to Career Services . It houses a compilation of books, catalogs, manuals, handbooks, videos, and binders containing occupational information, career and job exploration resources. The Library also features an excellent online occupational and personal exploration assessment, and job search computer programs.