Being Undeclared at NMU

Phase One: Getting Started

Academic Adviser: An academic adviser will be assigned to you. Your adviser will assist you and monitor your progress. As part of the process, efforts will be made to connect you to campus activities and organizations, orient you to the surrounding community and keep you informed of professional events that will enhance the major/career exploration process. 

Your academic adviser will also help you assess how prepared you are for academic and career planning. Then, your adviser will work with you to develop a course of action that aligns your personal interests with your career aspirations. Some suggested activities may include:

• personal and career assessment inventories
• development of an individual career plan
• establishing a connection with faculty and community-based Web mentors
• orientation to various campus-based student organizations
• involvement with NMU’s Volunteer Center

Phase Two: Exploration

The intermediate phase will provide you the opportunity to experience and reflect upon any or all of the following:

• interview a family member whose career interests you
• attend a faculty discussion/colloquium
• participate in a career preparation workshop
• investigate potential fields of study at the academic major fair
• meet potential employers on career awareness day or at other campus/community job fairs
• visit the career resource library and discuss your findings with your adviser

Phase Three: Decision Making

In the final phase, emphasis is placed on observation of “real world” career roles that interest you. You will be encouraged to complete one or more of the following activities:

• job shadowing
• interview with a professional in your community
• internship
• part-time work or
• community service work (volunteerism)