Exploration Community
The exploration community is a great choice for students who are unsure of their major or career direction. Through resources and conversations, we can help you discover career options that connect to your interests, values, and skills.
On this page:
Community Resources
It’s important that you invest the necessary time and energy into the career decision making process so you can make well-informed decisions that will lead to career fulfillment and life satisfaction.
These career decision making components can help in your journey of defining who you are and where you want to be. Our career advisors are happy to meet with you to provide individualized support in making choices of majors and careers as well as developing your plans for the future.
1 – Self Reflection
Ask Yourself:
- What do I like to do?
- What are my strengths?
- What do I want out of a career?
- What classes, jobs, and activities have I enjoyed and why?
2 – Career Assessments
Complete Career Assessments:
- Review your results with a career advisor
- Explore your interests, values, and skills
- Identify potential majors and careers
3 – Major and Career Research
Utilize Various Resources:
- Visit websites of UWM majors – explore courses & requirements
- Read descriptions of careers and watch related videos
- Shadow and talk to people in jobs that interest you
- Experience careers with part-time jobs, volunteering & internships
4 – Decision Making & Goal Setting
Make a Tentative or Definite Decision:
- Talk with a career advisor to clarify your next steps
- Meet with an academic advisor to develop an academic plan
- Set goals and use resources for your academic success
- Build your skills through on & off campus experiences
Find your career potential with Career Assessments
Career assessments can help by clarifying one’s identity and career goals, connecting their interests, values, and skills to potential majors and careers, as well as expanding, narrowing, or confirming their options.
We recommend completing a variety of assessments, conducting thorough career research, and consulting with a career advisor to discuss results and plan your next steps.
Career Assessments
- Career Cruising – Available to UWM students/alumni. Contact us to request a required username/password.
- MyPlan – Available to UWM students/alumni. Enter license code 7VMVWUPS after creating your account.
- ONet Interest Profiler – No specific login needed
- CareerZone – No specific login needed
We recommend you schedule an appointment with a career advisor to review your results.
Research Online
- Review UWM Majors and department websites
- What can I do with a major in…
- Read career descriptions: ONET, OOH, CareerWise
- Look at job postings for careers you’re considering: Indeed
Speak With Others
- Meet with an Academic Advisor about the major’s requirements
- Talk with professionals in careers of interest
- Attend Career Fairs to talk with employers about majors/careers
Informational interviews are conversations that you initiate with a person working in a career or company in which you are interested.
They are valuable for exploring careers, preparing for a future career, and searching for internships and job. The objective is not to ask about job openings, but to gain first-hand information and expand your network of contacts.
The benefits of an informational interview include gaining firsthand insights into the daily aspects of a career, industry, or organization, discovering new career paths, acquiring insider knowledge for preparing and securing your first position, and expanding your professional network through meaningful connections.
Meet your Advisors
Associate Director of Career Counseling & Academic Partnerships
lpeyton@uwm.edu
Senior Career Counselor
walkel@uwm.edu