How to explore majors from home

Staying motivated to find your major can be really tough if you are not on campus. Thankfully, there are many ways to explore what CU has to offer from afar using a variety of campus resources. Here are a few helpful tips while you’re navigating which major to pursue. 

Ask other students questions about their majors

I have found that talking to others about their own majors is a great way to get perspective on different subject areas out there. As a student in the Program in Exploratory Studies, you have access to peer advisors. They are a great resource to talk to because many of them have completed the IUT process and have a variety of different backgrounds. If you’re interested in getting in contact with a peer advisor you can reach out to your advisor or you can visit the PES Facebook page.

Meet with your advisor

Even though classes are remote, advisors are still working hard every day to make sure students get the help they need. It’s not too late to set up an advising appointment to chat with your advisor about the next steps. If you feel confused or just want to explore potential paths, your advisor is the perfect place to start. They are here to help you solidify your plan to have a successful academic career. 

Career Services is open

If you’re looking for more advice on how to get started in the professional world, schedule a remote appointment with Career Services through Handshake. These 30-minute appointments are designed to help you, so prepare for the meeting by thinking about future career topics or questions you’d like to discuss. 

Virtual Informational Interviews

Conducting virtual informational interviews is a great way to obtain "insider" information about majors and career fields. Find an occupation or major that you’re interested in and see what connections you have to that field. You can find contacts through school, friends, family or places where you work. 

Once you identify the person you want to speak to, contact them via email to see if they are willing to chat with you over the phone about their job or major experience. Make sure you research the company or person beforehand to develop a list of questions to ask during the interview. Keep in mind that an informational interview is about seeking information on a career field or career path; it’s not a job interview. Lastly, write a summary of your informational interview for your records. Building up a collection of these summaries will help you understand each job and position better.

There are many ways to still explore from home even though in-person contact is limited. Use your resources and creativity to gain the best insight for your future using these few tips!