Are you still exploring majors or careers? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
EXPLORE helps you discover how your interests, strengths, skills and values connect to majors and careers. Through four steps, you’ll work with the Academic Advising Center and Career Services to explore your options, build confidence in your choices and create an academic plan that supports your goals at NIU and beyond.
Complete the EXPLORE pre-assessment survey to share your interests and goals.
These short assessments will help you identify your interests, skills, values and personality preferences and connect them to potential majors and careers.
Return to Huskie Career Launchpad and follow the instructions for Career Counseling Appointment to schedule your meeting.
You’ll review your assessment results, explore majors and careers, and discuss how your interests and strengths connect to your options.
After your career counseling meeting, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor through Navigate.
Together, you’ll discuss possible majors, review requirements and a recommended timeline for declaring a major, and plan courses for the upcoming semester. You’ll also complete a short follow-up survey and identify your next steps.
Your advisor can help you identify your goals, choose courses and connect with campus resources. Continue meeting with your advisor as your interests develop.
You must meet with your advisor before registering for courses. Check your NIU student email for updates and schedule your appointment before your registration time.
As you consider majors at NIU, remember that some have limited admissions and require you to meet specific criteria. Discuss these requirements with your advisor early so you can plan ahead.
Pay attention to the subjects, assignments and activities that interest you. Your courses can help you discover new possibilities while building technical, communication and time-management skills that are valuable in many professions.
Explore NIU’s student and professional organizations to discover interests, develop skills and connect with people who share your goals.
You can also learn about a career by talking with someone who works in the field. Ask about their daily responsibilities, educational background and advice for students.
COUN 211: Career Planning is a three-credit course that can help you explore majors and careers while approaching career planning as a lifelong process.
Use these exploratory tracks to learn about major requirements and careers associated with broad areas of interest. Bring your questions and ideas to your career counseling and advising meetings.
Use these tools to build on your EXPLORE experience and prepare questions for your advisor or career counselor.
Academic Advising Center
Peters Campus Life Building, room 260
815-753-2573
815-753-2902 (fax)
aac@niu.edu
Monday - Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, email us at aac@niu.edu.