Major Exploration/Career Direction

• Four Year Career Plan

• How to Choose a Major Tip Sheet

• Academic Advising

• Career Services staff

• Office of Student Engagement and Success

• FOCUS (Access Code: racers | This is a self-paced, career and education planning tool that enables you to self-assess your career relevant personal qualities and explore career fields and major areas of study that are most compatible with your assessment results.) 

• My Next Move (Evaluate interests as they relate to career choice)

• 16Personalities (Evaluate strengths and weaknesses, suitable careers, approach to relationships based on personality)

• Murray State Majors and Minors

• What Can I do with a Major in...?

• Learn How to Become...

• Majors Search (Princeton Review)

• Buzzfile (find employers by major and location)

• O*Net

• Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Pathways after a Bachelor's Degree (US Census)

1. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about the external and internal factors that get in the way of choosing a major and career path. Career Services will also help you prepare and look for a part-time job, internship and full-time job.

2. Take available assessments with Career Services: Assessments (free!) help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

3. Research majors & careers of interest: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?. Review the list of available majors and minors at MSU (review course requirements) and review RACR Audit.

4. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Evaluate the information you have gathered and discuss an academic plan with your advisor. Find your advisor’s name via the Academics tab and Student Profile box on myGate.

5. Try out courses in your major of interest & get involved: This is a process and changes will occur as you explore courses and get involved on campus. Your career counselor and advisor are available to you throughout your time at Murray State.

1. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about the external and internal factors that get in the way of choosing a major and career path. Career Services will also help you prepare and look for a part-time job, internship and full-time job.

2. Take available assessments with Career Services: Assessments (free!) help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

3. Research majors & careers of interest: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?. Review the list of available majors and minors at MSU (review course requirements) and review RACR Audit.

4. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Evaluate the information you have gathered and discuss an academic plan with your advisor. Find your advisor’s name via the Academics tab and Student Profile box on myGate.

5. Try out courses in your major of interest & get involved: This is a process and changes will occur as you explore courses and get involved on campus. Your career counselor and advisor are available to you throughout your time at Murray State.

1. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about the external and internal factors that get in the way of choosing a major and career path. Career Services will also help you prepare and look for a part-time job, internship and full-time job.

2. Take available assessments with Career Services: Most majors do not directly align with careers, so this process may identify a unique way to use your major. Assessments (free!) help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

3. Research majors & typical (& not typical) career paths: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?.

4. Meet with professionals & faculty in your field(s) of interest: Talk with faculty in your discipline as they know how your major is often used in the world of work. Set-up informational interviews and job shadowing to see work in action with professionals.

5. Intern (several times): You've researched it and talked to people about it. Now, try it out for yourself with an internship! Not only can this confirm a career of interest, but the experience makes you more competitive for jobs.

What Can I do with a Major in...?

1. Make an appointment with the Retention Office: The Retention Office staff will help you evaluate all areas that may be contributing to your situation, and they will help you formulate a plan of action that leads toward success.

2. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Your Academic Advisor will make sure you know how to change your major and what forms need to be completed.

3. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about external and internal factors that get in the way of choosing a major and career path. Career Services will help you select assessments to help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

4. Research majors & careers of interest: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?. Review the list of available majors and minors at MSU (review course requirements) and review RACR Audit. 

5. Meet with your NEW Academic Advisor & Create Plan: Establish a positive relationship with your new advisor and develop a plan for moving forward with a new major successfully.

1. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about the external and internal factors that get in the way of choosing a major and career path. Career Services will also help you prepare and look for a part-time job, internship and full-time job.

2. Take available assessments with Career Services: Assessments (free!) help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

3. Research majors & careers of interest: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?. Review the list of available majors and minors at MSU (review course requirements) and review RACR Audit.

4. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Evaluate the information you have gathered and discuss an academic plan with your advisor. Find your advisor’s name via the Academics tab and Student Profile box on myGate.

5. Try out courses in your major of interest & get involved: This is a process and changes will occur as you explore courses and get involved on campus. Your career counselor and advisor are available to you throughout your time at Murray State.

1. Make an appointment with Career Services: A career counselor will talk with you about strategies to choose a major and career path that is a fit for you. You may have done this before, but as you develop and learn new things about yourself, it’s good to revisit this conversation.

2. Take available assessments with Career Services: Assessments (free!) help you purposefully evaluate how your interests, skills, values and personality align with various majors and career paths.

3. Research majors & careers of interest: Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook and What Can I do with a Major in…?. Review the list of available majors and minors at MSU (review course requirements) and review RACR Audit.

4. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Evaluate the information you have gathered and discuss an academic plan with your advisor. Find your advisor’s name via the Academics tab and Student Profile box on myGate.

5. Try out courses in your major of interest & get involved: This is a process and changes will occur as you explore courses and get involved on campus. Your career counselor and advisor are available to you throughout your time at Murray State.

Contact the Office of Student Engagement and Success 

You sound overwhelmed. We can help. The Office of Student Engagement and Success staff will help you evaluate all areas that may be contributing to your situation, and they will help you formulate a plan of action that leads toward success. The Office of Student Engagement and Success helps you address concerns including but not limited to…

• campus involvement

• family obligations

• financial concerns

• homesickness

• major/career direction

• roommate issues

• study habits/tips

• time management

They can put you in touch with the correct resources that may include…

• Academic Advising

• Career Services

• Financial Aid

• Scholarships

• Tutoring

• University Counseling Services

• Women’s Center

Submit a Retention Selfie and someone will contact you soon. You can also contact them directly at msu.success@murraystate.eduor 270.809.5344.