Exploring Roadmap

Whether you're starting out or already on a path toward a degree, UO Advising's Exploring Roadmap will help you navigate along the way to success. Below are the milestones and exploration activities you'll want to check off your list at different points in your journey.

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YEAR ONE   •   YEAR TWO   •   TRANSFER   •   YEAR THREE + BEYOND

Year 1: Explore your interests & identify your skills

Milestones

  • Complete three exploration activities (see below) to help reflect on your interests, values and skills.
  • Meet with an advisor at least twice, in two separate terms.
  • Complete a sample three term plan with an advisor.
  • Review the majors that UO offers using the course catalog.
  • Complete at least one core education course in each area of interest and one writing course.
  • Become familiar with the degree guide so you can easily understand core education requirements needed to graduate for each area of interest.
  • Make an initial decision on type of bachelor’s degree (BA, BS, other).
  • At end of year, take time to reflect on areas you’re most interested in so far.

Exploration Activities

  • Complete Major Card Sort activity. 
  • Complete Values Card Sort activity.
  • Complete the Vita Navis Career Assessment.
  • Review majors at UO and sort into categories of: “No Interest”, “Possible Interest,” “Very Interested.”
  • Take a class to learn more about a major of interest.
  • Seek input from peers already in major of interest. 
  • Seek input from friends or family members who work in fields of interest.
  • Seek input from friends or family members about your own strengths and interests.
  • Attend an open house or information session or event for a major of interest.
  • Activate Handshake and look at three postings that interest you.
  • Complete a self-assessment inventory (ONET, 16 personalities).
  • Meet with a professor in an area of interest. 
  • Meet with an academic or career advisor in a major of interest. 

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Year 2: Find your passion & Declare your major

Milestones

  • Start making progress towards BA or BS requirements (beginning math or language) and continue to complete an additional course in each area of inquiry.
  • Explore outside of the classroom: Volunteer, job shadow or join a student organization related to your interests.
  • Meet again with an advisor at least twice, in two separate terms.
  • Meet with a professor or advisor in the area you’re most interested in and check out that department’s webpages.
  • Once you’ve narrowed down your options, discuss next steps to declare/apply to the major with an advisor
  • Declare/Apply by the end of your second year!

Exploration Activities

  • Job shadow in field of interest  
  • Join a student organization related to major of interest.  
  • Volunteer for an agency or group in area of interest.  
  • Create or revise your resume, including transferable skills from high school and 1st year.

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TRANSFER STUDENTS: EXPLORING ON A FAST TRACK

Milestones

  • Complete two exploration activities (see below) to help reflect on your interests, values and skills.
  • Meet with an advisor at least twice, in two separate terms.
  • Complete a sample three term plan with an advisor.
  • Complete at least half of the core education requirements.
  • Complete both required writing courses.
  • Complete, or mostly complete, your BS or BA requirements depending on the major you plan to pursue.
  • Declare/Apply by the end of first year at UO!

Exploration Activities

First term for Junior admits and first two terms for Sophomore admits:

  • Complete Major Card Sort activity. 
  • Complete Values Card Sort activity.
  • Complete the Vita Navis Career Assessment. 
  • Review majors at UO and sort into categories of: “No Interest”, “Possible Interest,” “Very Interested.”
  • Take a class to learn more about a major of interest.
  • Seek input from peers already in major of interest. 
  • Seek input from friends or family members who work in fields of interest .
  • Seek input from friends or family members about your own strengths and interests.
  • Attend an open house or information session or event for a major of interest.
  • Activate Handshake and look at three postings that interest you.
  • Complete a self-assessment inventory (ONET, 16 personalities) 
  • Meet with a professor in an area of interest. 
  • Meet with an academic or career advisor in a major of interest.

Second or third term:

  • Job shadow in field of interest
  • Join a student organization related to major of interest
  • Volunteer for an agency or group in area of interest  
  • Create or revise your resume, including transferable skills from high school and previous institution.

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Year 3 + Beyond: THE EXPLORATION JOURNEY DOESN'T END AFTER YOU DECLARE

Milestones

  • Meet with a major advisor regularly to learn about opportunities within your department and to make sure you’re on track with degree requirements.
  • Consider opportunities like research, internships, or study abroad to get the most out of your time at UO.
  • Think about specific skills and proficiencies you’d like to develop to help with your career path.
  • Think about and explore potential minors.
  • Engage with career center resources and events.
  • Meet with a career coach.
  • Update your resume and tap into trainings available on LinkedIn Learning.

Exploration Activities

  • Do research credits in major of interest.  
  • Complete an internship in area of interest.  
  • Attend career fairs and other events to meet potential employers. 
  • Consider taking a leadership role or part-time job related to your career interests. 
  • If considering graduate school, research programs and application timelines and schedule needed entrance exams. 
  • Connect with a career readiness coach in the UO Career Center. 
  • Create a LinkedIn profile. 
  • Update resume and create a sample cover letter.

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