Junior Year

"Students will be taking several classes in their major this year and challenging themselves with upper-division courses. They can talk to a career adviser or the school's alumni group to find a mentor and to explore internship opportunities related their major. By the end of the junior year, students should have a clear understanding of the career options for their major and some idea of career direction they would like to pursue." - From You're on Your Own (but I'm here if you need me) by Marjorie Savage. View Savage's University Parent website: www.parent.umn.edu .

Junior Year Milestones

• Complete general education requirements
  Ideally, students will have completed their liberal education requirements as well as their second language requirement. Students may use the first semester of their third year to wrap up some of this coursework, however they should be enrolled in primarily upper division courses. Students should be taking courses to fulfill the requirement of 18 credits that are upper division and outside of their major.
  When: Fall and spring semesters
  For more information: liberal education requirements
  
  
• Make substantial progress on completing requirements for the major
  Your student's schedule should emphasize courses required for the major.
  When: Fall and spring semesters
  For more information: www.class.umn.edu/mbrochures
  
  
• Make and attend advising appointments
  Students should plan to meet with their college adviser for a balance sheet appointment, where the student and adviser will review their remaining graduation requirements. Students may also want to meet with an adviser in their major department as well.
  When: Fall and spring semester
  For more information: http://ulook.umn.edu
  (Students can use ULook to schedule an advising appointment online)
  
  
• Complete 90 credits by the end of third year
  Students will need to register for at least 15 credits each semester to ensure timely graduation. After meeting with their adviser, students should register at their assigned time.
  When: Fall registration is November - December, spring registration April-May

Things to Think About All Year

• Consider doing significant individual work with a faculty member
  Students who are interested in participating in research with a faculty member should contact the department for information. Research experience can provide excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.
  
  
• Consider participating in an internship
  Paid internships and internships for credit are both available. If students are interested in receiving credit, they should talk with their major department. Internships are a great way to learn more about career paths and they are often helpful when doing a job search or applying to graduate or professional school.
  For more information: careerservices.class.umn.edu/students/
  workopportunities/index.html
  
  
• Begin investigating possible career paths
  Along with internships, students may arrange informational interviews or job shadows to get a better idea of possible careers they are interested in. They may also attend "What Can I Do With A Major In?" workshops, offered through CCLC and their student communities.
• For more information: www.cclc.umn.edu
  
  
• Investigate graduate or professional school interests
  Students who are thinking about graduate or professional school after graduation should begin to look at programs in which they may be interested. Departments can be helpful in identifying appropriate programs for students to consider. Students should be gathering information and looking into taking the GRE, MCAT, and LSAT if needed. The University offers test preparation resources.
  More information on:
  Careers: www.cclc.umn.edu
  Graduate record exam: www.gre.org
  Law school admissions www.lsat.org
  Medical college admission test: www.aamc.org/students/mcat
  
  
• Consider applying for a UROP grant
  This program is designed to give undergraduate students and faculty members the opportunity to work together on research, scholarly, or creative activities.
  For more information: http://www.urop.umn.edu
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• Explore service learning opportunities
  By enrolling in a service-learning course, students gain direct experience working on the same content, ideas, and issues discussed in class through working at a community organization several hours per week.
  For more information: www.servicelearning.umn.edu
  
  
• Apply for continuing student scholarships
  Scholarships are available for continuing students in the College of Liberal Arts. These scholarships usually become available in late fall semester with a deadline early in the spring semester.
  For more information: www.scholarships.cla.umn.edu
  
  
• Instructors' office hours
  Students should not be shy about visiting their instructors during posted office hours. Office hours are a good time to get additional help with a course, ask about research opportunities, and investigate careers in the field.