Advising Objectives

Year 1 Objectives

Explore resources on campus

• Learning Resources Center
• The Writing Center
• Mathematics Learning Center
• Chemistry Tutoring Information
• Physics and Astronomy Help Room
• Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
• Office for International Students and Scholars
• Office of Supportive Services
• Student Health Services
• Counseling Center
• University Activities Board
• Office of Cultural Academic Transitions
• Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Resource Center
• Student Veterans Information
• Women's Resource Center
• Family Resource Center

Schedule an advising appointment with major advisor or neighborhood advisor

Advisors Calendar

During the advising appointment:

1. Find out deadlines for the end of free add period and dropping a course
2. Provide an update about academic progress and modify course plan for the year if necessary
3. Discuss degree requirements
4. Opportunities for additional major/minor or degree
5. Study abroad options
6. Student engagement inventory
7. Talk about career aspirations
8. Explore careers

Students interested in professional schools should also meet with a pre-professional advisor

Students interested in health care careers need to schedule an appointment with a preprofessional advisor.

• Discuss career options in the health care field
• Talk about prerequisites and entrance exams for graduate/professional schools
• Attend Michigan Medical Schools Night event

Navigate and use online resources

• Office of the Registrar Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar Academic Programs Catalog
• Schedule of courses
• StuInfo
• Degree Navigator

Create a resume and build a career plan

• Career Network Services
• Career Handbook
• The 12 essentials of success
• Register and attend the annual Science and Health Career Boot Camp organized by the College of Natural Science in the Spring semester

Participate in student clubs and co-curricular activities

• Student Life
• Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
• Student clubs
• Volunteer opportunities

Year 2 Objectives

Schedule an advising appointment with major advisor or neighborhood advisor

• Advisors Calendar
• Discuss summer internship options
• Feedback on resume, cover letter, personal statement for summer internship applications
• Check progress toward degree
• Plan courses for the next academic year
• Plan courses till graduation

Explore resources on campus

• Learning Resources Center
• Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
• Office for International Students and Scholars
• Office of Supportive Services
• Mathematics Learning Center
• Chemistry Tutoring Information
• Physics and Astronomy Help Room
• Student Health Services
• University Activities Board
• Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions
• Counseling Center
• Office of the University Ombudsperson

Explore career and academic options post-graduation

1. Explore career resources in the College of Natural Science
   • Attend Career Boot camp and SAFE+H career fair
   • Attend Professional and Graduate School fair
   • Meet with the Internship coordinator
   • Meet with the Career Services Consultant
2. Handshake
3. Occupational Research Tools - Career Services Network
4. O*Net OnLine
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
6. Explore health careers

Discuss scholarships and awards opportunities with an advisor

• College of Natural Science Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Deans Research Scholars
• National/International Fellowships & Scholarships

Discuss on and off campus opportunities for research and internships

Prepare application materials for these opportunities.

• Undergraduate research
• Undergraduate research database
• Pathways to Science
• Institute for Broadening Participation Summer Research Experiences
• Preparing your application
  • Tips on creating a winning application
  • Writing essays and personal statements
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Enhancing your fellowship application

Students interested in professional schools should also meet with a pre-professional advisor

Students interested in healthcare careers need to schedule an appointment with a preprofessional advisor.

• Discuss career options in the Healthcare field
• Talk about prerequisites and entrance exams for graduate/professional schools
• Attend Michigan Medical Schools Night event

Discuss Study Abroad options as well as Service Learning and Alternative Spartan Breaks

• Explore options for study abroad
  • Study abroad options in the College of Natural Science
  • Study away options in the College of Natural Science
  • Contact the Study Abroad and Off-Campus Credit Program Specialist for the College of Natural Science
• Service learning
• Work study
• Alternative Spartan breaks

Forge meaningful connections

Develop a plan for forging meaningful connections during your academic journey at MSU.

Participate in student clubs and co-curricular activities

Connect with your future career by being active in student clubs, and co-curricular activities.

• Student life
• Service learning
• Student clubs
• Volunteer opportunities

Year 3 Objectives

Schedule an advising appointment with major advisor

• Advisors Calendar
• Confirm progress toward degree
• Plan courses for the next academic year
• Plan courses till graduation
• Discuss summer internship options
• Start preparing for graduate/professional school admissions tests
• Weigh your options – gap year, post baccalaureate opportunities, jobs

Work on oral and written communication skills

By presenting research you can hone your oral and written communication skills.

• Undergraduate Research
• Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (Mid-SURE)

Apply for scholarships and travel grants

Discuss applying to the various opportunities for scholarships and travel grants

• Beckman Scholars Program (discontinued)
• Deans Research Scholars
• NatSci Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Undergraduate Research Funding
• National/International Fellowships and Scholarships

Reinforce your career goals

• Write/update your resume – articulate your skills
• Work on personal statement
• Letters of recommendations/evaluations
• Attend SAFE+H career fair and Professional and Graduate school fair
• Discuss job opportunities
• Start preparing for graduate/professional school admissions tests
• Weigh your options – gap year, post baccalaureate opportunities, graduate/professional schools, jobs
• Prepare your elevator pitch (30 second commercial highlighting your skills)
• Foster professional relationships with faculty, mentors, advisors and colleagues

Year 4+ Objectives

Schedule an advising appointment with major advisor

• Advisors calendar
• Apply for graduation
• Degree check

Continue to explore career and academic options after graduation

Understand your career/academic options after graduation

• Pathways to science post baccalaureate programs
• Postbaccalaureate premedical programs
• Work on job applications or applications to graduate schools, post-baccalaureate programs, or professional schools
• Formulate a 30 second Elevator pitch and polish interviewing skills

Create a professional identity

• Know your online image – purge your online image – check privacy settings – clean online profile
• Create a LinkedIn page

Continue to foster professional relationships

Continue to foster professional relationships with faculty, mentors, advisors and colleagues