Once you've done some decision-making, you can begin to gather information on majors and careers that match your strengths. You might want to learn about... Specific majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs and their requirements Career options with a given major Information about career fields, specific occupations, labor market and job trends, and the workplace

Resource Center
Located in Wilson 303, the Career & Academic Planning Resource Center maintains books and Internet exploration resources. Whether your questions are "What can I do with a major in English?" or "What's the job outlook for a public relations specialist?" or anything in between, the Resource Center can help you find what you're looking for. The Resource Center has staff available to assist you with your exploration. Tours of the Resource Center are also offered on a daily basis. You can schedule a tour online.

Informational Interviewing
One of the best ways to explore an academic program or career is to talk to someone in that field. Faculty members are great resources for exploring JMU majors and minors and even some career fields. Make an appointment to talk to a faculty member about programs that interest you. Not sure who to contact? Access a list of JMU majors and minors and their contacts. You may also use departmental websites and even the JMU phone book to identify faculty.

Most professionals are willing to share information about their career path and industry. JMU alumni are great resources to explore careers of interest. You can contact alumni through the Alumni Network.

Majors Fair
Held once a year in the spring, representatives from academic departments are available in one location to answer questions and share information. The Career Fairs page provides more information about our annual Majors Fair.

Career Fairs
Several career fairs are held throughout the year, providing students with the chance to talk with representatives from a variety of employers. Use these opportunities to ask employers about their field, job, organization and more. The Career Fairs page displays where and when these fairs take place.

FOCUS
FOCUS is your source for self-assessment tests and career info online! Complete self-assessment tests on: your career planning status, interests, values, educational preferences, personality, skills, or leisure time preferences. You can also create a personal needs checklist, compare careers, look up salary/job outlook information, see the pros and cons of different careers based on your likes and dislikes, and save your results for future reference! Get started with FOCUS now.

Internet Resources
The Internet is a great tool for exploration. You may find these sites of particular interest in your exploration.
O*Net http://online.onetcenter.org/
Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Career Guide to JMU Majors http://www.jmu.edu/cap/career_guide/
FOCUS http://www.jmu.edu/cap/resource_center/focus.htm
JMU Undergraduate Catalog http://www.jmu.edu/catalog/
JMU Academic websites http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/fs/academics.shtml
JMU Alumni Employment Surveys http://www.jmu.edu/instresrch/surveydata.shtml
Carrier Library http://www.lib.jmu.edu/
The Riley Guide http://www.rileyguide.com/careers.html
WetFeet Careers & Industries http://www.wetfeet.com/research/careers.asp
Get Involved at JMU http://www.jmu.edu/cap/job_intern_search/campus_opportunities.htm