One of the most important questions you will explore while at college is, "Who Am I?" Knowing who you are informs what you do in life. The Counseling Center offers career counseling to aid students with their personal career exploration. Career counseling assists students in better understanding how their values, interests, skills, passions and world outlook influence their career decisions.
Career counseling assists students in exploring majors and careers where they might find satisfaction. Students at all points in their career exploration process (e.g. those who "undecided," those looking to switch major, and those looking to better understand how to apply themselves in their already chosen fields) are invited to participate in career counseling.
Students are encouraged to schedule a confidential appointment with a career counselor to determine which of the following services might best aid them in their career needs. Students can participate in individual career counseling, attend a career exploration workshop/group, or do both.
The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 414-288-7172 or by dropping by the Counseling Center in Room 204 of Holthusen Hall.
Individual Career Counseling
Students attend career counseling to do some of the following:
- Discuss how to pick a major or a career.
- Take a career assessment instrument.
- Explore what kind of work might be satisfying.
- Narrow their interests.
- Research different majors and occupations.
- Discuss academic struggles.
- Learn decision-making skills, especially as related to significant choices like one's major or career direction.
- Explore other issues (stress, family, finances, etc.) which may make it difficult to focus on choosing a major or career.
Career Exploration Workshops
At least once a semester, the Counseling Center offers a Career Exploration Workshop Series. Over 4-6 weeks, a small group of students will meet once a week to:
Identify and Clarify: your career interests, values, strengths/abilities...
Normalize: hear and learn from other students who are in a similar situation
(have no idea what to major in, experience parental pressure to enter
a specific field, etc.)...
Inspire: witnessing others experience growth and progress in their career
journeys can inspire hope that we will also find the answers we are
looking for...
Discuss: energizing conversations with peers, facilitated by the workshop leader,
about career-related topics...
Gain Information: about decision-making models, resources for learning more
about specific occupations, benefit from the questions asked by others...
Create: a personalized "next steps" plan for your career path
Presentations on career counseling topics can also be requested by student organizations and university faculty and staff. Such requests should be directed to the Coordinator of Career Counseling at the Counseling Center (414) 288-7172. Those interested in joining a workshop series should contact the Counseling Center to determine when the next group starts and learn how to sign up.
The Counseling Center offers a variety of assessment instruments to aid students in exploring how their interests, values, and personality characteristics relate to various academic majors and occupation alternatives. Two widely used instruments are the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
The Strong Interest Inventory measures interests in a broad range of occupations, work and leisure activities, and academic subjects. Results compare the student's interest patterns with the interest patterns of individuals in a variety of different occupations.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator measures personality preferences and is used to help students increase their understanding of how personality influences career decision- making. Results help students identify and explore occupations that are attractive to their individual personality preferences.
The assessment process typically involves an initial meeting with a counselor, who will help identify which instruments and/or activities are most appropriate, as well as 1-3 additional sessions to interpret the results of the instrument(s) in a manner that is relevant to real life and each student's unique and specific needs.
Undergraduate Majors by College: Students seeking an undergraduate degree at Marquette University may choose from over 50 undergraduate majors, which are grouped by college.
Graduate and Professional Programs: Marquette University offers 35 graduate programs, which include more than 20 degrees and certificates to choose from.
What can I do with this Major?: Students may find viewing MyPlan.com's site regarding "What can I do with a Major in...?" to be helpful.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: This handbook, compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, is revised every two years. Over 250 occupations are described covering about 85% of all workers. Information includes career descriptions, required skills, working conditions, employment outlook, training and advancement, earnings, related occupations, and more.
O*NET: Occupational Information Network: An up-to-date information source on over 1,100 careers. Provides cross-reference information to other career resources. Also includes a skills search.
BrainTrack: BrainTrack's Career Guide helps visitors evaluate career options through a guide offering data on hundreds of careers that typically require higher education for entry or advancement. This website includes a "Career Voices" section that interviews individuals in different careers and career experts who discuss various career-related topics.
Wisconsin's WORKnet: This website provides specific information regarding jobs in Wisconsin as well as the work environment in the state. Through this site, students can explore jobs available in Wisconsin and look up salary information and economic trends for each of the various counties in the state.
Informational Interviewing: Want to gather career information from those who are actually doing the job? Arrange an informational interview and check out this article to determine questions to ask and more.
Career Services Center: Visit our Career Services Center to discuss internships, practice interviewing skills, get help writing a resume, meet with potential employers, etc. It is never too early to stop by their office.
CAREER CONTACTS IN THE ACADEMIC COLLEGES
- Arts & Science
Arts & Science Advising Center
Marquette Hall 208
414-288-5989
- Business
Mr. Dan Ortego or Ms. Karen
Reinhart
2nd Floor of Straz Hall
414-288-7927
- Communication Ms. Susan Clinton
Director of Student Records/Advising
414-288-7702
- Dentistry
Mr. Brian Trecek
Director of Admissions
414-288-3532
- Education
Ms. Tina McNamara
Director of Undergraduate Advising
414- 288-6981
- Engineering
- Mr. Chris Perez
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
414-288-6000
- Graduate Studies
Mr. Craig Pierce
Assistant Dean of Graduate School
414- 288-5740
- Health Sciences
Ms. Michelle Schuh
Assistant Dean
414- 288-5053
Director of Admissions/Recruitment
414- 288-8062
or
Pre-Law Advisor, Klingler College
414- 288-3256
- Nursing
Ms. Marissa Wesley
Academic Advising Coordinator
414- 288-3827
WEB RESOURCES
OTHER CAMPUS RESOURCES
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is dedicated to promoting the psychological health of students at Marquette University. We offer mental health services to be able to respond to the emotional and career exploration needs of undergraduate, graduate and professional college students, and the prevention resources to reinforce healthy development.