How do you get there?

Determine the:

Career Plan: After you have researched various careers and decided on an occupation that best matches your talents, create a career plan. Use the Career Planning Process to assist you in developing your career plan and reaching your career goals. A good career plan includes a clear, concise statement about your objectives, how you expect to accomplish your objectives, and the time frame for accomplishing your goals. When creating a career plan consider the following factors:

Education: What are the educational requirements for the career you are considering? Does the career require an undergraduate, graduate and/or a professional degree? Information about educational background can be found at the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

The University of Wisconsin System includes 13 freshman-sophomore colleges, 13 comprehensive universities and UW-Extension. For more information about UW System institutions and how to enroll, visit our admission area.

Major: Consider what you should major in while at college. For some career avenues the college major is clear; if you want to be a civil engineer, major in civil engineering. Social workers major in social work and nurses major in nursing.

However, for other types of careers the relationship between college major and occupation is less clear. In some cases, there may be more than one major that leads to a specific career. Research the major you are considering by contacting the specific academic department which offers the program, or visit What Can I Do With A Major In... The College Major Validation will also help you identify occupations related to a major. Each University of Wisconsin System campus has a catalog which includes detailed information on majors.

For a listing of majors, minors and submajors visit MajorMania, a searchable database containing the UW System's undergraduate programs. For additional assistance, contact a HELP adviser at 800-442-6459 or via e-mail at help@learn.uwsa.edu.

Costs: Determine the costs involved with your career plan. In many cases, financial aid is available for students. However, it may not cover all the costs related to college. As a result you and your family may have to prioritize your finances to accomplish your career goals. To learn how to apply for financial aid review Paying for College.