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Second-Year Plan for Success

By the conclusion of your second year of college, you will:

1.  Identify a major that aligns with your interests, values, strengths, career and educational goals
  • You will be declared within the major you have identified with

2.  Gather information related to career pathways/post-baccalaureate options that are possible with your major
  • Utilize career assessment by visiting Center for Career & Professional Advancement or meet with a career specialist
  • Schedule an informational interview or job shadowing opportunity
  • Meet with pre-health advisor at least once (if applicable)
  • Utilize faculty office hours
  • Meet with faculty mentor
  • Participate in research

3.  Know how to identify the outstanding degree requirements you need to complete and your expected graduation timeframe
  • Complete University writing requirements (ELWR, WRI 001, and CORE 001)
  • Use MyAudit and other resources, including University Catalog, School or major website, major flow-charts for course planning
  • Discuss degree requirements and progress with an academic advisor at least one time
  • Meet with an academic advisor to complete a degree check-up

4.  Explore faculty research areas and initiate conversations with those faculty whose research is of interest to you
  • Review faculty websites, read faculty publications, or otherwise investigate the research activities of faculty
  • Attend at least one research symposium  
  • Determine if an academic research experience is relevant to your career and/or educational goals
  • Determine if you will enroll in a 095, 195, 198, or a 199 course, or volunteer in a lab

5.  Continue to advance your education and career goals and personal development by participating in select co-curricular and educational opportunities and services freely available to all students at UC Merced.
  • Start to consider internship opportunities or education abroad plans
  • If desired, declare a minor
  • Schedule a follow-up meeting with a Career Specialist
  • Schedule an informational interview or job shadowing opportunity
  • Meet with pre-health advisor at least once (if applicable)
  • Utilize faculty office hours to discuss your major (not just your coursework!)
  • Meet with faculty mentor
  • Participate in research