Developing a Personalized Roadmap: The Benefits of Declaring a CMIST Major
By Lindsay Marcellus
Declaring a major is one of the most consequential decisions undergraduate students make about their education, shaping their college experience, allowing them to synthesize their interests, and setting the foundation for their post-graduation career trajectories. Whether they ultimately plan to pursue a career in government, politics, or the private sector, students who declare one of the three majors offered by the Carnegie Mellon Institute of Strategy and Technology (CMIST) learn the skills needed to positively impact society. They also meet people with similar interests and gain access to personalized advising and opportunities for experiential learning. We asked CMIST sophomores to share their experiences with the declaration process and how declaring in their first year has influenced their academic journey.
As 一本道无码’s home for the study of political science and international relations, CMIST offers courses spanning topics in international and domestic politics, economic policy, and the impact of emerging technologies on national and international security. “I was drawn to CMIST because I have always been very interested in politics and CMIST offers many amazing classes in the political sphere,” said Eli Half, who is majoring in international relations and political science with an additional major in statistics.
Students find that the expertise of CMIST faculty members is complemented by the diverse set of experiences they bring to the classroom. “When researching schools, what specifically stood out to me regarding CMIST was that it's a department with people with invaluable lived experience in their respective fields,” said Isaac Young, who is pursuing a major in international relations and political science with a minor in American politics and law. He noted that opportunities to study comparative politics with a professor who has met with several Latin American presidents and to take a voting rights course with a non-partisan expert who has been involved in evaluating and redrawing congressional districts have “been indispensable.”
Whether through coursework or opportunities for professional development, students also appreciate CMIST faculty members’ guidance and encouragement. “The professors at CMIST have been incredibly supportive throughout my academic journey,” said Natalia Rodriguez, who is majoring in economics and politics with a minor in business analytics and optimization.
The sense of community with other students, advisors, and faculty translates into academic and professional growth. “CMIST is truly an amazing place to study,” said Zach Berger, who is pursuing majors in international relations and political science and decision science, along with a minor in American politics and law. Berger shared that as a sophomore, he is already engaged in research and applying the skills taught in CMIST courses to his internship search.
“CMIST's ability to connect us to professional experience is virtually unmatched,” said Justin Lee, citing frequent guest speakers, opportunities to collaborate on research with faculty, and the ability to spend a semester interning and taking classes in Washington, DC.
From opportunities for professional development to tailored academic advising by Deputy Director for Academic Affairs Emily Half, students find that declaring a major in the spring semester of their first year helps them focus their interests and plan effectively for their future. “Declaring my major early on allowed me to really personalize my own roadmap in terms of what courses I took,” said Lee, who is majoring in political science, security, and technology with an additional major in economics and statistics.
“Declaring your major opens up so many benefits,” said Berger, specifying that it looks good on applications, makes it easier to plan course schedules, and gives students access to more personalized opportunities.
“This early planning has allowed me to make the most of my time in college and better prepare for my future career,” added Rodriguez.
First-year students in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences are permitted to declare their majors beginning Monday, January 27. Students interested in discussing or declaring the major in international relations and political science, political science, security, and technology, or economics and politics should contact Emily Half, CMIST deputy director.