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The University of New Mexico

Support with your STEM degree

  1. Determine your end goal. For example, what is your desired career or the purpose of you pursuing an undergraduate degree?
  2. Speak with your advisors, professors, fellow students, and professionals for their thoughts on the best pathway to attain this goal. In other words, which classes should you be in, what actives are recommended to be a part of, is your chose major the best for this pathway, etc.
  1. Click HERE for a brief overview of the High-Impact Educational Practices, an Excerpt from High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access to Them, and Why They Matter, by George D. Kuh (AAC&U, 2008). The main points summarized are:
    • High-Impact Educational Practices: A Brief Overview
    • First-Year Seminars and Experiences
    • Common Intellectual Experiences
    • Learning Communities
    • Writing-Intensive Courses
    • Collaborative Assignments and Projects
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Diversity/Global Learning
    • Service Learning, Community-Based Learning
    • Internships
    • Capstone Courses and Projects
  2. STEM Gateways 8 Tips for Success (click HERE for more)
    • Ask questions. Ask thousands of questions!
    • Meet people in your major as soon as possible
    • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are highly connected
    • Keep your goals in sight
    • Our friends profoundly influence our values and expectations
    • Don’t miss class
    • College policies and procedures are complicated and are not always explained in terms that make sense to new students
    • Enroll in a PLF Supported course at UNM
  3. You can find a “Road Map to Success” on the second page of THIS brochure by the Center for Academic Excellence & Leadership Development .
  • Why study STEM? Georgetown did a cumulative study on workforce opportunities for those with and without STEM degrees. Check it out HERE
  • Read about STEM-UP at CNM’s STEM Career Information HERE
  • Learn about New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Occupational Bulletin for Science & Engineering Jobs in New Mexico HERE
  • Thinking about a STEM Career, HERE are 7 things to know
The STEM Collaborative Center has compiled words of wisdom from those who have gone before you. Here are the tips and strategies from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) majors from a panel of Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate students at UNM.  Additionally, read about the advice from our mentors who are STEM Professionals and Peer-Mentors on our Mentoring page. 

  • STEM fields can be difficult, but extremely rewarding.
  • Ask for help when you need it – humility is a good thing, humiliating yourself because you don’t ask for help is not.
  • Learn everything you can – even if you don’t use it in class or on the job, it will formulate the basis of your knowledge and make learning new subject matter easier. This includes other non-science courses.
  • Take initiative/be proactive – confused or the information wasn’t given to you? Try to find it on your own, don’t wait around until it is handed to you or asked for. Make yourself stand out in the crowd. Then, and only then, ask for help if you still need it.
  • Don’t settle and don’t give up – even if you are tired, keep at it and do quality work. Your work represents you.
  • Reflect on your inspirations and goals.
  • Intelligence isn't as important as you think it is.
  • Focus more on learning than grades.