Helping Undecided Students Find Their Vocation

Studies show that nationwide over 50% of college students will change their major at least once, so major exploration is critical for any student from any college.

According to Tim Fitzgibbons, director of Center for Exploring Majors USI had 174 undecided freshmen, going into the 2020-2021 academic  year.  It generally takes about two or three semesters for a student to declare their major.

Fitzgibbons emphasizes to his students in his UNIV 101 class that your career seldom takes a straight trajectory. It's often a life-long series of twists and turns. 

As the Coordinator of Special Populations, Patty Beagle primarily works with the 21st Century Scholars population, helping to navigate through confusing financial aid and academic requirements.

During the stresses of the pandemic, Beagle's advise to her students is to stay in close contact with your advisor. "I see students who 'shut down' creating a deep hole that they have dig themselves out of. With some work, what looks like a difficult academic situation is not as impossible as it seems.  Talk to your advisor!  Deadlines, scholarship requirements and University policy can appear non-negotiable but ignoring the requirements can lead to larger problems." Beagle also advises Veterans, international, non-traditional, high risk, and high school agreement students.  

As a student at USI, JoEllen '91 '05 MLS was in the first experimental class of student advisors. Upon graduating, she spent years outside the University before she returned full circle to her alumni. Working with students is always about relationship building. "In taking the time to listen to the student, you open the way for some really amazing conversations. Once you develop that relationship, you can nudge them to really look at what they enjoy or why they’ve picked a particular major. As they progress along their career exploration process, I give them tools to use and add to their toolbox. I serve as their sounding board as they explore their options. I absolutely love it when they have their 'AHA' moment."
 

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