The Center for Student Success (CSS) sponsored its annual Majors Fair and Ex Ed Expo last Wednesday, October 5 in Anacon Hall from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, where all academic departments and schools were represented.
The fair’s goal was to provide awareness of the school’s various majors and minors, and to give undeclared students the ability to communicate with representatives from each department.
The fair benefited students who are undeclared the most, because professors and students within the major were available to speak with, according to the Dean of Center for Student Success (CSS), Mercy Azeke.
Handouts from the departments were given to help students identify what they are interested in and how to get started. Most of the conversations were about internships and how to pursue prospective jobs.
The fair included sections for each of the University’s academic schools, as well as experiential education opportunities, such as class projects, cooperative education, internships, service learning, and study abroad.
Andrew Demirjian, a Specialist Professor of Communication, said he thinks that the fair is important.
“Students don’t realize what a resource the faculty can be,” Demirjian said. “For future job growth, or help with combining majors and minors, or even to help employers see the essential skills necessary for a job.”
Peter Matano, a senior and Computer Science Major, said that undeclared students should attend the fair and explore their options.
“It’s important to pick a field that you love or that you are passionate about, so you don’t get tired of it,” Matano said. “Don’t be afraid to apply, or try for an internship. It’s important to understand that a job is a mutual agreement and that employers are looking for you, just like you are looking for them.”
Evelyn Hampton, Secretary in the Chemistry, Medical Technology and Physics Department, said that her department is in need of students.
“There is a national shortage of medical technicians,” Hampton said. “In addition to jobs being widely available to students who major in this department, there is a large tuition reduction because the fourth semester is done on site as a medical technician intern.”
Students who graduate from this department also tend to have high starting salaries and advancement in the field is quick, Hampton added.
Dr. William Schrieber, also of the Chemistry, Medical Technology and Physics department, said students are getting what they need here.
According to Azeke, the fair is productive because it is one of the few times all the departments are gathered into one location, available for students to interview with. Also students that have not completed their Ex Ed credit can find out what Study Abroad is, what their likes and dislikes are for internships, and can even learn about professional edict, when looking for a job.
Jean Judge, Assistant Dean of the CSS, said that the fair greatly opens the eyes of students to all possibilities at the University.
CSS employees said that they recommend that undeclared students go to the multiple workshops that their department offers for undecided students, as well as declared students who wonder what types of jobs are open to them. Workshops will be offered on the lower level of the Student Center, as well as in Elmwood and Mullaney Halls.