Students face the future

Students who know exactly what their major will be when they get to college are rare to come by. There are many who think they know their intended major when they come to UB, but one too-hard physics or English class can change that in a second. For those who are undecided, picking a major out of 115 departments can be especially challenging.

Brian Mutt, an undecided freshman, voiced a common concern of selecting a major only to change it halfway through an undergraduate career.

"You know you're going to have to do a lot of work," he said. "A student can choose a major and work hard only to end up switching to something else. It's overwhelming if you declare something," Mutt said

For the students who may be having a difficult time choosing a major, the Student Advising Services, (SAS) and Career Services focuses on assisting students facing this challenge. Both centers are valuable resources of information which help undecided students identify their interests and set them on a path for future employment.

SAS Senior Academic Advisor Jerry Godwin acknowledged that initially identifying a major is not always easy, and involves careful examination of personal interests, natural talents, goals, the importance of money, and things that make you go "hmm."

"It's a process," he said. "Which involves introspection and outward inspection. It involves students coming in and beginning to ask questions," Godwin said.

Godwin also suggested for students to search online and peruse companies, which may be of interest. In researching companies, students can gain a better idea of a path of study to follow.

"Most complex organizations have complex needs," said Godwin. "For example, it may not be apparent they need people in communication or writers."

In addition, books such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Department of Labor, and UB's site on how to choose a major are good resources to find out more about majors, skill requirements, and careers.

Dr. Dan Ryan, the director of Career Services said that in order to choose a major, students must think ahead and have a grasp on where they hope to be after graduation.

"Start with the end in mind," Ryan said. "Think of your goals and where you want to be."

To help students cross the finish line, Career Services offers a number of programs and information, including a Majors and Career Night, Meet a Mentor, online assessment tools, and Alumni Career Reality Videos.

As an undecided freshman, Jessie Zak took advantage of some of these services.

"I attended the Career Fair and also talked to an advisor about requirements and prerequisites," Zak said. "It was really helpful."

Visiting the counselors at both SAS and Career Services was also helpful to Katie Zobel, a junior business major.

"I always thought I would go into a medical profession," Zobel said. "But after taking chemistry I decided it wasn't for me."

After talking to family and friends and meeting with counselors, she is still happy with her final decision.

"It was something that I thought I'd like to do and it seemed to fit a lot of my skills," said Zobel. "I'm still not exactly sure what I'm going to do, but with the skills I have acquired, I am confident I have enough to be successful."

Because many employers look for qualities within a student and their area of study, it is this acquisition of skills, which matters in the end.

"A university wasn't meant to be a vocational training ground," said Godwin. "A school should teach you how to think and understand the world's problems."

Why would it be difficult for a student to enter college with an undecided major?

"-There isn't a class undecided majors have to take to help them decide what they want to do."

Sarah Hoffarth, Junior, Communication/Sociology

"Students whol will come in with an undecided majors will not know what classes to take."

Lauren Krasnoff, Sophomore, Occupational Therapy

-"I don't think it would be difficult. You can just start to get gen eds out of the way while you find out what you want to do."

James Jufer, Freshmen, Undecided

-"I think it is not that difficult for a person coming into college with an undecided major. All they have to do is take some classes and find out what they enjoy the most. They can choose from Math, English, Science and many other subjects."

Julixa Campusano, Sophomore, International Business