Transfer deadline is Thursday, and the anticipation of transferring or registering for fall 2018 is leaving many students wondering if their major is right for them.
The seminar in the Great Hall informed students of what they can do with their major and how to pick the right one.
English instructor Brad Saenz coordinated the event with the Student Rights and Resources Organization.
Saenz said the organization is a peer mentor group that helps students know their rights, but it also informs them of the resources available on campus, such as the Transfer Center, career and personal counselors and financial aid assistance.
“It’s information that students need to know for themselves and for their academic career to know what resources we have here at Pierce,” Saenz said.
Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter was one of speakers at the event.
Salter presented the value of being strategic when choosing a major for transfer. She said a lot of students are unaware of the importance of selecting a major, not just for personal interest, but also so they can be accepted to a school they want.
“You need to look at the competitiveness of the major and whether it is impacted or not,” Salter said. “You also need to think about what you will learn as a result of studying that major. Is it something that you will carry with you into the workforce? Are you going to be successful studying the subject, or will it be a challenge for you to keep grades up?”
Salter said lower grades reduces a student’s chance of being accepted into graduate schools, and it may also reduce internship or job opportunities.
“If you can choose a major that plays to your strengths, you can find a university where you can find success. This can help propel you into lots of different potential careers,” Salter said.
Saenz said students don’t know how to decide on a major, and they don’t see the connection between career and major.
Saenz said the speakers provided information to help make those decisions, and also make sure students know that they are resources to help them.
“One of the most important things about events like this is the opportunity to see how student-friendly the counselors are,” Saenz said. “It help to get students thinking about important things like major selection.”
Anthropology major Anna Bogdanovic is a member of the Student Rights and Resources Organization and she said this is the first semester she has been extracurricularly involved on campus.
She said it was a good experience to help put the event together, and she learned a lot by attending the seminar.
Bogdanovic said she learned that people often choose majors solely based on what they think will make them the most money, not realizing that there are a lot of other factors, and they have a lot of opportunities once they choose the right major.