DUS News - December 11, 2017
Continuing to Explore Over Break
Winter break can be the perfect time to continue to explore various pathways to help in your major and career decision making. One way you can do this is by talking to people within your field of interest through an informational interview. Informational interviews allow you to gather relevant information to help you make an informed career and major choice. Whether it is interviewing a faculty member associated with a major you are considering or a family friend with an interesting job, most people love talking about their career path. Start to gather information about majors, and connect with people of interest today.
Leave of Absence
Are you considering taking some time off next semester? If so, you may want to think about filing a Leave of Absence, which allows you to return to the University without having to apply for re-enrollment and without having to change your academic program. If this is something you are pondering, please talk to your academic adviser as soon as possible, as there are still items that need to be considered (ie. Student Aid). The deadline to file a Leave of Absence for Spring 2018 is Friday, January 5, 2018.
Declaring Your Major...also known as ...Update Academics
If you have reached a decision about your choice of major and meet the qualifications to enter that major, you can use “Update Academics” in LionPATH to process a change into your major. Be aware, the "Update Academics" function on LionPATH will be turned off between December 15 and January 5.
Academic Review
Keep checking your Penn State email. You will receive an Academic Review from your Adviser during winter break, which will contain feedback about your schedule for the spring semester.
- December 11–15
Final Exams - December 22–January 1
DUS offices closed - January 8
First day of classes - Spring Semester
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
Are you feeling stress with finals here and the end of the semester looming? Be kind to yourself, take a break for a few minutes. Visit the DUSuccess website for resources on anxiety and stress or walk over to the PSU Libraries for De-Stress Fest. We here at DUS wish you the best of luck with finals and take care!
Interested in doing research or possibly studying abroad at some point in your academic career? Consider applying for the Spark Program. SPARK is a 7-week educational experience discussing funded opportunities for research or study abroad. Participants will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to help them take ownership of their undergraduate career and become competitive applicants, as well as leaders in their fields. Presenters include Penn State’s current and past fellowship recipients and key faculty on campus. Dinner is provided at every session/presentation.
Topics include:
- Undergraduate research and internships
- Leadership and civic engagement
- Working with faculty
- Writing a personal statement
Application deadline is January 12, 2018. Learn more at ufo.psu.edu/spark.
If you’re looking for a great way to gain leadership experience next summer, check-out the DUS Peer Mentor position. The DUS Peer Mentor team will play an important role in helping to promote a positive awareness of the exploratory educational experience and well-informed decision making before entering colleges/majors. To learn more about the role, visit https://dus.psu.edu/dus-peer-mentor or apply via the PSU jobs website at https://psu.jobs/job/74237
If you have any questions, direct them to Courtney Karmelita at cec5032@psu.edu.
Interested in helping join the Class of 2022 to Penn State? Join the Orientation Team! We are seeking diverse, dedicated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and motivated students to join our 2018 Orientation Team (OTeam). New Student Orientation (NSO) begins the transition to Penn State and the OTeam makes the difference for new students and their families. Members of the OTeam will serve as group facilitators, resource persons, role models, and ambassadors for Penn State during NSO. You can learn more about the Orientation Team by visiting oteam.psu.edu.
Join us as we work with the Valley Youth House to provide wrap-around services to local youth who may be home insecure or facing homelessness. Learn how Valley Youth House works to support teens by creating a foundation for success through programming focused on LGBTQ pride and support, substance abuse counseling, emergency shelter, developing independent living skills, transitional housing, in-school programs, and prevention strategies.
Learn more at: http://sites.psu.edu/alternativebreaks/alternative-spring-break-asb/ (Trip 8) - Applications Due Friday, December 15
The Valley Youth House is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania
The Division of Development and Alumni Relations Summer Internship Program is an eleven-week program for students or recent graduates interested in learning more about a career in fundraising and nonprofit work. This experience immerses selected individual in the workings of a development office at Penn State’s University Park campus. It enables participants to learn about the fundraising profession while gaining firsthand experience assisting the operations of a development office. By coupling hands-on work with traditional classroom learning, the internship is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and the skills to embark on a career in higher education development or nonprofit work.
Applications Due Tuesday, January 2, 2018
More Information | Apply Here
Sponsored by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations.
Penn State has been awarded an $824,768 CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide financial assistance for child care to qualifying low-income undergraduate and graduate student parents at University Park and 20 additional campus locations. Full story