DUS News - January 20, 2020
You are back from winter break re-energized and ready to start a new semester. What have you learned about yourself since you started college? Self-exploration is an important activity on your path to choosing an area of study. Evaluating and prioritizing your interests, values, and goals are initial steps toward becoming a more self-assured and confident decision maker.
To Do: Do one or both of the activities linked above. Then, make an appointment with your academic adviser. Be sure to bring the results with you and discuss them with your adviser.
Next week’s topic: How Do I Connect My Interests to Penn State Majors?
Each year, the Division of Undergraduate Studies awards scholarships to sophomore DUS students who have exemplified thoughtful engagement with their educational decisions. The award recipients for 2020 are Vinay Singh at Penn State Lehigh Valley and Jacqueline McKeon and Alyssa Tombs at the University Park campus.
Vinay, Jacqueline, and Alyssa took advantage of their DUS experience to challenge their assumptions and find their true interests.
"I engaged in the exploratory process by signing up for classes that interested me and were challenging." —Vinay
"My adviser saw potential in my diverse interests and catered to my need to fulfill prerequisites for many majors, leading me to explore classes that had students of different majors in each and professors ready to help me in whatever ways they could." —Jacqueline
"DUS workshops changed my entire perspective on majors. They taught me that your major isn’t always going to give you a clear-cut path to a career later in life. Instead, what matters is your collection of experiences, including your major, but also clubs, internships, jobs, etc. that make you a well-rounded person." —Alyssa
- January 20 (Mon)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - No Classes - January 22 (Wed)
- DUS Group Advising Session - Tools for Success: Starting the Semester off Strong
- SoVA Down Under Info Session - January 29 (Wed)
- DUS Group Advising Session - Tools for Success: Starting the Semester off Strong - February 3 (Mon)
- DUS NSO Peer Advising Info Session - February 4–5 (Tues–Wed)
- Spring Career Days - February 5 (Wed)
- DUS Group Advising Session - Improve Your Study Skills
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
Student Disability Resources provides reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities. You can learn more about applying for these services via the SDR website. Each campus has a contact person or office; you can find yours on the Campus Contacts list.
Planning to do a research-related project over the summer? Apply for the Erickson Discovery Grant and earn money towards your project! The Rodney A. Erickson Discovery Grant Program supports undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The grants may be used to cover living expenses and project costs (supplies, materials, books, specialized software, travel for the purpose of data collection, etc.).
The application deadline is January 20 at 11:59 p.m. For more information about the grant program or to apply, visit https://undergradresearch.psu.edu/resources/opportunities/erickson-discovery-grants
Interested in a great study abroad opportunity? Join Penn State’s faculty-led summer study abroad program, Sustainable Practices in the Arts (ART 299), and earn three credits in three weeks! This course/program is open to all Penn State undergraduates, regardless of major or artistic experience. Coursework includes essays and participation in creative activities. Past participants have used this course to fulfill GA, GH, and GS general education requirements.
Come to the information session on Wednesday, January 22 at 4:00 p.m. in 210 Patterson Building to learn more! You can also visit the SOVA Down Under website or contact the lead faculty, Dr. Angela Rothrock (arb184@psu.edu), for more information.
Apply now with Penn State's Office of Global Programs (due February 1)
Penn State Learning and ENGL 250: Peer Tutoring in Writing are seeking 15 students who would be interested in sharing their personal stories of discovery and success with the Penn State community. Student narratives will be workshopped with writing tutors in training and then published in Penn State’s Short Edition dispensers. Submissions should be under 8,000 characters and will be added to the dispenser located in the Grange Building after workshopping. Interested students would commit to three writing consultations with their ENGL 250 partner at the Undergraduate Writing Center in 220 Boucke Building. The first session will focus on brainstorming, the second on reviewing and discussing a rough draft, and the third on reviewing the final draft for a public audience. These consultations would take place between February and early April; times would be chosen based on what works best for the student and writing tutor.
In partnership with the Division of Undergraduate Studies and the Penn State Libraries, the project aims to showcase student stories focused on discovery, exploration, and overcoming and/or working through adversity. Specifically, we are looking for students who are willing to share a piece of their Penn State journey with the many community members who visit the Grange Building on a daily basis. Tutors will work with students to develop narratives that illustrate the challenges, discoveries, and passions that are ultimately shaping their education.
To learn more or to nominate a student a student, contact Beth Parfitt (eep112@psu.edu), the ENGL 250 course instructor.
If you’re looking for a great way to gain leadership experience next summer, check out the DUS NSO Peer Adviser position. The DUS NSO Peer Adviser 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-nso-peer-adviser, or apply via the Penn State jobs website at https://psu.jobs/job/92687.
Questions can be directed to Tanja St. Pierre at txs181@psu.edu or Rebekka Kuhn at rcs5081@psu.edu.
Review of applications will begin on February 4.
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 for first-year students is January 24, 2020. Learn more at ufo.psu.edu/spark.
A program for second-year students is available during the fall semester.
An all-in-one mobile app is now available to help you connect and discover Penn State. The app, named Penn State Go, is the product of a University-wide initiative to improve the student experience through increased access to key resources. The app provides on-the-go, single sign-on access to key resources, including Canvas, Penn State email, shuttle bus tracking, campus maps, LionPATH, LionCash+, library services, and Starfish.
Learn more or download the app by visiting the Penn State Go website.
DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Topics include:
- Tools for Success: Starting the Semester off Strong
- Improve Your Study Skills
- Exploration Workshop
- Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities
- Interested in Smeal?
- What Gen Eds Do I Need?
- DUS Students and Study Abroad
Are you preparing for a campus career event? Take advantage of one of the upcoming opportunities offered by Career Services.
Career Services Virtual Resume Review
- Get resume help no matter where you are located.
- Thursday, January 23, 4:00–7:00 p.m.
- Online only - Register at: https://bit.ly/35Sxq9E
Career Services Career Event Prep Open House
- Individual guidance on everything career related. No appointment necessary.
- Monday, January 27, 8:00–5:00 p.m.
- Bank of America Career Services Center
- For more information, visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/programs/events-workshops
- Any student attending will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of several gift cards to the Penn State Bookstore!