DUS News - January 24, 2022

News: 

Exploration Series Topic #2: How Do I Connect My Interests to Penn State Majors?

We hope you've completed Exploration Series Topic #1. Now it's time to move on to connecting your interests to possible majors. Begin to filter majors by area of interest by using the Bulletin. Use How Do I Find a Major? as a guided note-taking sheet to help you with your exploration. After you've identified some majors, use the Major Exploration Worksheet to dig deeper into your interests, values, and strengths and how they relate to what you want to study.  

To Do: Complete the How Do I Find a Major Worksheet and/or the Major Exploration Worksheet linked above. Bring them with you to your next advising appointment and, start a more detailed conversation with your adviser about your major exploration.  

Next week’s topic: How Do Majors Relate to Careers?

Last week’s topic: What Do I Need to Know About Myself?

Preparing for the Career Fair

Preparing to attend the Career Fair for the first time can be overwhelming. With over 175 employers expected to attend Spring Career Days this year, it is important to do your research on what to expect, prepare your resume, and strategize for success by targeting specific organizations of interest. Penn State Career Services is a great resource for taking on the Career Fair with confidence. They offer career counseling, prep workshops, volunteer opportunities, and more. Check out your campus career services office to take advantage of similar programs and opportunities for support. Students from all campuses and colleges are welcome to attend!

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Spring Career Day

An orange sun graphic with the words Spring Career Days

Looking for a Summer 2022 Internship? Check out Spring Career Days!

All job categories on one day!
Non-Technical Full-Time, Technical Full-Time, Internship & Co-op, & Stuckeman School Career Day

January 24
11:00–4:00 p.m.
Hub Robeson Center 
University Park, PA

 

Events and Announcements: 

CIENT Involvement Fair

University Park

Are you hoping to increase your involvement on campus? Want to learn from other students about how to get involved in organizations related to Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT)? Join the CIENT ambassadors and representatives from student organizations at our virtual CIENT Involvement Fair! This is a great way to learn about organizations like Happy Valley Venture Capital and Nittany Lion Consulting Group to see what clubs interest you and how the involvement can help you in your future career. The session is taking place on Zoom - Monday, January 24, from 6:00–7:00 p.m., and is open to anyone currently in the CIENT major or any underclassman that is interested in the CIENT major. Use this link to register and attend the event.

Diversity Essay Contest

All Campuses

Full-time Penn State undergraduate students at any campus are invited to compete for scholarship awards at the 2022 S.T.A.R.T. Conference by submitting a written expression–essay, poetry, or story. Finalists will be recognized and are required to present their submissions at the S.T.A.R.T. Conference on Thursday, March 31 at the HUB on University Park's campus. For full details on the contest, including the essay question, judging criteria and submission information, visit the S.T.A.R.T Conference Essay Contest website.

Deadline to submit your entry is Thursday, January 27. 

Group Advising Sessions

University Park

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 will be held via Zoom.

Upcoming Spring 2022 Sessions

January 25, 8:00 p.m.: How To Start the Semester off on the Right Foot

Please register in advance for the January 25 session.

February 8, 8:00 p.m.: Undergraduate Research 101

Please register in advance for the February 8 session. 

March 1, 8:00 p.m.: Interested in Smeal?

Please register in advance for the March 1 session. 

March 29, 8:00 p.m.: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Please register in advance for the March 29 session. 

Study Abroad in Australia

All Campuses

Interested in a great study abroad opportunity? Join Penn State’s faculty-led summer study abroad program, Sustainability + Social Responsibility in the Visual 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.

You can also visit the SOVA Down Under website or contact the lead faculty, Dr. Angela Rothrock (arb184@psu.edu), for more information.

Apply by February 1 via the Penn State's Office of Global Programs website.

Quick Question Advising

University Park

In case you missed it, we've made a few small changes to our Quick Question Advising (QQA) process at University Park and want you to know about them.

  • All QQA is now held only via Zoom during the hours listed below. Note that this only applies to University Park. Each campus advising office manages appointments differently.
  • After you check in to the waiting room using the link below, check your Penn State email continuously for an "Adviser is Ready" notification with connection instructions for Zoom. Join the Zoom room immediately upon receiving the email. 

QQA hours for spring 2022:

Monday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Wednesday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Friday No quick question advising.

 

Click here to sign in to QQA waiting room - Please note that a DUS Adviser is only available during the times listed above. All times are Eastern Time. 

Erickson Discovery Grant

All Campuses

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 February 13, at 11:59 p.m. For more information about the grant program or to apply, visit https://urfm.psu.edu/research/erickson-discovery-grant

Presidential Leadership Academy

University Park

Are you a first-year Scholar looking for opportunities to gain valuable leadership skills?

The Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) is a three-year leadership development opportunity for a select group of students. As Academy participants, students develop leadership fundamentals to thrive in an environment in which multiple dimensions of issues are explored, diverse viewpoints are welcomed and heard, and a fully informed and respectful discourse ensues. A highlight of the Academy is a two-credit introductory seminar led by Penn State's President.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the PLA (including the application process) and meet current students and the director of the Academy. Deadline to apply is February 25, 2022.
 

Apply for the DUS Leadership Council

University Park

Do you want to develop leadership skills while helping other exploratory students find their niche in college? Do you want to give back to the DUS community while gaining professional communication skills? You may want to learn more about the DUS Leadership Council. To be invited to apply for the Leadership Council, you must be nominated by your academic adviser no later than March 1, 2022. Make an appointment with your adviser before this date to learn more about the opportunity and to ask to be formally nominated.

Eligibility requirements and more information can be found on the DUS Leadership Council website.

HealthWorks Peer Health Educator

University Park

Passionate about health and wellness? HealthWorks, a peer health education outreach program in Health Promotion and Wellness, is currently recruiting student volunteers to become Peer Health Educators. The deadline for applications is March 4, 2022. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.

The HealthWorks program offers student volunteers two unique opportunities to share and promote health information on campus. These opportunities include:

  1. One-on-one wellness services for students
  2. Outreach activities and educational workshops

To learn more about the Peer Health Educator position or HealthWorks, visit the HealthWorks website. 

Follow Us on Instagram

All Campuses

The Division of Undergraduate Studies is on Instagram! Follow us @PennState_DUS to see student/alumni stories, academic tips, events, announcements, and more. Share your own DUS story with us using #PennStateDUS for the chance to be featured.