DUS News - January 31, 2022

News: 

Exploration Series Topic #3: How Do Majors Relate to Careers?

As you reflect on the connection between your interests and particular majors, we ask you to consider how the process of major choice connects to a career. Choosing a major is not the same thing as choosing a career path. Rather, a well-thought-out choice in major, coupled with meaningful experiences outside of the classroom, can lead to a whole host of career paths directly or indirectly related to your major title. Search career options and interests through My Next Move, and see how alumni connect their major to careers through LinkedIn to start your exploration today. 

To Do: 

  • Browse the My Next Move resource and write down a list of careers to talk about with your adviser
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Filter through over 420,000 Penn State alumni to see their major to career connections
  • Make an appointment with your adviser to discuss your findings
  • Utilize Career Services for help in building your LinkedIn Profile

Last week's topic: How Do I Connect My Interests to Penn State Majors? 

Next week's topic: How Do I Make Decisions? 

 

Schedule an Advising Appointment

You can schedule an appointment with your DUS adviser (at University Park and at some campus locations) online via Starfish. To do this, log in to Starfish, and click the "My Success Network" icon on your homepage to display your personalized network. This channel lists the people and resources that are available to assist you, including your assigned DUS academic adviser. If online scheduling is enabled, you will see a link to make an appointment (if not, you can always contact your adviser or your advising office directly).

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Pre-Law Advising

Are you considering law school? If so, you may know that law schools do not have any preferred majors or require any pre-requisite courses. DUS students interested in law school should work closely with their advisers to find a major that is a good fit for their strengths and interests that will help them build strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.   

Pre-Law Advising is housed in DUS and has resources available to all students who are interested in law school. Start learning more about law school and how to prepare by attending a Pre-Law Orientation Session. To find out about other law-related events across the University, sign up for the Pre-Law Advising listserv. 

 

Events and Announcements: 

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.

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

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

Pre-Law Information Sessions

University Park

Students thinking about going to law school should sign up for an information session before scheduling an individual appointment with the pre-law adviser. Two kinds of sessions are available throughout the semester: “Pre-Law Orientation” and “Applying to Law School.” See details, dates/times, and registration instructions at Pre-Law Information Sessions webpage. All of the sessions will be held via Zoom webinar this semester. Note: These sessions fill quickly.