DUS News - November 13, 2017

News: 

What Are You Going To Do With That Major?

Is there a chance you’ll hear this question over break? If so, know that it can trigger some predictable responses.A research study shows that this question often makes students feel anxious and inferior, especially when their majors are not aligned with a specific career. The question, although often well-meaning, reinforces a simplistic view of education as vocational training and perpetuates the myth of a linear path between major and career. Don’t let this question cause you to simply go with the flow, and don’t let it dampen your intellectual curiosities. Take some time to reflect on how this question might be influencing your decisions. Use your adviser as a sounding board to examine if those influences are leading you on a fulfilling path.And remember: majors are not careers, and your Penn State education is more than your major.

Alternative Breaks

Next week, some Penn State students will spend fall break engaged in projects that connect their learning to real life. Are you interested in a unique and meaningful experience over a break? If so, check out Penn State Alternative Breaks. The deadline for applications for Spring break programs is December 15th.

Important Dates: 
  • October 27–November 16
    Spring 2018 registration for most DUS students
  • November 19–27
    Thanksgiving Break - No Classes
  • Friday, December 8
    Withdrawal Deadline
  • Friday, December 8
    Last Day of Classes
  • December 11-15
    Final Exams

More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.

Resource Spotlight: 
The Lion's Pantry

The Lion’s Pantry was created to address the issue of food insecurity at Penn State, University Park, and is available to students with a valid Penn State ID.

Feeding Pennsylvania has a search tool for food banks in other parts of the commonwealth.

Events and Announcements: 
Unsure How to Schedule?
University Park

Need to refresh your memory on how to schedule your classes for next semester? Come to one of the sessions below and meet with members of the DUS Leadership Council for a LionPATH refresher and other scheduling tips! Bring your laptop and learn how to enroll in courses for spring, put a course on the wait list, plan a swap, and more!

Grange Building Lobby

  • Monday, November 13, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

  • Tuesday, November 14, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

  • Wednesday, November 15, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

College Corner - Agricultural Sciences
University Park

Want the opportunity to make a face-to-face connection with a representative from each of the colleges at University Park while asking questions and finding out about the majors, minors, and special programs your college has to offer? Come to the College Corner, held every Wednesday from 1–4 p.m. in the Grange Building Lobby. Each week, a different college will have a representative present to answer general questions and provide information about their college. Note that this time is not expected to be for individual advising, but is intended for general information gathering.

This week's representative is from the College of Agricultural Sciences

Be a DUS Peer Mentor
University Park

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.

Join the New Student Orientation O-Team
University Park

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.

Group Advising Sessions
University Park

DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the fall 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. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby.

November 16: Goal Setting and Decision Making. What Do You Want To Accomplish at Penn State?

Alternative Spring Break: Intersections of Race, Sexuality, and Teen Outreach
All Campuses

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

Development and Alumni Relations Summer Internship
University Park

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 InformationApply Here

Sponsored by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations.

Grant awarded to support degree goals for low-income Penn State student parents
University Park

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

Black Lives Matter Leader Shaun King to speak Nov. 15
Berks Campus

Senior Justice Writer Shaun King is an increasingly prominent voice within the Black Lives Matter movement who will visit Penn State Berks on Nov. 15 to discuss civil rights issues, social justice and equality.  Full story