DUS News - October 10, 2022
We know you want to be able to support yourself once you graduate. We also know that there’s a relationship between what you do after graduation and what you choose to study. But guess what? The relationship isn't as simple as you might think. According to LinkedIn economist Guy Berger, "a college degree used to slot you into a 40-year career. Now it's just an entry-level point to your first job." There are a lot of career paths that you haven't heard of yet and a variety of majors that lead to an array of careers. Moreover, the skills employers most want in their new employees don't come from a specific major but from the whole educational experience. Our advice? Seek out what you're good at and what you care about, then use the resources at Penn State to connect your interests, talents, and skills to your future possibilities.
Want to explore, but don't have time to take an entire course in a potential major? Here are some ways you can explore on your own:
- Look through a major's website to gain a deeper understanding of that major.
- Read a major's upper-level course descriptions in the Bulletin.
- Sit in on a lecture in a relevant course. Pro Tip: Ask the professor ahead of time; set up a specific date.
- Find out if there is a club related to this major. Attend the club's talks and events. Make sure to listen and ask questions.
- Visit faculty members during their office hours. Prepare a list of questions before you go.
- Find job shadowing and other opportunities for hands-on experience. Think about how a major will help you contribute to society. Does it feel like a good fit for you?
- September 26 – October 16
- Final Exam Conflict Filing Period - October 10 (Mon.)
- Poetry from M.R. Chibbi Orduña - October 11 (Tues.)
- Coming Out Day: Come One, Come All Celebration
- HHD Majors and Minors Night
- Study Smarter Workshop - October 12 (Wed.)
- Smeal Snack and Schedule - October 14 (Fri.)
- Cultural Night: Los Bomberos de la Calle - October 18 (Tues.)
- Liberal Arts Advising To-Go Tuesday
- Integrated Master of Accounting Program
- Study Smarter Workshop - October 19 (Wed.)
- Deadline to Submit Student Engagement Expo Proposal
- International Pronouns Day
College is a major time of transition when many students find that they need new tools to support their wellness. Whether you are struggling with academic stress, homesickness, relationship issues, depression, or another mental health concern, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff are here to support you. CAPS offers a wide range of services for students. Find out more about how to get started with CAPS!
Recognize, support, and celebrate coming out with the Center! Join the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) on Tuesday, October 11, from 3:00–7:00 p.m., at HUB LL011 for light refreshments and resources.
Go to the CSGD website to find resources and more LGBTQ+ History Month events at Penn State.
Attention DUS students! It's time to get your game on when it comes to your academic plan! At HHD's annual "Get Your Game On" Majors and Minors Night for pre-major students, faculty, academic advisers, and current students will be on hand to answer your questions about all of HHD's majors and minors.
When: Tuesday, October 11, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Where: HHD Atrium (HHD Building Lobby)
There will be information, snacks, and prizes—everything you need to make sure that you get in the game and are in it to win it when it comes to choosing options in HHD that are right for you.
Are you bound for the Smeal College of Business? Come talk to Smeal Student Mentors about the best way to schedule your classes for spring semester! Come and go as you please, and feel free to bring your laptop for personalized help.
When: Wednesday, October 12, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Where: Business Building Atrium
Interested in Accounting? Learn about the Integrated Undergraduate–Graduate (IUG) Master of Accounting (MAcc) program at Smeal! Smeal's MAcc program provides the education necessary to be licensed as a CPA after five years of study at Penn State. The program is a good fit for highly-motivated students who know as of their second year that they want to pursue a career in public accounting and earn a CPA license upon graduating.
Sign up to attend an info session on Tuesday, October 18, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. via Zoom, or to receive more information about the Integrated MAcc program.
Tight on time? Leaning towards majors in the College of the Liberal Arts? Take advantage of Advising To-Go! You'll find multiple Liberal Arts advisers in one centrally-located place.
Tuesday, October 18, 1:00–4:00 p.m. EDT, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, HUB-Robeson Center (across from the Penn State Bookstore)
Tuesday, October 25, 4:00–7:00 p.m. EDT, E128A Paterno Library (near Starbucks)
The Student Engagement Network (SEN) is hosting the 6th annual Student Engagement Expo on Wednesday, November, 2022, in the HUB-Robeson Center at University Park, and you can be part of the event! All students are welcome to participate in this in-person event, but there is limited space. Learn more about the Student Engagement Expo, or submit a proposal for a poster, lightning, or performance presentation by the deadline on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022.
The Food and Housing Needs Survey is open through October 21. Take the survey at https://bit.ly/food-housing-survey for a chance to win an Amazon gift card in an amount up to $50. The University is seeking your input—whether or not you have had trouble meeting basic needs—to guide future initiatives around housing and food insecurity.
The DUS Scholarship recognizes and awards $1,000 to outstanding DUS second-year students who have engaged meaningfully in exploring their academic options. If you are a second-year student enrolled in DUS (at any campus) with a GPA of 3.50 or above, we encourage you to apply. For complete details and how to apply, visit the DUS Scholarships page on the DUS website. Applications are due by Sunday, October 30, 2022.
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. For more information on each session visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Fall 2022 Sessions
All sessions are at 4:00 p.m. ET and held in the Grange Building Lobby.
November 1: Explore and Find the Right Major for You
There are three ways you can talk with a DUS adviser at University Park (Note: DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are being offered where you are):
- 20–30 minute scheduled appointment with your assigned adviser over Zoom or in person.
- Quick Question Advising with any DUS adviser over Zoom or in person. No appointment is needed. Quick Question Advising will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00–3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9:00–11:00 a.m. You can find the link to the Zoom room on the DUS appointments webpage.
- Email your assigned adviser.
Have a question that can be resolved in a short 5–10 minute conversation? Join us for Quick Question Advising in person or via Zoom on the dates and times below. Some of these topics include: discussing adding/dropping courses within deadlines; getting a form signed; using LionPATH; reviewing entrance-to-major requirements; learning about general education information not related to schedule planning; and transferring credits. Quick Question Advising is not intended for in-depth conversations.
For students enrolled in DUS:
- Email your assigned adviser. Use your Penn State email.
- Come to the Grange Building lobby or click here for Quick Question Advising via Zoom. Please note that a DUS adviser is only available during the times listed below. All times are Eastern Time.
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
For students not enrolled in DUS:
- Use our online form to submit a question. Use your Penn State email.
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.