DUS News - October 12, 2020

News: 
The Major-Career Relationship

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. "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.

How to Explore Without Taking a Class

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 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?
Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 
Career Services

Discover and work toward a meaningful career pathway by using Penn State Career Services! http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/

Resources include:

  • Career Counseling and Coaching
  • Resume Reviews
  • Mock Interviews
  • Workshops and Career Fairs
  • Nittany Lion Career Network and On-Campus Recruiting
  • Career Decision Making and Job Search Courses
  • Career Resource Library
  • … And more!
Events and Announcements: 
Quick Question Advising
University Park

Have a question that can be resolved in a short 5-10 minute conversation? Join us for Quick Question Advising 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; transferring credits.. Quick question advising is not intended for in-depth conversations.

For students enrolled in DUS:

  • 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 9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
    Friday No Quick Question advising.

For students not enrolled in DUS:

First-Year Seminar for DUS Students
University Park

Still need a first-year seminar? Interested in picking up another credit? Looking to build your skills as a student? Consider enrolling in PSU 97: Academic Exploration and Student Success. This 1-credit first-year seminar is specifically for DUS students. The course aims to guide first-year students toward success at Penn State. It will emphasize a holistic view of student success and highlight the internal and external factors which often influence academic and personal progress and development. Specific class topics include exploring majors, academic resources, personal health and wellness, exploring co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities, career development, and financial literacy. Activities will include self-reflection, class dialogue, and guest speakers.

Course meeting times: Tu/Th 12:20–1:10 p.m. Eastern Time from October 20 to December 11.

Contact your DUS academic adviser to discuss adding the class.

Study Smarter Workshop
All Campuses

How can you better monitor your learning so that you don't waste time and effort on ineffective study strategies? This workshop presents research-based evidence that metacognition (awareness of how you learn and the predictable effects of the related choices you make) can help you successfully transition to the demands of college-level courses as well as the flexibility of setting your own schedule. All sessions will be held online via Zoom and all times listed are Eastern Time (ET).

Upcoming Study Smarter Sessions: 

Info Session - School of Labor and Employment Relations
All Campuses

Interested in learning more about the majors in the School of Labor and Employment Relations? Come to their virtual major night on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. 

Learn about internship programs, career opportunities, integrated undergraduate-graduate degree programs, and more! Meet our academic advisers and career counselor, and learn more about student organizations. 

Register online at https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eESX2fVxfen1kEd

Make Informed Financial Decisions
All Campuses

Have you heard about the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center? Located on the University Park campus, the center provides students with the resources needed to make informed financial decisions. They often hold workshops, trivia games, webinars, and other events to help students learn more about financial decision making. A full list of events can be found on their website. 

On October 15th at 4 p.m., the center will be hosting a Financial Literacy Trivia Event, which will be focused on preparing students financially for continued education. This event will be very beneficial for students thinking about applying for graduate school of any kind. You can participate via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/j/493258891.

Education Abroad Fair
All Campuses

Interested in education abroad? Come to the annual Education Abroad Fair on Wednesday, October 14, 4:00–7:00 p.m. The 2020 Penn State Education Abroad Fair will be held on a virtual platform. Each year, Penn State hosts exhibitors from over 80 different study abroad partners, support offices, scholarship sources, and academic colleges to bring students the information they want about education abroad! Talk with representatives from universities and study centers abroad. Meet advisers from your college who know which courses and locations are best for your major. Talk to the Education Abroad office staff about the 400+ study abroad programs and how to apply for scholarships. Learn about other support and resources, like resources for students with disabilities who are going abroad or programs to increase study abroad participation amongst students from underrepresented populations.

Learn more by visiting the Education Abroad Fair website

HHD Majors and Minors Night
University Park

Want to know more about the majors and minors in the College of Health and Human Development? Attend one of the HHD Majors and Minors Nights!  Whether you're interested in a career in healthcare, public health, education, recreation, the hospitality industry, or scientific research and development, the College of Health and Human Development offers you options that are practical and purposeful.

HHD’s majors bring together the science of life with the business of being human.

Wednesday, October 14, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

For more information and Zoom session links: http://bit.ly/HHDMajorsNight

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.  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 Fall 2020 Sessions

All sessions are at 8:00 p.m. ET and held via Zoom:

October 20: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Register and attend online: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzZyxV3OQ7GVkIdV4DhWzg

DUS Students Are Recognized for Academic Engagement
All Campuses

DUS students who engage in their educations have multiple opportunities to be recognized. For example, DUS students in sophomore standing (at any campus) who have a cumulative grade point average above a 3.50 can apply for a DUS scholarship. (If that’s you, please apply!)

Students who have been thoughtful about their academic decisions are regularly nominated for a variety of leadership positions. At University Park, DUS students are involved in Leadership Council and Engaged Scholars. At other campus locations, check with your DUS Advising Office, Student Activities Office, or Financial Aid to find leadership and scholarship opportunities specific to your campus. And all DUS students, regardless of campus, could be featured in a DUS Student Story video.

Finally, in recognition of academic excellence, all students who complete 12 or more credits in a semester with a 3.5 or higher are named to the Dean's List.

Explore the College of Engineering
University Park

Interested in a major in the College of Engineering? There are several ways for you to learn about majors in the college. You can attend a virtual major night, in which you can view a presentation by faculty and current students and learn about the major, typical coursework, and potential career paths. Note that the linked website states that attendance is required. This is only a requirement if you are enrolled in EDSGN 100. These events are open to all students considering an engineering major, not just students enrolled in EDSGN 100. We chose to link to this site to show all available sessions. You can attend one or all sessions. The choice is yours!

Don't have time to visit the virtual major nights? Check out the series of 5-minute videos highlighting each major with current faculty, students, and alum who are working in their respective industries. These are a great resource for students when looking at the difference between majors. 

Join Lion Scouts
All Campuses

Do you love Penn State? Do you want to share your love for the university and your experience with prospective students? Join Lion Scouts! Lion Scouts is Penn State’s largest student tour guide organization. Walking backwards since 1985, they work under the Undergraduate Admissions Office to assist with recruitment efforts and give tours of campus. Applications are now open and can be found at: bit.ly/ApplyLS. The deadline to apply is October 25 at 11:59 p.m.

Upcoming Information Sessions (held via Zoom):

Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 18, time TBD

Learn more by visiting the Lion Scouts website  or contact Kayla Prag at lionscoutsrecruitment@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.