DUS News - October 14, 2019

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 Bulletins.
  • 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: 

More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.

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: 
DUS Scholarship now open for applications
All Campuses

The DUS Scholarship recognizes and awards $1,000 to outstanding DUS sophomores who have engaged meaningfully in exploring their academic options. If you are a DUS sophomore (at any campus) with a GPA of 3.50 or above, we encourage you to apply. Visit dus.psu.edu/dus-scholarships for application information.

Blindspots Workshop
University Park

Do you know your blindspots?

While Penn State values integrity, community, and respect, these aren't just squishy and meaningless words. All kinds of companies and nonprofits are looking for potential employees that demonstrate strong relationship and collaboration skills. 

Do you know who you are? Do you know the kind of person you want to be? 

Implicit bias thrives while you aren't paying attention. Use information from this workshop to build your best self.

BLINDSPOTS

Sign up now to attend a workshop with Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) senior director and thought leader, Sandi Lewis, and learn about your implicit assumptions and biases. Space is limited and advance sign up is required using the link below.

Wednesday, October 16th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (pizza dinner included) HUB 233A

https://tinyurl.com/psublindspots

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 are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website. Some sessions have multiple dates and locations available.

Sessions include:

  • Exploration Workshop 
  • Interested in Smeal? 
  • Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities
  • Improve Your Study Skills
  • What Gen Eds Do I Need?
  • Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Major? 
  • Major and Career Planning
  • Scheduling Tools
  • DUS Students and Study Abroad
Political Science Info Sessions
University Park

Interested in a degree in Political Science, International Politics or Social Data Analytics? Come to an information session to learn more about these majors and more! All sessions are held in 302 Pond Lab. You only need to attend one session, but registration is required. To register, fill out this form, sign up in person in 201 Pond Lab or call 814-865-4597.

Session dates:

Monday, October 14, 9:05–9:55 a.m.
Tuesday, October 15, 10:35–11:25 a.m.
Thursday. October 17, 3:05–3:55 p.m.
Friday, October 18, 12:20–1:10 p.m.

Undergraduate Research Workshops
All Campuses

Undergraduate students at Penn State interested in learning more about undergraduate research and creative inquiry and how can they get involved can attend workshops scheduled throughout the fall 2019 semester. Students don’t need to have any previous experience with research, and there are no prerequisites for attending. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Many of the workshops will have Zoom available for remote attendees.

Schedule of workshops:

  • October 17, 5:30 p.m.: Info Session – How to Join the Scholarly Conversation: Developing Essential Undergraduate Research Skills.
  • November 7, 5:30 p.m.: Info Session – Exploring Undergraduate Research Options at Penn State.

Full list of workshops available at: https://ufo.psu.edu/calendar/list

Explore Smeal
University park

Attend Explore Smeal 2019 events on October 21, 2019 from 4:30–9:00 p.m. in the Business building. There will be presentations on all eight Smeal majors and information sessions about the opportunities outside of the classroom (including sessions on the alumni mentoring program, the Small Business Development Center, Honor & Integrity Initiatives, the Sustainability 2-Piece Sequence, how to read a degree audit, study abroad opportunities, diversity enhancement programs, and Career Business Services).

Engineering Major Nights
University Park

Learn about engineering majors at University Park during information sessions throughout the semester. Go to those that interest you, hear from students and faculty, find out about what you'd study in the major and what kinds of career opportunities there are, and tour the facilities. Upcoming major nights include:

Mechanical Engineering
Tuesday, October 22, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
135 Reber Building

Electrical Engineering
Wednesday, October 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
101 EE East

Biomedical Engineering
Thursday, October 24, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
114 Chemical and Biomedial Engineering Building (CBEB)

 

Stand for State Peer Educator
University Park

Stand for State is looking for students who want to help create a safer and more inclusive campus community for all. Stand for State knows students are the most powerful vehicles for change and is looking for peer educators to join our team. Being a peer educator is a volunteer position. Peer educators will be trained to provide 60-90 minute programs to student groups and classes about how to step in when it counts. As a peer educator you will also work as a team to create campaigns and social awareness events throughout the year and campus promoting and prompting culture change at Penn State.

Application Deadline: November 1.
Link to apply: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6GqkED7Ay36Ocnz