New Major Mardi Gras introduces Web program
By Kelly Walsh
The Brass Rail was converted Tuesday into the site of "Major Mardi Gras," an event for undecided students to explore different majors and possible careers.
Co-sponsored by the Drahmann Center and the Career Center, the fair also introduced "MyRoads.com," a new web-based tool which also helps students connect academic majors with potential career options.
"MyRoads.com" compiles interests from individual responses to a general survey. The program is not only useful to undergraduates still trying to determine their major, but also to seniors on the road to graduation.
The goal of the fair was to provide students with an opportunity to gather information on all majors, according to Helen Moritz, dean of academic support services. This is a characteristic that the annual "Student Planning Day" offered each fall lacks.
The chair or a faculty member and a student from each department hosted informational tables for undeclared students, and were available to answer questions and offer advice.
Senior anthropology major Megan Goicoechea viewed the student presence as one of the highlights of the event.
"I think it was a wonderful opportunity for students to talk to their peers," Goicoechea said. "It provided for a relaxed environment for students to pose questions that they might have felt apprehensive asking faculty."
"Although I am an accounting major, and have a job lined up for next fall, I am interested in seeing what other types of careers my interests correspond with. I don't think I want to be a 'bean counter' for my entire life," senior Catherine Wickham said.
Total attendance for the event was 165 students, according to initial reports. However, this number is only reflective of those students who filled out evaluations: attendance could have been greater.
Plans are also in the works for follow-up seminars for interested students, dealing with the major and career advising process.
The Drahmann Center and the Career Center hope to make the "majors" fair an annual event.