Advanced education is a privilege that enhances opportunities for students to pursue a career that they want. Those who worked hard in high school and have the necessary resources find themselves applying to college, hoping to get the tools needed to obtain their dream jobs. What happens to those students who haven’t figured out exactly what they want to do yet?
Going into college pushes students to indicate what kind of major they are hoping to go into, what possible majors they want to apply to, and, essentially, what they might want to do with their lives. For students uncertain of their paths, this push to apply to a certain college, such as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences or the College of Engineering is stressful. Here at NC State, we have an Exploratory Studies program designed to help students find their major.
By taking their GEP, or General Education Program, courses first, and then their major-specific classes once they are decided, exploratory studies students are able to attend college in a prudent timeframe like most decided students. They are handed a community and associated resources to become informed of their options and navigate the various programs offered here at NC State.
There are multiple tools that are really excellent included in the Exploratory Studies program. Students have special advisers to talk with about their interests and strengths to clue in what kind of classes to take at first. Students have mandatory advising appointments and exploratory studies classes which further arm students with resources to inform them of possible next steps.
One such resources is the Strong Interest Inventory, a career assessment tool that students take which relays valuable information to each student such as likes, dislikes, approaches to life situations, learning style and career options corresponding to these results. This report isn’t deciding what the student should pursue, it simply gives the students more information so they can make the most informed decisions about their lives.
Exploratory Studies pushes students to consider majors that they might not have thought about before. Students attend information sessions on each college that they might be interested in and can learn about specific majors in each college. There are professors and students from each major to answer questions and give advice.
Another great aspect about Exploratory Studies is the community. Exploratory Studies students usually live in the Exploratory Studies Village, which is located at Tucker and Owen residence halls. Students are surrounded by others who, like them, are unsure of their futures. This community helps students not to feel so alone in their indecision.
One reason why some people do not consider exploratory studies as a potential major is the perception that it sets students back because they are not taking the necessary classes for their future major right away. But, if a student fully utilizes the resources given to them and actively pursues their options, they are likely going to graduate on time.
I am well aware that not all students need to be a part of the Exploratory Studies program. Some students have known what they have wanted to do their entire lives, and need no direction toward a major. Others can’t take the chance of prolonging their college education for monetary reasons. But for those students completely lost, on the fence or not completely sure of their majors, the tools and resources available through this program can be extremely beneficial and should be considered more by prospective students.
Students who are not in an exploratory/undecided program often change majors multiple times until they find the right fit. This change, though better for the long run, can be expensive and stressful. For those students not completely sure of their paths, it could be beneficial to consider the Exploratory Studies program to help navigate the opportunities found here at NC State.
Use all of your resources. By being a part of the Exploratory Studies program, you are equipped with tools, knowledge, experience and a community to help you on your journey. College is a privilege. Don’t waste this opportunity to do anything on a major that isn’t the right fit for you.
