Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, August 26, 2000
By Maggie Koerth
Majors not as important Graduate school plans should start early as some students think Preparation is key, CHOOSING A
Kansan correspondent
College can be overwhelming for freshmen. They must learn to balance schoolwork and social activities. Homesickness and bills are enough to drive even the most stoc students crazy.
In addition to these problems, many undergrads face stress when choosing majors. However, the choices of undergrad majors may not be as important as students think, especially in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"I went through many major changes," said Sandy Seiler, a 1990 University of Kansas graduate in anthropology. "I had no idea at all of what I wanted to do."
Seller decided on anthropology
He finally chose classics as a major because he enjoyed all the courses he'd taken in that department.
"I went through many major changes. I had no idea at all of what I wanted to do."
Sandy Seiler
1990 KU graduate in anthropology
By the time he graduated, however, his interests were drifting toward computer science.
after studying abroad in Costa Rica for a semester. She wanted to work closely with Latin American cultures and spent three years after graduation with the Social Office of Western Missouri as an interpreter to migrant workers.
While many of the pre-professional schools train students in specialized skills, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provides a broad base of knowledge that can be used in many fields.
In 1993, she returned to school, this time to the University of Kansas Medical Center, to earn a degree in physical therapy.
Seiler said her experiences made her more well-rounded and that having an anthropology background makes it easier to relate to her patients.
"Liberal arts prepare people to be open to new ideas and to look at the world in new ways," said Donald Stull, professor of anthropology. "It
Hendrick Vanderlaan, a 1994 graduate of Hunter College in New York, has lived in Lawrence for several years and had a similar experience. Vanderlaan holds a B.A. in classics but has been working in information management and computer operation since his graduation.
Neither Seiler
Unlike Seiler, however,
Vanderlaan intended to stay off any
set career path.
"I just wanted to learn and grow and read," he said.
teaches you to learn and write and think.
We've had students come through the anthropology department and go on to be doctors, lawyers — any number of things."
He spent his first three years tak ing classes that interested him.
Neither Seiler nor Vanderlaan believe they wasted time or money by getting B.A.s that don't necessarily apply to their careers. Vanderlaan thinks college broadened his outlook on life and he strongly believes in the value of knowledge for its own sake.
To current undecided students, Vanderlaan advises them to spend at least three semesters exploring classes in many different fields.
"You're paying all this money," he said. "If you box yourself in by just taking classes you know you can pass them you are denying yourself."
Seller thinks that students should take the job market into consideration when looking for a major or be prepared to get another degree in something else if their interests just aren't marketable.
Stull's advises confused underclassmen to shop around until they know what subject they really love and not to worry about how much money they'll make.
"Find something you would pay people to let you do," he said. "After that, the money will take care of itself."
— Edited by Amy Randolph
Preparation is key administrators say
By Andrea White Kansan correspondent
For most University of Kansas students, walking through the Campusile at commencement is the culmination of their educational experiences. But some students find themselves back in class after receiving their degrees, continuing on to graduate school.
Daphne Johnston, assistant dean of graduate programs, said a number of different factors contributed to a student's decision to go to grade school.
"Some of the most common are they are choosing a profession that requires a higher level of education," Johnston said. "Maybe it's an entry for certain professions, for example becoming a lawyer or doctor. In other cases, it may give someone an advantage for finding a job."
Erin Cerny, Lee's Summit, Mo.
graduate student in special educa
"It does get you more money, but also I am the kind of person who likes learning." Cerny said.
Before deciding on KU, Cerny, who received her undergraduate degree from Truman State University in Missouri, looked at a number of different graduate programs. She said academic reputation was one reason she chose KU's graduate school.
"KU is supposed to have the best special education program in the country." Cerny said.
The decision to further one's education is a process that should begin early in the junior year, Johnston said.
"I think the first thing is to do quite a bit of self analysis. What are (your) motives for seeking a graduate degree?" Johnston said.
Johnston suggested trying some of the aptitude tests available at Career Counseling and Planning Services.
Cerny said she had used the CCPS resources when she was having trouble choosing a major.
"I took a couple of tests that they
Request all necessary information about the graduate program from the university
Narrow your list of schools to five
Go to each program's Web site and read about the faculty
Fill out applications and submit them on time
Follow up with the school to ensure it has received your application
Visit every program to which you are accepted
Make your decision and inform the programs of your decision
Source: Lesli Mitchell, The Graduate School
Survival Guide
have," she said. "They helped reinforce what I wanted, and they gave me who to talk to and gave me some resources."
Johnston also advised prospective graduate students to talk to professors, current graduate students and people who were in the profession
She also recommended prospective students begin talking to professors early in their senior year for letters of recommendation for admission.
"Having had the conversation first is good because then the professor and you have had a dialogue about what your goals are and your plans, and they will be in a better position to comment on you as a potential candidate," Johnston said.
Admissions and advising are not the only differences between undergraduate and graduate studies, however. Johnston said expectations and the work load were also different.
"Graduate school is a full-time job. You have to be very self-motivated," she said. "A lot of the checks that are in place at the undergraduate level aren't there. The sheerling and fostering of growth that happens with your professors and even in the school doesn't occur at the graduate level."
Center aids student employment search
— Edited by Erin McDaniel
Bv Amanda Ahlaren
Kansan correspondent
University Career and Employment Services has a Web site that can help University of Kansas students organize their career or internship search.
UCES is located at room 110 in Burge Union. Its goal is to increase the success of liberal arts, education, social welfare and fine arts students in their job and internship searches.
The UCES site is www.ukans.edu/-uces. By logging on, students will be able to access a career adviser, set up an appointment for a mock interview, get employment information from around the world, register to post as many as five resumes on the Web, attend on-campus interviews and connect to other employment Web sites.
Gail Rooney, UCES director, said the Internet was a convenient resource.
"The Internet allows students to make connections with employers
and employer opportunities almost immediately and within their own schedules," she said.
One of the site's key features is the CareerConnections system. This online resume program helps students to create professional resumes that can be posted in the Web Resume Book.
Employers interested in hiring a University student can access these resumes online.
Rooney said the advantages of CareerConnections, as opposed to another online program, are that companies only look at KU students and that those companies are screened by UCES.
Kent McAnally, assistant director of UCES, said he encouraged use of the site.
"We push the Web site very strongly because of all the links it provides to a variety of jobs," he said.
In order to use the CareerConnections program, students must register and pay a year-
UNIVERSITY CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
110 Burge Union
Phone: (785) 864-3624
Fax: (785) 864-4572
E-mail: uces@ukans.edu
Web address:
http://www.ukans.edu/~uces
lv fee of $40.
"Forty dollars is a small investment in terms of finding the best employment that matches you," Rooney said.
For students who want a professional opinion on a resume, the UCES advisers have an online calendar with each of their schedules and open appointment times.
For students who are getting nervous about the big job interview, UCES conducts practice runs. A UCES staff member will assume the role of the employer and conduct the mock interview as if it were an actual one. The interview is videotaped so that the adviser and the student discuss what went well and what needs to be improved.
If students are not sure how to act during an interview, what to wear or how to prepare a resume they can just click on the 'Career Information Library' icon on the UCES site. Listed are a variety of books, videotapes and other various materials that will help students get the information they need to be successful. The actual resources aren't available online, but can be used at the UCES library in Burge Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
UCES isn't just for those people who already know what they're majoring in, or know the careers they plan to go into. On the UCES Web site, students can research under their specific area of interest or major. They will not only find many career options but also an extensive list of skills that students will use in that occupation.
- Edited by John Audlehelm