Synthesis

Picture credit: http://mep.sdes.ucf.edu/about

Students that choose an undecided major need to know that it is not a waste. Instead of rushing into a major, being undecided allows students to explore different classes and gives them time to find their future career. The concept of students entering college knowing what they want to do during their four years is not realistic. First year students are still growing academically, socially, and physically. There is no need to just pick a major if one is not fully set on it. By going through the experience of being undecided, it forms individuals into being more rounded and diverse from others. Although the process can be stressful, most say it is worth it in the end.

Benefits: Picture credit: http://www.zoomtext.com/lessons/benefits	Misconceptions: Picture credit: http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/05/10/12-common-misconceptions-about-content-marketing/	Resources: Picture credit: https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/blog/bid/109154/7-great-resources-for-researching-countries-for-teaching-english-abroad
-Get prerequisites out of the way -Opportunities to enroll in different types of classes -Discovery of interests is able to roam freely - The experience of different teaching styles is brought forward -Become a well rounded and diverse student -More time to think and discover	-Will take longer to graduate -Not many students are undecided -Undecided students are too lazy to decide their future and do not care what path they end up on -Students will not be able to get into the program they want for the future	-Conversing with peers about majors -Clubs on campus -Professors and their office hours -Career advisors -Counselors -Career services -Career assessments and quizzes
Blogs to refer to: - Perks of Being Undecided http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/10/perks-of-being-undecided.html	Blogs to refer to: - Recognizing Truth http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/10/10-recognizing-truth.html -Asking Questions and Breaking Assumptions http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/10/1-asking-questions-and-breaking.html	Blogs to refer to: -Finding Your Career Path http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/10/finding-your-career-path.html -Career Aptitude Quiz http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/10/career-aptitude-quiz.html -Undecided Research http://exploringbeingundecided.blogspot.com/2016/09/undecided-research-internet-is.html

For students that need help with deciding on a major for the future, there are many ways to receive further help. With the resources available on campus, there are also online quizzes that can take to lead someone in the direction of their future major. Although the quizzes may not fully make one decide on a certain major right away, they are helpful with highlighting an individual’s strengths and interests. After drawing out these abilities, related fields and careers are presented in hopes of leading an individual to a future career they fit well in and enjoy doing. Some helpful quizzes that may help are:

http://www.educations.com/career-test#utbildningstest  http://www.princetonreview.com/quiz/career-quiz  http://www.slu.edu/beabilliken/quiz-college-majors  http://www.luc.edu/undergrad/academiclife/whatsmymajorquiz/  https://www.findyourcalling.com

-Julia, Hannah, Golda, and Luke

Why Did I Choose Art?

My parents are the kind of people that deeply value the arts and they have raised me to do the same.  They have always prioritized museum hopping, understanding different cultures in our travels, and encouraged imagination and creation throughout my childhood.  They provided the space and materials to express myself through music, movement, and studio arts.  In my senior year of high school I realized that art is something that I have always come back to, it is part of my foundation.  I believe that my passion for art sprang from my subconscious obsession with freedom, originality, and exploration.  For me, art is freedom; it can be absolutely anything you make it.  I have also always appreciated and strived for originality and art is the perfect medium for this goal. Although I am merely a freshman, I hope to work towards a major in photography.  Looking through the lens of a camera allows me to explore the beauty in all that comes into my view and that is what motivates me the most.

-Golda

Barbet, Estelle. "Caprice." N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.<https://www.myartmakers.com/en/gallery/piece-of-art/6322-caprice>.

#3 Exploring Communication

This week I got a chance to sit down with Holden Holsinger, an undecided student currently enrolled in MSU's prestigious James Madison College. Holsinger held a stellar grade point throughout high school and continues to challenge himself academically. However, even a student who, on pen and paper, appears like they should know their path in life, Holden feels the same uncertainty that a majority of college students feel. His main drive in discovering his future major is to explore options that capture his interest and mirror his passions, and he advises fellow students in his situation to do the same. He expresses interest in pursuing a major that gets him fired up and excited, while additionally offering lucrative and practical opportunities. While he does feel that his uncertainty may be holding him back and limiting him from knocking out otherwise easy prerequisites, he too stresses to "find something that sparks your passion and check that out."

In short, even students enrolled in high level courses feel the same uncertainty you may be feeling. It is okay to not know, but it is crucial that you use your time wisely and research your interests. Who knows, you could find yourself discovering a future career that you didn't even know existed.

-Luke

http://d51ck0gypsxpo.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/images/undecided_major.png

A Helpful Online Resource

If you are interested in learning about the career options that your major could lead to there are many online resources available to do so.   You can learn what kinds of skills you will obtain in the process of studying that major, and about what kinds of things you will be doing or what options you have to go forward with once learning that skill set. 

Here is a link to a really helpful website on that subject: 
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers

My focus in my studio arts major will be photography, here is a small fragment of information that this website provided for my major: 
“Photography majors learn how to use cameras and film to express ideas, trigger emotion, and convey information. Topics of study include the operation and maintenance of cameras; darkroom technique; and lighting, composition, and color.

Are You Ready To...?

·       Spend money on equipment and supplies

·       Compete for darkroom and computer time

·       Visit museums and galleries to study other photographers

·       Display your work in student shows

·       Take academic as well as photography classes

·       Learn the rules even as you break them

·       Learn standard techniques as you develop your own style

·       Work independently

·       Build a portfolio for graduation

·       Snap hundreds of photos while trying for a keeper

·       Search for new ideas

·       Experiment with film and digital photography

·       Listen to and learn from criticism of your work

It Helps To Be...

A visual thinker who loves looking at the world through a viewfinder. If you’re an artist with a techie side, you’ll enjoy working with cameras and in the darkroom.

College Checklist

·       Does the school offer a major in photography or in art with a concentration in photography?

·       Do you need to prepare a portfolio to be accepted into the school or the major?

·       Will you earn a B.A. or B.F.A (bachelor of fine arts)?

·       Does the program focus more on fine art or commercial photography? Does it emphasize darkroom photography over digital photography?

·       Are the facilities well maintained and up-to-date? Is there current digital technology as well as traditional equipment?

·       Is there enough darkroom time and space available for students to do their work? How is darkroom time shared between majors and nonmajors?

·       How many courses outside the department will you take? Can you combine your photography degree with course work in business, teaching, or another related area?

·       Are there any art museums or galleries on or near campus?”

-Golda


"Photography College Degree Programs - The College Board." Photography College Degree Programs - The College Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

    

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