It is important to interact with students, faculty, and others in your field. This lays the foundation for a professional network linking you to current ideas, key issues, and valuable contacts in your field. Augusta State University offers a wide variety of student organizations which offer such opportunities for interaction. (If there is not an active club for your major, it takes as few as five interested students to create or reactivate one through Student Activities.) Check with your advisor for professional organizations in your career field which offer student memberships.

Practical experience in your field complements your academic coursework and establishes an initial work history in your field. There are a variety of avenues to take - volunteer work, internships, part-time jobs, co-op, student activities. Many campus organizations, such as the campus newspaper or student programming board, offer tangible experiences in management, writing, editing, advertising, promotion, graphic design, contract negotiations, and more. Check with Student Activities for ways to enhance your skills through co-curricular programs. The Cooperative Education programs offered through the Career Center enable you to gain practical experience in your field while earning income and sometimes academic credit. The Career Center also has on-going postings of part-time job opportunities. You should also check with your advisor regarding internships and volunteer work in your field.

As you track yourself toward graduation, monitor your development in academic knowledge, practical experience, and skill development. In addition to the co-curricular offerings in Student Activities, both the Counseling Center and the Career Center offer specialized personal development workshops. ASU's Counseling Center offers a range of workshops each term covering such issues as study skills, test anxiety, stress/time management, single parenting, and interpersonal relations. The Career Center conducts workshops on interviewing, resume writing and effective job search strategies.

Major Decisions emphasizes setting aside specific and appropriate time for developmental tasks, preparing adequately for these tasks, utilizing all available resources, and assessing your progress. Approaching a decision by exploring your options, narrowing your choices, selecting and confirming your choice is readily applicable to many situations. These techniques are just as useful as you work toward graduation and beyond. As you begin your degree, consider allotting time for acquiring practical experience, building a professional network, and for personal development as a complement to your studies. Keep in mind that there are many others pursuing similar goals and prepare yourself to meet the competition.

Congratulations on choosing your major! Good luck as you commence your degree!