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UA's Career Services and Center for Exploratory Students are each hosting events to aid students in choosing a major and finding a career.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
September 21, 2009

The Daily Show host Jon Stewart earned a degree in psychology.

Argentine President Cristina Fernández – considered by Forbes to be one of the most powerful women in the world – has a law degree.

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi A. Annan, a Nobel Laureate, has degrees in economics and management.

What about you?

About 20 percent of the University of Arizona's class of freshmen had not declared a major when classes began. 

But the UA does have programs and services to aid students who either have not selected a major, or who want to create one not already in the University's catalog.

UA's Career Services and the Center for Exploratory Students – formerly University College – are among the units on campus that exist to provide students with resources necessary to aid them academically and professionally. 

Beginning this week, both units are hosting fairs and career-oriented information sessions to help students in their decisions.

UA Fall Career Days, hosted by Career Services, will be held Sept. 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center.

Companies to be represented include Microsoft, KVOA Communications, Frito Lay, Kentucky Equine, Prudential, Procter & Gamble, the Peace Corps, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI, city of Tucson and Pima County government.

UA Career Services is telling students that in the current economic state, "it's important to tap into all your resources and attending UA's largest career fair all year should be one of your top strategies."

But for those students who are having a difficult time first deciding on a major, the Center for Exploratory Students is a central resource. 

In fact, Newsday published a report last month about the ways in which the economy is affecting how students choose their majors.

Students should realize that they can choose multiple majors and that choosing one won't necessarily result in a one-track career path, said Leticia Soto-Delgadillo, director of the center, which has been on campus for more than a decade.

Soto-Delgadillo said the process, though, can be intimidating for some students.

"Some students are afraid of meeting with a counselor or an adviser, so we want them to know that everyone is welcome," she said.

Housed in the recently created Colleges of Letters, Arts and Science, the center supports more than 4,000 students who are in pre-nursing, have interdisciplinary majors, who areundecided and those preparing for professional careers in health or law.

The center also is hosting a Meet Your Major Fair on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center's Ballroom. More than 1,000 students are expected to attend the event, Soto-Delgadillo said. 

The fair brings together advisers and other representatives from departments all over campus, allowing students the chance to ask questions about a range of majors in one location. 

This year' the event is also open to Pima Community College and high school-aged students.

Last year's fair drew more than 80 departments and more than 1,000 students, connecting them with information about resources, career options, study abroad opportunities and ways to get involved in student exchanges.

The center is also hosting information sessions, each from noon to 1:30 p.m.

A session on sports-related careers will be held Sept. 22 in the Lohse Room of the McKale Center. A session about careers in law will be held Oct. 19 in the Ventana Room of the Student Union Memorial Center. The last, on careers in forensics, will be held Nov. 16, also in the Ventana Room.

"We want our students to know there are resources available," Soto-Delgadillo said, "and we want them to start thinking about what is available."