Perhaps your student has chosen the institution they plan to attend. If so, this is something to celebrate!
Or, maybe they are still deciding where to pursue their degree. Either way, a good next step is to meet with someone from the academic department of the major they are considering. Here are topics to consider when meeting with your student’s academic department:
Tutoring opportunities/study groups.
Your student might excel academically and think they will not need academic support, but tutoring is for all students! Tutoring can help struggling students and can help academically prepared students continue to perform well in college. Does the department offer tutoring options or do students go through an academic support office? Maybe the department organizes study groups for their majors. Study groups can be another great support system for your student.
Internship opportunities.
You can explore the academic department’s connections with employers tied to their majors. Are internships paid or unpaid? Are they typically offered in the summer or during the fall or spring semesters? Can I earn academic credit for internship experiences?
Classroom and faculty experience.
What is the average class size once students are in their major classes? What is the typical GPA of students in their major? Who teaches the classes, a teaching assistant or a faculty member with a terminal degree? Knowing what to expect in the classroom can aid in setting expectations. It can also be helpful to understand how accessible faculty are: ask about office hours and availability for one-on-one meetings with your student to provide additional support or possible mentorship.
External study opportunities.
Participation in study abroad or domestic study can be a great learning experience for your student. The academic department might sponsor their trips or they can tell you about opportunities coordinated through another office on campus.
Job placement rate and assistance.
Colleges track job placement rates, and each academic department most likely works with its career services office to follow its department’s rate. Additionally, you can ask how the department supports the job search process for students once they are close to graduation. You could also find out what kind of jobs and with what types of employers graduates from the academic department secure.
What can I do with a major in _____?
Your student might plan to use their declared history major to teach, but what if they change their mind after graduation? Finding out what else your student can do with a history major would be a great question to ask the history department. What other careers does a major in history equip your student to do?
You or your student may have other questions for their academic department. The important thing is to go prepared with topics important to your family. Academic department visits can provide more insight for your student as they explore career opportunities and choose a major.
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