Processes (P)

1P5 Helping Students to Select Programs

Approximately 50 percent of each first-year, full-time class enters Western undecided on a major or intended future occupation. Western’s academic advising system and support services provide students with a matriculation-to-graduation
support system for exploring their academic goals and related career options. Listed below are some activities used to help students discover their interests:

1. Surveys of Occupational Interests
   • Surveys of incoming students help to determine students’ intended programs of study.
   • The College Student Inventory (CSI), administered in the Freshman Seminar, provides students with an opportunity to identify key interests and discuss them with an advisor or instructor.
   • Discrepancies between preparation and learning are often identified by advisors, instructors, or professional tutors in the Center for Academic Support. or the Early Alert Program.
   • The Counseling Center administers occupational interest inventories and helps students understand potential academic interests as well as provides personal counseling.
2. Recruitment Activities and Freshman Seminar
   • Western holds career fairs, high school visit days, and open house to help students determine what programs of study are available to them.
   • The Freshman Seminar teaches students about learning styles, how they can be adapted for various academic disciplines or specific course requirements, and encourages students to explore a variety of career options
3. Improving Student Preparation and Support
   • Western identifies students with inadequate preparation in reading, writing, and mathematics, and assists them in improving these essential skills for college work.
   • Students with disabilities are encouraged to work with the Disability Services Coordinator to document the need and discuss an appropriate accommodation. The Coordinator works with faculty to arrange accommodations to help students succeed.
   • Faculty advisors work with students to determine academic and vocation interests and then help students find appropriate majors.
     
     

Frequently, students discover their interests in the introductory course of a discipline.