What’s your major? What drives you? Have you pondered what you want to do with what you’re learning in college? What plans do you have for the rest of your life?
If you’re not sure of your major or future plans, don’t panic. There are numerous resources here at Fresno City College to help you identify your areas of interest, tailor your studies to meet the requirements of that area, and start planning for your future career. Last Wednesday, the college’s counseling department organized its first majors fair to help students.
“We feel it is better to address this topic on the front end, rather than the back end,” said Mark Sanchez, Dean of Student Services.
Among the majors featured in the fair are Philosophy, Psychology, and Health Sciences, English, Music and Journalism. According to Renee Craig-Harris, a counselor at FCC, “The most popular majors at the college tend to be in Health Sciences — Nursing program and Radiology.” Other popular fields are Criminology, Forensic Science and Teaching.
“English is definitely somewhat challenging but, at the same time, equally rewarding,” said Professor Lee Herrick, who manned the English department’s booth and answered students’ questions. “Critical thinking skills are so important in today’s world.”
Jessica Leatherwood who graduated from FCC in 2008 handed out flyers and spoke to students who approached the Anthropology table.
Leatherwood had continued her education at UC Davis and received a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. “I want to give back to the school,” she said about her participation in the fair.
Dean Sanchez said the fair was organized so that current FCC students who are undecided about their major would have access to faculty and staff about what each area entails. Each major featured at the fair handed out information about coursework, requisites and prerequisites, career paths, assessments and internships.
The event also featured workshops that covered topics such as — The Art of Career Planning; Stop Spinning Your Wheels; Steps for Choosing a Major; and Stay on Track-Planning Your Stay at FCC.
“The average student at the community College level will change their major four or five times before they finish their associate degree,” said Renee Craig-Harris, a counselor at FCC who held one of the workshops. “Students need to learn how to narrow down a career path.”
In her workshop, Harris advised students who are undecided about their career goals to not “lose sight of your dream; keep learning about yourself.”
Harris said students must “learn about your field before you can really embrace it.” FCC student Tracy James articulated the question that many other students had. “How can I marry my interests and likes into a career major?” James, who is currently a Dance major, said she would also like to pursue a degree in Psychology, but that she is still undecided about her future.
Some majors featured live performances to illustrate to would-be students exactly what the major is all about. Mike Dana and Larry Honda, both music instructors, played some slow jams to lure some students. Dance instructor, Michele Ainza, said she is optimistic about the impact of the move into the OAB to her program. “I am keeping my fingers crossed at this point,” she said.
The applied technology Department displayed their wide ranging degree programs from Air Conditioning and Auto repair to Construction and Computer technology, serving about 7,000 students.
Most participants said attending the fair was a good experience and look forward to similar events in the future. Renee Harris said students should simply follow their passion, “and the money will follow.”
