Majors Fair allows students to explore opportunities for new majors or minors
With the start of a new academic year, Virginia Tech students are getting a fresh start on their education. With the enrollment of hundreds of new first year students who have yet to pick a major – plus the many more across campus who may be considering a change in major – the opportunity is perfect for the annual Majors Fair.
The Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Government Association are co-hosting the event on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center.
Representatives from all of the undergraduate colleges and most of the university’s majors will be on site to answer student questions, including prerequisites and change of major requirements. The program is informal, so students can stop by as their schedule allows.
“The Majors Fair is one-stop shopping for all students – new and returning – who are looking for their best academic fit,” said Kimberly Brown, director of undergraduate advising. “Exploratory students can research areas of interest and find out what they can do now to facilitate entering their desired field. Other students can stop by and discover if there is a better program to fit their goals, or even explore an option for a minor or double major.”
“The Virginia Tech Student Government Association (SGA) is very excited to co-sponsor this year’s Majors Fair,” said Caroline Gimenez of Charleston, S.C., a senior majoring in mathematics in the College of Science, who serves as director of academic affairs for the SGA. “Not only is it a chance to collaborate with the Office of Undergraduate Advising, but it is a chance to put our mission into action. The SGA is dedicated to making life better for all students, to help them get the most possible out of their time here at Virginia Tech. The Majors Fair will allow students to explore all the diverse areas of study the university has to offer, and it will open students’ eyes to possibilities they may have never imagined."
Beyond learning more about the majors and minors offered, students can also gain information from key programs such as Career Services and Education Abroad for a fuller idea of the options available during their undergraduate education.
Using an exit poll after last year’s event, organizers collected feedback from hundreds of students who attended. When asked what students liked about the event, responses included the “ability to explore many different options in one place,” “I never left a table with my questions unanswered,” and “I learned about majors and minors I didn’t even know existed.” Students also described the representatives as “friendly,” “helpful,” and “approachable.”
