Over 600 students attended Creighton’s Major/Minor Exploration fair last week, where each bachelor degree program from within 38 different departments eagerly shared more about their programs of study to students planning out their majors and minors.
“I think we can safely say that all bachelor degree programs were in attendance and were given equal opportunity to take advantage of the one event each year that allows students to learn more about each and every one of them,” Sandy Ciriaco, the Creighton EDGE Associate Director of Academic Initiatives, said.
In order to coordinate and plan the Major/Minor Exploration Fair, planning began last spring and lasted throughout the weeks prior to the event.
“The planning for this event begins with a Save the Date notification each spring semester to all department chairs as well as to the faculty listed on the Faculty Contact List for Questions Regarding Majors and Careers that Creighton EDGE Office updates annually,” Ciriaco said. “The fair is consistently offered on the second Wednesday following Fall Break to coincide with the academic planning that is introduced to Freshmen in Ratio Studiorum Program (RSP) classes in hopes that they are eager to learn more about their options.”
However, most of the final details for planning occur in the two weeks before the event, which includes the floor plan, catering confirmation and logistics regarding the use of the reserved hand-held ID card scanners used to check in students who are required to attend.
Arts & Sciences junior Courtney Kern staffed the Social Work table during the fair, just one of the many tables that lined the perimeter of the Skutt Student Center Ballroom, where the fair was held.
“I think the freshmen are extremely open to new possibilities for majors,” Kern said.
“There was a lot of good energy here,” Barbara Harris, Department of Social Work Practicum Coordinator, said.
Although the fair primarily targets freshmen, it serves as a resource for all students deciding what to study, whether they are considering a major for the first time, adding one on or switching majors entirely. For students with a little extra room in their schedule, the fair is great way to find an interesting minor.
“We do believe that this fair has an impact on a significant number of our students’ decisions about how to proceed in their plan of study,” Ciriaco said. “Whether they are deciding between two or three possible majors or are still deciding on a major, this is an ideal opportunity for students to speak with faculty one-on-one in a relaxed environment.”
The Creighton EDGE also set up its own tables at the Fair to handle inquiries about the programs and services offered by its office, as well as to publicize the registration information for the Spring 2014 Learning Communities that freshmen are encouraged to participate in.
These Learning Communities include EDGE Exploration, Pre-Law, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Medical, and Pre-Dental Education. They are open to all freshmen.
Students check out a poster while the professor talks to them about options.
A student speaks with a faculty member about exploring options at Creighton.