Goal: Campus engagement to support students who are uncertain about a major or who need to transition to a different major.
Rationale: Students who are undecided about their major, uncertain about their future career, or in transition from one major to another are at greater risk for withdrawing from the university. While some interventions already are in place for these populations, actions need to be aligned with campus engagement. Pre-pandemic, UWG offered an on-campus majors fair (Major Things: Festival of Majors). The goal is to revive and revise this event and more specifically target students in focus areas, students identified as transitioning out of a major or uncertain of their major. Collaboration between career services and academic programs will work to develop resources targeted interventions to support students in these at-risk categories. The event will be open to all enrolled students, as well as dual-enrolled students. Local high school students could also be invited to attend this event.
Action related to this goal has been implemented and completed. The Momentum Council coordinated with other campus partners–including University Advising and The Office of Career and Graduate School Connections in campus planning. While this event was first planned as a single, campus-wide event, the decision was made to create a two-day event. On the first day (October 24, 2023), The Office of Career and Graduate School connections organized and hosted a Career and Graduate School Fair. The event provided an opportunity for UWG students to explore career and post-graduation opportunities. Whether they were considering starting their career or continuing their education, the fair provided an experience to meet with businesses and graduate school representatives. Over 300 students attended. It was also one of the largest gatherings of employers and graduate schools present at one time on campus, with over 70 corporate and school partners participating. Key partnerships in attendance included City of Hope, Enterprise, Southwire, Team Georgia Careers, Waffle House (corporate), Wellstar Health System and Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. To further support students, professional staff from the Office of Career and Graduate School Connections provided support with resume development and job interviewing guides. On the following day (October 25, 2023), UWG hosted a Majors Fair in the campus ballroom. This was a revival of a Festival of Majors event that was held annually at UWG prior to the pandemic. In coordination with the Momentum Council, University Advising provided much of the institutional planning and logistical support for this campus event. While it included many of the features present in the pre-pandemic events, it was expanded to include information and specific guidance for students who were undecided about a major / minor or for students who were transitioning to a new major. The Office of Career and Graduate School Connections also participated to provide students with support on career exploration and resume development. Faculty and student representatives from every academic program on campus (39) participated, and over 425 students attended. While the event was advertised and open to all UWG students, targeted invitations were sent to students in First-Year Seminar and in the second- and third-year who were identified as needing additional support in degree progression.
Student and academic program surveys are being used in planning the event for next fall
