SALISBURY — At the inaugural showcase of “Majors, Minors and More!” Catawba students learned what careers they could enjoy by selecting a particular academic course of study. The idea was for students, especially those undecided about their academic major, to thoughtfully consider their choices and to select a major that would fuel their passion.
The event held in Leonard Lounge of the Cannon Student Center was sponsored by the offices of retention and academic resources, career services and the provost. Although Catawba offers more than 70 fields of study, students are often confused about where a particular course of study could lead them career-wise.
Freshman Joan Hedrick of Elon said she took advantage of the event “because I wanted to have the opportunity to speak with faculty about different options. I spoke with the teacher education faculty and learned more about the club they manage and more about their upcoming events. “This event is good for freshmen who don’t know what they want to major in and are having trouble deciding. I went with a friend and we found it very helpful. And you could declare you major at the event!”
Hedrick’s attendance at “Majors, Minors and Moore!” also earned her a prize. She won a drawing for an iPad mini.
Students like Hedrick also learned that if they cannot find exactly the major they want to pursue, they have the ability to create their own individualized major at Catawba. With faculty support, these students can literally write their own academic ticket.
“As part of the college’s mission, the faculty seek to combine the strengths and qualities of the liberal studies with career preparation — meaning, that along with knowledge in an area of study, you gain the qualities that employers want in today’s college graduates: communication skills, critical thinking, analytical problem solving, team work and leadership, to name a few,” said Dr. Michael Bitzer, Catawba’s provost.
Bitzer admonished students to model Thomas A. Edison: “It’s wise to keep in mind the words of Thomas A. Edison on his career choice: ‘I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.’ Find an area of study that you are passionate about, and that passion will turn into a fulfillment of Edison’s words throughout your career.”