MAJOR Night helps students decide future career pathways

Midland Pre-Health Advisor and Professor at CMU and Kawkawlin sophomore Stacy Lange, who is going into pre-med, discuss ways she can gain further experience within her major at Major Night in the UC Rotunda Wednesday night. “I wanted to learn the best way to get patient care hours,” said Lange. (Taylor Ballek/ Staff Photographer)

Alyssa Soltis, a freshman at Central Michigan University, is among the more than 200 of those who attended Many Advisors Joined under One Roof Night on Wednesday.

“I don’t know what my major is (and) it’s a way to get more information,” Soltis said.

M.A.J.O.R Night is an annual event at Central Michigan University for students like Soltis who are undecided on what they want to major in.

“In order to investigate a major, students must check in the bulletin and do all of that leg work themselves,” said Lynne L’Hommedieu, an academic advisor and head of M.A.J.O.R. Night.

By attending Wednesday’s event, however, they had the opportunity to speak with multiple academic advisers from many different programs.

“We turn it into a shopping mall for major advisers,” L’Hommedieu said.

Upon entering the Bovee University Center’s Rotunda, students were given a bag to hold all of the materials they gathered throughout the night. Once inside the Rotunda, there were booths set up with various advisors representing every major at CMU Inside the door was a map of the layout of the stations for the night and a staff member to help students find exactly what they were looking for.

Once pointed in the right direction, students had the opportunity to meet with advisers. Once a student reached a booth, advisers were helped by understanding the common concerns that students have about choosing and actively pursuing a major.

“We want to make sure (students) are taking the right courses,” said William Merril, a professor of teacher education and professional development department.

Merrill was among many professors, advisers and chairpeople sitting at a booth with handouts and information about the majors, minors and courses related to their subjects.

“We want to make sure (students) know their resources,” said Karen Edwards, director of student teaching. “MAJOR Night provided students with all of the information for any major they were considering pursuing in one convenient location.”

Ed Simpson, an assistant professor of journalism, had never been a part of the event before this year.

“(They) needed people, so I volunteered. It’s a good way to meet the students,” Simpson said.

Other advisors had been a part of MAJOR Night before. They continue to come back because they like what the program is offering.

“It allows students to see other possibilities,” English department chairman Bill Wandless said.