UNDECLARED EXPLORATION NATIONALLY, AN ESTIMATED 50% OF STUDENTS ENTER COLLEGE UNDECIDED ON THEIR MAJOR. In addition, an estimated 75% of students change their major at least once before graduating. High Point University has the answer to this trend with Project Discovery: a program that provides the guidance and resources that students need to discover their passion and achieve their goals. Check out the 8 “Light Bulb” Moments of Project Discovery — your guide to uncovering your academic passion.
HPU’s Plan for Undeclared Students 1. IT STARTS WITH YOU AND YOUR SUCCESS COACH
You will partner with a Success Coach who is passionate about helping you discover the right major and form positive connections with campus organizations related to your interests. This happens as early as the December ahead of enrollment for early decision students or the March before for regular admitted students.
2. THERE’S A CLASS FOR THAT!
During “Exploring Your Major and Career Path,” the one-credit course designed to help you explore your options, a Career Advisor will guide you through self-reflection and assessment tools such as PathwayU. You’ll also be able to connect with professionals in fields you’re considering to ask thoughtful questions and learn more.
3. THEY’VE WALKED IN YOUR SHOES.
Sometimes we learn best from someone like us — a peer. First-Year Navigators are HPU students selected by the Office of Student Success to mentor first-year students. As an undeclared student, you will be connected with First-Year Navigators who were once undeclared, too. They know exactly what you are going through and will help you explore your options.
4. “WHAT’S MY MAJOR?” DAY
This event, hosted each semester by the Office of Student Success and the Office of Career and Professional Development, is a great opportunity to work with Success Coaches and Career Advisors to explore major and career options and discover the best fit for you!
www.highpoint.edu/projectdiscovery
5. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS MAJOR?
When you find a major that seems great, you’ll also want to understand what you can do with that degree once you graduate. HPU’s career advisors will help you understand how your major translates to real-world career paths.
6. CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORS: YOUR PEOPLE
You’ll see them in some of your classes and engage with them in Cottrell Hall. Your Career Advisor will explain the many resources available to you in the Career Center — headquarters of the years of support and guidance that will lead to your portrait appearing on the HPU Young Alumni Career Wall!
7. COFFEE CONNECTIONS
Throughout each semester, faculty members host opportunities to meet with students who may have questions about a specific major. Casual in nature, these interactions allow you to connect with faculty, learn more about various programs and identify best-fit majors! You can attend as many of these meetings as you want, and you are always invited to have one-on-one visits with a professor to discuss opportunities within a major.
8. PEER CAREER ADVISORS
Visit with the Peer Career Advisors (PCAs) to get additional support. PCAs help you get started crafting a resume that can lead you to hands-on exploration of summer jobs and internships. Convenient walk-in hours in the Career and Professional Development Office ensure you have continuous support to guide you on your journey.
UNDECLARED EXPLORATION ACADEMIC SCHOOLS
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
• Congdon School of Health Sciences • David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design • Earl N. Phillips School of Business • Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy • Nido R. Qubein School of Communication • School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences • School of Law • School of Nursing • School of Optometry • Stout School of Education • Wanek School of Natural Sciences • Webb School of Engineering • Workman School of Dental Medicine
HPU HAS A PROGRAM FOR YOU! SCAN THE QR CODE TO FURTHER EXPLORE OUR DEGREES AND PROGRAMS!
www.highpoint.edu/academics
Hannah Gutenstein, ‘21
Olivia Lender, ‘22
“The most impactful moment at HPU was when I declared my major early in my second semester of freshman year. I came to HPU with my major as undeclared, but I knew I was interested in communications as a potential path. I took my first communications class in the fall of my freshman year and never looked back. Four years ago, I would have never believed how much I enjoyed school because I finally got to learn about something I found exciting.”
“Coming in undeclared my freshman year, I used the career advisors and my Success Coach in the Office of Career and Professional Development to determine my major. Brandon Floyd, assistant director of career and professional development, conducted a mock interview with me that made an impact on me, and he helped me throughout the application process for my position at Fidelity. Brandon helped prepare me for all the interviews and calmed me down. I would have never survived the interviews without him.”
Major: Strategic Communication Candidate, MS in Global Media at London School of Economics, MA in Global Communication at University of Southern California
Major: Human Relations and Psychology Emerging Leader Associate at Fidelity Investments