Freshmen, sophomores and faculty alike flocked to the 2011 Majors Fair in the Bryan Center’s Schaefer Mall Tuesday. The Majors Fair is an annual event sponsored by the Academic Advising Center intended to expose students to the many academic offerings at Duke. The 2011 fair boasted displays and information from more than 80 major departments and programs. The Chronicle’s Emelyn Erickson spoke with students and faculty about their impressions of this year’s fair.
“It’s wonderful to see the students come in and explore their options. In the Global Health Institute, we tell our students to take a course. We encourage intellectually sampling across campus because that’s the only way to get a feeling for what you want to do. The Majors Fair is just the first step of that process.”
—Sherryl Broverman, associate professor of the practice of biology and director of the Global Health Certificate
“I’m considering a few different majors that I’m interested in and I want to figure out which ones fit—what I want to do. I’m pre-med, but as a physician I’d like to have a broader scope of perspective. I’ve found things in [Neuroscience, Public Policy and Program II] that I think will give me that type of foundation.”
—Anusha Singh, freshman
“I’m on the track to become a Public Policy major. I came to the Majors Fair to figure out what I want to do on top of that. I’m thinking about an education minor because later on I either want to teach or go into child and family policy. Coming to the fair is helpful to figure out logistics and create a plan. I’m getting some good info.”
—Michelle Burrows, sophomore
“I’m considering a Public Policy major, but I’m not completely decided, so it’s a good opportunity to see all the different majors represented. I’m taking a Political Science class right now, and it’s a really strong department. Plus, I’m considering pre-law. The pre-law advising table is also really helpful.”
—Julia Janco, freshman
“It’s a great turn-out this year, and we have more departments represented. We are also doing something new this year. Deans, peer advisors and academic advisors are around for on-spot advising, which is different from past years when students had to navigate the majors fair for themselves.”
—Dean Elizabeth Fox, Director of Academic Advising Center
“I am completely undecided, but I wanted to find out more information about how to mesh my interests. I would like to shape my own path, so I’m looking at a Program II or interdepartmental major in Music and Public Policy.”
—Brandee Branche, sophomore
“It’s really nice to have someone directly answer my questions, mostly about major requirements and career options.”
—Rhea Chitalia, freshman
“This is actually my first Majors Fair. I came to try to recruit future majors in Statistics. I think that it’s a great way to ask lots of different questions and learn about different majors all in one place.”
—Kari Lock, assistant professor of the practice in Statistical Science
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