1. Your Academic Career at Texas A&M From Backpack to Briefcase Presented by: General Academic Programs Student Counseling Service Career Center

2. Top 10 Mistakes Freshmen Make 10.Not knowing catalog requirements for their degree. 9.Not being familiar with the academic calendar. 8.Listening to other students rather than looking in the catalog. 7.Having parents or others take care of their business. 6.Not following instructions for a procedure. 5.Expecting policies to apply to everyone except them. 4.Blaming mistakes on their advisor. 3.Forgetting to notify appropriate office of address/phone changes. 2.Neglecting to drop classes when not attending. - Dorothy Kaiser, Registrar’s Office, Hardin-Simmons University

3. 1. Not attending classes!!!

4. Take Charge!! This is YOUR education! It is YOUR responsibility!

5. General Academic Programs Hotard Hall

6. Academic Advisors ARE : Knowledgeable about degree programs Familiar with Rules and Regulations Experienced with designing balanced course loads Experts in creating educational and professional objectives that suit student’s demonstrated abilities and interests CAN: Assist with course selection and registration Help develop future career goals Process Q-drops and withdrawals Provide accurate information Refer students to specialized campus services

7. What Advisors Don’t Do Make choices for you Read minds Use Jedi powers on students Call you for daily check-ins

8. Core Curriculum Communications 6 hours Mathematics/Logic 6 hours Citizenship 12 hours Sciences 8 hours Social & Behavioral Sciences *3 hours Humanities *3 hours Visual & Performing Arts *3 hours Physical Education2 hours International & Cultural Diversity *6 hours *What does this mean?

9. General Studies (aka G-Studs!) We typically help: Undecided or undeclared students Less than 60 hours total college credit 2.0 A&M GPA Students find Waldo

11. Student Counseling Service Academic and Career Counseling &Testing Service Cain Hall

12. Transitioning to Aggieland This is your major task. Change, even good change, can be stressful. Be patient and give yourself time for the adjustment.

13. Transitioning to Aggieland How did you study in high school?

14. Transitioning to Aggieland Being a student is a full-time job. Study 2-3 hours per week, per class. Find a place to study other than your room. Make connections in class and join a study group.

15. Academic Counseling Academic counselors can help. Common academic counseling goals:  Improving time management skills  Improving concentration and avoiding distractions  Increasing academic motivation/attitude  Improving stress management skills  Increasing test grades  Decreasing test anxiety

16. Academic Counseling Students can meet with a counselor individually, as well as… Attend academic workshops:  Time Management  Study Success Strategies  Maintaining Focus Join an academic group Visit our Academic & Career Resource Center

17. Career Counseling How many know what career path they will follow after graduation? How do you know your best option?

18. Career Counseling Start with yourself. The more you learn about your interests, personality, values, and skills, the better decision you will make. Consider taking an assessment like the Strong Interest Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to help you make or confirm your decision. Students can meet individually with a counselor or participate in a career exploration group.

19. Student Counseling Service SCS also offers these services:  Personal counseling  Group counseling  Psychiatric services  Crisis Intervention  Learning Disability/ADD Screenings

20. Learning Disability/ADD Screenings Learning disability screenings are appropriate for all students who have concerns that they may have an undiagnosed learning disability or ADD. Screening is not the formal evaluation resulting in a diagnosis. It is a decision making tool for the student, because the formal evaluation is quite expensive. Screenings help determine if there is enough evidence of a learning disability or ADD to justify going forward with the formal evaluation.

21. Student Counseling Service All SCS services are covered by your Student Service fee. There are no additional charges. To schedule an initial appointment, students can visit our website: http://scs.tamu.edu

22. Career Center 209 Koldus Building

23. What the Career Center Can Do For You!

24. Career Advising Services for All Majors Career Coordinators Resume Reviews Job Search Skills Networking Contacts Walk-In or by Appointment 209 Koldus 845-5139

25. Career Resources Library Career Planning Information Internship Listings Major-related Resources

26. Online Services Already Paying for HireAggies.com Career and Industry Profiles AggieE-folio Salary Information CareerCenter.tamu.edu

27. Workshops For Now  Career Center Registration Orientation  Resume Writing  Career Fair Preparation  Interviewing Skills  Mock Interviews  Dress Your Professional Best  Dining Etiquette  Developing a Career Portfolio For a Little Later  Cooperative Education Orientation  Job Search Strategies  On-site Company Interviewing  Salary Evaluation and Negotiation  Applying to Graduate School  Industry Panel Discussions

28. Interviewing Services HireAggies.com Job Postings On-campus interviews (Over 14,000 conducted this year…Whoop!) Resumes Drops (Over 163,000 submitted this year!) Career Fairs (for all students and majors!)

29. Employers expect it! Increases your marketability at graduation! Confirm your major and career options Understand classroom theory vs. real world applications Earn $$$ Make employment contacts Develop confidence and professional skills Work Before Graduation To Gain Experience

30. How to Gain Experience Cooperative Education Externships Internships Work Abroad Job Shadowing

31. Career Center 209 Koldus Building (979) 845-5139 http://careercenter.tamu.edu Student Counseling Service Cain Hall (979) 845-4427 http://scs.tamu.edu General Academic Programs Hotard Hall (979) 845-5916 http://gest.tamu.edu From Backpack to Briefcase