College stresses most everyone out at one time or another. Imagine the stress of being a third-year student and not knowing what you would want to major in.The Alternatives Advising Program at Ohio State, founded in 1987, specializes in helping students explore opportunities based on interests, abilities, skills and values.Each year, about one-sixth of new students entering OSU are undecided about their majors and are entered into University College or the General Baccalaureate Curriculum. Once students have completed 65-70 earned credit hours without declaring a major, they are no longer eligible for the UVC program. Instead of students entering a major they are unsure of, the Alternatives Advising Program can help them make their career decision.”The main difference between the General Baccalaureate Curriculum and the Alternatives Advising Program is the number of earned hours,” said George E. Steele, coordinator of advising for University College.The Alternatives Advising Program is designed for students who have completed 60 or more credit hours and are still unsure about what they want to major in. The program also assists students who have either been denied admission to a selective program, or have been unsuccessful in completing prerequisites for a specific major program. The Alternative Advising Program also offers assistance to people who are interested in changing majors.When students reach a certain number of earned credit hours, sometimes they feel pressure to make decisions about a major. Students with more than 60 hours who are undecided or changing majors can take a course to help them through the process. The course, Edu: Paes 270.02, is taught by professor Melinda McDonald, program coordinator of the Alternatives Advising Program. The focus of the class is for exploration of majors, and students earn three credit hours for completing the course.”The course provides a structured way for students to conduct an academic and career search,” McDonald said.Students who are experiencing difficulty planning for their futures may also find it beneficial to visit the University College web site. The web site provides general information about both the General Baccalaureate Curriculum and the Alternatives Advising Program. It also gives students an opportunity to assess their needs and find out what they would like to do and what they can do with their skills and interests.The web site provides direct links with advisors and all colleges in the university. Students can also learn more about a variety of career paths as well as send e-mail to people who have graduated from college and are working in a career that interests the student.Students can attend briefings given daily by advisers which will enable them to use Discover and Sigi Plus, the university’s computerized planning systems.Students can access the website from any UTS public computer lab. The address is http://www.uvc.ohio-state.edu/capsheets/tmcefc.html. Steel encourages students to use the web site as a means of getting started. “The web site provides for self-directed exploration,” he said. “We are here to help students through one-on-one advising and the courses we teach.”Fabian Padamadan, a junior finance major, was referred to the Alternatives program by his UVC adviser. He had too many hours to be in UVC, but has not yet met the prerequisites to apply to the College of Business.”The advisers in the Alternatives program are very friendly and helpful,” Padamadan said. “They have helped me get on the right track towards getting admitted into the business school.”Christian Sabio, an undecided junior, also had too many hours to be in UVC. He said that the advisers in the program help him plan his schedule and decide what classes are beneficial. “The Alternatives Advising Program is helping me make career decisions and is steering me in the right direction based on the decisions I make,” Sabio said.For more information on the Alternatives Advising Program, students can make an appointment with a adviser or visit the office in room 207 Enarson Hall.
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