Lasers, free food and over 3,000 BYU students might sound like a wild college party, but it’s actually just a taste of what can be found at the 13th annual BYU Major Fair.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, students can come to the WSC Ballroom and Garden Court to find out more about the majors they’ve been considering.
Jeff Buell, one of BYU’s academic advisers in charge of the event, said the fair provides a great opportunity for students to learn more about the many majors offered at BYU.
It’s an opportunity for students to meet not only with professors from a major, but also with students who are already in the major. Some of the booths will have professionals already working in the major with whom students can speak to learn more about career opportunities.
“Choosing a major is a process, not an event,” Buell said. “This fair can play a major role in helping students with that process.”
University Advisement Center Director Karen Evans said it’s normal for students to have doubts when picking a major.
“The number-one reason people seek advisement at BYU is for help picking a major,” Evans said. “This fair is a really fun opportunity for students to take a look at multiple majors and see what they might like.”
Evans said only 17 percent of students graduate in the first major they select. She said most students who come to BYU actually aren’t positive what they want to major in, despite how it may seem to some students.
“The people at each booth do some really cool stuff to build interest in their majors,” Buell said. “We’ve had science departments bring in lasers, food departments bring in treats and all kinds of majors have given out free stuff.”
Evans said the major helps indecisive students choose a major quicker, “which in turn means they don’t have to spend as much time at BYU.”
“We love our students and we’re happy to have them, but the quicker they leave, the less money they have to spend on education,” Evans said.
Ellen Ford, a public relations major at BYU, attended the fair last year and found a major she fell in love with. Ford said she was desperate to nail down a major as she approached the maximum number of credits allowed before a student must select a major. The fair gave her an opportunity to dive in and find the information she needed.
“I was able to grill people: ‘How hard is this major? How many years will this take? Can I use this after I graduate? Are there even careers out there for someone majoring in this?'” Ford said.
Ford trimmed her options down and finally settled on a major she now loves after visiting the booths that interested her at the fair. Ford encourages any student looking for more information on majors to visit the fair.
“If you have any doubts about what you want to major in, then go,” Ford said. “The fair provides clarity for each specific major works.”
Students can get more information about the fair and grab some free popcorn at an informational booth set up in front of WSC 2500 on Oct 16, 17 and 18.
