By Michelle Holt
With the goal of being a linebacker, Val McQuiston came to BYU. He tried out by walking-on and beat the odds when he achieved a spot on the football team. His football career came to an end, however, after learning he had a broken vertebra.
With the goal of pursuing football no longer an option, McQuiston turned to other interests. Church and scouting led him to a major in scouting education, his new passion.
McQuiston is one of many students who step outside the norm and have found an unusual major to pursue.
'Whatever you like to do, do that. You''ll be better at it,' McQuiston said. 'Employers are looking for a good employee with a degree, not just a degree.'
So what is scouting education? Advanced camping techniques, and beginning knot tying? McQuiston laughed as he said most people assume that all they do is go camping.
Scouting education students learn the business operations of non-profit organizations with an emphasis in marketing and finance, McQuiston said. The difference lies in focusing on the Boy Scouts of America organization instead of general business studies.
'I was looking at doing business, but when I found this I thought, ''This looks too good to be true,'' he said. 'It seemed like too much fun.'
McQuiston said what he loves most about the major is the opportunity he gets to work with important community leaders and organizations.
Also, lesser-known minors can add spice to a well-known major.
Aerospace studies is a great example of a lesser-known minor. Captain Christopher Walker, assistant professor of aero studies, said the minor trains individuals to be effective leaders in the Air Force environment.
While the majority of students enrolled in the minor are Air Force ROTC cadets, Walker said the minor also has non-ROTC students and can be combined with any major. He recommends that interested students come and talk to advisers in the ROTC building, or try it out. There is no commitment for students who just want to know more, he said.
'Anyone can learn to be a leader as long as they are willing to learn and are dedicated,' Walker said.
The minor also offers several scholarships for students who enroll in the Air Force ROTC. About a third of freshmen and about 85 percent of juniors and seniors in the program have scholarships.
Students who don''t have a clue about an unusual major can take a closer look by asking a few questions.
Margaret Wright, an actuarial science major, often receives blank stares when she tells people what she studies. Her major studies how to make financial predictions based on random variables. She, like other students in a lesser-known major, loves taking a minute to explain the obscurity to others.
'The average person changes their career path seven times,' McQuiston said. 'They should take some time and see what is offered beyond the norms.'
Tips on finding a major
* Take Student Development 117: Career Exploration
* Check out the Career and Learning Information Center (CLIC) in WSC 2590 or call 422-2689
* Take a career assessment test available in the CLIC
* Make an appointment with a career and academic adviser in the University Advisement Center, 422-3826
* Talk to students, professors and professionals
Tips provided by Jeff Buell, academic and career adviser
Some unusual majors
* Bioinformatics - Integrative Biology
* Jazz Studies - School of Music
* Sound Recording Technology - School of Music
* Urban, Rural, and Environmental Planning - Geography
* Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation - Integrative Biology
* Therapeutic Recreation - Recreation Management
Some unusual minors
* Computers and the Humanities - Linguistics and English Language
* Geographic Info Systems - Geography
* Gerontology
* Military Science