Olivia Volkman-Johnson / Winonan

As spring registration approaches, Winona State University students have the option of reaching out to on-campus resources to transform their majors from ‘undecided’ to declared.

The Warrior Success Center hosted the Major and Career Exploration Fair in East Hall of Kryzsko Commons last Wednesday, Oct. 26 to educate students about the numerous major and minor programs offered at Winona State and the careers they can lead to.

The major fair has been held every year for the past nine years but was recently adjusted to include information about various career opportunities, according Academic Advisor and Career Counselor Amy Meyer.

Meyer explained the purpose of the event is to allow students to speak with departments about various majors and minors and the future those programs may provide for a student.

“As an advisor, I meet with a lot of students who don’t even realize the scope of what’s out here [and] don’t understand what programs might be best suited for them as an individual—their interests, their skills, what they value, their personalities,” Meyer said.

This year, the fair had 41 tables full of faculty, students and alumni showcasing nearly all of the majors and minors offered at Winona State.

Professor Melanie Reap and junior elementary education student Laura Solbrack gave several reasons for the education department’s relevance at the fair.

“Teachers are the ones that create students who go on to other majors. We are like the source of all education,” Solbrack said.

“If you want doctors and plumbers and pilots and engineers, you got to have education,” Reap agreed.

Other departments vouched for their majors and minors due to their applicability in a variety of careers.

Lindsey Lowe, a senior at Winona State and president of the American Marketing Association, explained how a marketing major or minor can go a long way for students.

“I think it’s applicable to any field you go into. You’re always going to have to know how to market yourself and market your business,” Lowe said.

Eileen Moeller, a Winona State theatre and dance alumna who now works in the department office, also found flexibility in her major.

“When I was a student here, I directed, I stage managed, I wrote a play, I acted, I did electrics—everything. It’s a great way to find stuff that you’re interested in and a lot of that stuff can lead to other majors too,” Moeller said.

Other departments explained their importance in helping students with post-graduate opportunities, such as graduate school and job applications.

Erin White, a professor in the health exercise and rehabilitative sciences department, explained many students value the hands-on experiences offered at Winona State.

“We intertwine a lot of community service with our practicum and internship opportunities so [students] come out with real life experience and skills, ready to obtain a job,” White said.

Jonathon Mauser, a professor in the chemistry department, also has seen how students graduate from Winona State with a valuable experience.

“A large number of our majors do research within the department…so it’s a big, attractive thing for post-graduate programs to look at.” Mauser said. “It’s kind of a thing that makes our majors stand out against people from other majors.”

Though there is over 300 degree programs, according to Winona State. Meyer hopes that the fair allowed students to learn more about program offerings and find a program that best suits them.

“Having conversations with professionals in the field and faculty trained in a specific program just opens up so much more information and understanding for students,” Meyer said. “Sometimes conversations allow students to ask questions and learn more. It’s more than you can get off a website.”

-By Olivia Volkman-Johnson