The latter group needs sympathetic guidance. Many of our alums end up in careers seemingly very unrelated to their majors. Breadth and flexibility are the most important content aspect of their education. Students can and should speak with faculty and students in any area of interest. A combination of a major and a minor can give a student some depth in more than one field.
Internships can be helpful in focusing a student toward or away from a career of interest.
For a small group of sophomores, the advisor may have to guide them sympathetically away from a major that they have, in fact, started, but in which they are doing very badly. Occasionally sophomores suffer loss of their own dreams, or of family dreams, about potential careers, not to mention changes in self-image. If you do not know to whom a student should be referred, the Director of Academic Advising or the Dean of Students may be helpful. Off-campus study is good for this group, as well as for satisfied students. Please see our Statement of Responsibility .