Getting involved can lead to doing better academically (if you plan well!)
Going to class is most important, but academic advisors also recognize the importance of learning and activities that take place outside of the classroom. Student Life, a division of Student Affairs, is committed to providing students with an enriched learning environment and is home to endless extracurricular programs ranging from nearly 200 clubs and organizations to leadership workshops to wellness resources. At UB you will be able to join a club or attend a program that may relate to your academic, cultural, religious, sporting, and/or any other type of interest. Do something that is important to you…something you enjoy…or even try to develop interests in new clubs and activities.
For a comprehensive listing of UB’s extracurricular activities and programs follow this link http://www.getinvolved.buffalo.edu/ Remember though…It’s ok to take things slowly, don’t become overburdened your first semester and don’t get involved in so many things that you spread yourself thin—use time management skills.
The Career Services Office
Your choice of major should reflect both your interests and goals – and help lead you to a fulfilling and engaging career. This is an important decision that, as a new college student, can be both daunting and challenging. With over 100 majors to choose from, there are many opportunities for you to explore!
Thankfully, along with academic advisement, we have a department on campus that is devoted to assisting students with their long-term goals and helping them find a major that will lead to a related and relevant career.
Career Services is where you should turn for advice on career opportunities, self-assessment surveys, resume and interviewing help, information about jobs on and off campus, and many more related subjects. They have a good FAQ section about these services, and contact information can also be found when you visit the site.
The Career Services web site also has a lot of great resources to help you begin thinking about your goals and the process of self-discovery. It can help you research different occupations, and perhaps even initiate looking ahead to graduate school.
As a new student, your journey starts here (http://www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/student.shtml), where you should begin by selecting topics of interest to you. Those of you undecided about a career path will want to check out “Discover” , which is an on-line self-assessment tool. From there, discuss your results with a Career Counselor and find out what possibilities await you.
This is an exciting time for you, and Career Services is there to help you plan ahead and find a successful and suitable career choice! If you are undecided about a major, talking with both your Academic Advisor and taking advantage of Career Services will provide advice and direction.
Career Services is located at 259 Capen Hall and their number is (716) 645-2231.
During orientation many of you were introduced to the CURCA office and it’s services. Please check the CURCA website often www.curca.buffalo.edu to learn of new research opportunities that are specifically tailored to undergraduate students. In working with a faculty mentor on an actual research project you will gain the knowledge, confidence and experience necessary in your field of interest. Undergraduate Researchers are confident in their educational and professional goals, are better prepared for graduate level studies and form lasting relationships with prominent researchers in their fields of interest.
Research can be in a lab, at a computer, on a stage, in an art studio…there are no limits to what form a research project may take….
Along with links to research opportunities, the CURCA website also announces upcoming “undergraduate research workshops” as well as links to information on nationally Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships. Take some time to check out the site and add it to your list of favorites.
If you are a first-semester freshman and are interested in taking part in a small classroom experience that engages you with a distinguished UB faculty member, then be sure to ask your academic advisor about the Freshman Seminar Discovery Program this fall semester. This program introduces students to the exciting intellectual atmosphere at UB, including four different seminars which focus on current disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics in a faculty member’s field.
Fall 2006 Seminars Include:
Language Myths
Taught by: Jorge Guitart, Romance Languages and Literatures
Tuesdays, 10-10:50 am
Nanostructured Materials: Devices and Applications
Taught by: Alexander Cartwright, Electrical Engineering
Wednesdays, 12-12:50 pm
Early Modern Thought and Culture
Taught by: David Castillo, Romance Languages and Literatures
Fridays, 12-12:50 pm
Energy: Science, Technology, and the Environment
Taught by: Michael Ryan, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Thursdays, 4-4:50 pm
Each seminar meets once per week for 50 minutes and students will receive 1 letter-graded credit hour for completing the course. For more information or for registration, freshman should contact their academic advisor for assistance. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from our faculty and explore various academic possibilities!
UB’s Office of Career Services sponsors the Meet-a-Mentor program, a searchable database of UB alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and employers who volunteer to serve as a resource to students exploring careers and seeking job search advice. This program, co-sponsored by the UB Alumni Association, has been connecting UB students and alumni since 1991. Presently, there are approximately 475 professionals in the database representing a wide variety of majors and occupations.
The web address for the Meet-a-Mentor program is: www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/stumentor.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain career advice, job and internship assistance, job shadowing, networking, inspiration and so much more! For more information on the Meet-a-Mentor program, contact Career Services.
