By Alexis McCarney ’25, staff writer 

Many students graduating high school face a tough question – what career should one pursue?    

At 18, most people do not know what they want to do careerwise.  However, LVC has a program to help those who are unsure.    

“There is a lot of pressure for 17 and 18-year-olds to magically know what they want to do in life, and that’s not realistic.” Elizabeth Julian, assistant dean of student success and retention, said.

Samantha Miller is a sophomore sociology major who just declared her major at the beginning of September.  After going through LVC’s exploratory program for undecided students, she feels it has helped her find her passion.    

“I chose LVC because they have the number one job placement after college in the state and a good study abroad program,” the sophomore said.  

The exploratory program offers students the opportunity to research interests they are considering pursuing without committing.  This program may be a good fit for students who are unsure about what they want to do.    

“I was considering teaching and actually got to observe a classroom even though I was not declared as an early childhood education major,” Miller said. “LVC allowed me to have that experience which helped me rule that out as a possible major.”  

Since the Exploratory program at LVC launched in 2020, it has more than doubled in size from 14 to 43 for the incoming class in 2021. The current number of first-year Exploratory students is 33 for 2022.   

“We try to make students comfortable with the fact that they don’t have it all figured out – they don’t have to,” Julian said.   

Nationally, about 75 percent of students who enter college with a major change it at least once.  At LVC, it is ok to be unsure.  Choosing a career path is a big decision, but many resources are available to help.    

In the Exploratory first-year experience class, students are connected with the Breen Center for Career and Professional Development to make connections, research, and access many resources to help them advance in their academic careers.   

Guest speakers from different departments also visit the class to introduce students to what majors this campus has to offer.   

In addition, exploratory majors also have advisors they can rely on to help them through the process of scheduling and choosing classes that they think they will enjoy.    

“My advisor is easy to contact and willing to help me explore different possible careers and classes,” Miller said. “I could test the waters.”    

Currently, 62 students on campus are in the program.  LVC’s exploratory program has helped many people, including Miller, find a path.  This program allows students access to many resources to help them succeed.