Andrews University offers a large variety of majors on campus, and if you’ve been curious about what it’s like to study a field different from your own, this is the article for you. I asked some students about their majors and what exactly that entails to give us a look into all of the interesting disciplines that exist here at Andrews.
What is your major?
Zachariah Dulcich: architecture (junior)
Anastasia Psechnik: computer science (senior)
Michelle Rivera: political science (junior)
Kirsten Wilkens: business management (sophomore)
Why did you choose your major?
Zachariah: I like being creative and I like being able to physically see my work have an impact on the world. I can’t stand to work and never see the fruits of my labor with my own eyes.
Anastasia: Computer science challenges me to think outside the box every day, helps my mental focus and pushes me to be more efficient in the way I think. It's not an easy major! I'm sure not everyone in CS struggles the same, but I know that I, for one, am more right-brained than left-brained, and some math and programming concepts take time to settle into my brain. But despite that fact, I enjoy taking the challenge of thinking critically and using problem-solving to create solutions that make everyday life run more smoothly!
Michelle: I chose my major because of its broadness and duality of both humanistic perspectives/scientific skills. I love learning about politics/history in America and other countries.
Kirsten: Business is very versatile and I know a lot of people go into it not really knowing what they want to be, but it is something that you can explore.
What do you foresee doing with your major after you graduate?
Zachariah: Work for a firm doing high budget custom residential housing, and possibly opening my own firm doing that one day.
Anastasia: Since I enjoy the artistic side of things, I have been more drawn to the fields dealing with UX/UI design, research, web development and maybe even digital marketing/analysis. I'm very interested in seeing the direct result of my solutions on users and their digital experience.
Michelle: I either want to go to law school or pursue my master’s degree in international development.
Kirsten: With my degree I would like to go into healthcare administration and possibly work in a hospital or a nursing home.
How have you enjoyed your classes and department so far?
Zachariah: The classes are very challenging, but overall I enjoy my major and the classes it comes with.
Anastasia: The CS department is supportive, but you do have to speak out if you are struggling to understand or need additional help. The professors are always willing to explain concepts and have a chat with you! I have been enjoying most of my classes, although it takes the right mindset to listen and try to understand every concept being presented. It definitely helps to have an interest in the topic and to know that what you're learning will be useful to you!
Michelle: My classes have been engaging and thought provoking, offering a fulfilling learning experience. I love how close knit my department is.
Kirsten: I have definitely enjoyed my department and classes. I think that some classes are hard but you meet a lot of people and everyone is willing to help. And they always have events going on.
What advice would you give to any new students in your major?
Zachariah: Time management is your best friend. You will feel like giving up, don’t. Sleep when you can, because it is a precious gift in this major.
Anastasia: Network and collaborate. Networking is really important in the tech industry. It not only allows you to learn new things from people with varying skill sets, but can also help you find internships and jobs. Collaborating with others also exposes you to ideas you could have never thought of yourself! Also, don't forget to enjoy programming outside of classes! It helped me a lot when I sat down on my own and began working on independent projects. Not only does it give you the confidence in your own skills, but also teaches you perseverance, creativity and critical thinking that you can't always get from classes alone. Classes teach you theory, but only you can put it all in practice!
Michelle: Advice I would give to a new political science student is to discover your own journey in this major. Explore career opportunities and find what suits you most. Also, make sure to READ all the material that is given to you.
Kirsten: I would say to meet new people in your classes, that way if you are struggling and can’t always ask the teacher, you can ask your friends.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.