Month: July 2021

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Tips for Choosing a Major

Choosing a major can be a little bit overwhelming. You may find yourself thinking, where do I start? How do I know this is right for me? Why are there so. many. options???

Photo from: http://academicsupport.auburn.edu/aubie-tired/

If the idea of choosing a major is making you feel like Aubie- we’re here to help! At Auburn, we have 150+ majors housed in our 12 colleges and schools. So how do you decide what’s right for you? I’m sharing a few tips that I think will help guide you in your path to choosing a major.

  1. Find your passions-  “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”. When choosing a major or a future career, think about where your passions lie. You will enjoy your studies and your day-to-day work life if you’re doing something you’re passionate about. Using your passions and strengths to your advantage is a great start to choosing a major.
  2. Do your research- Take a look at all the majors a college has to offer. Speak to the colleges and majors you are most interested in. Try to visit the facilities, speak to faculty or staff, maybe even reach out to students in that area to see if it’s something they love. You can also consider job-shadowing or taking career advice from professionals in the field. Learning all you can about a major will help in your decision.
  3. Don’t judge a book by its cover- … or a college by its title? Sometimes college names can be a little deceiving. Some colleges and majors are self-explanatory, like College of Sciences and Mathematics or College of Engineering. But some colleges, like the College of Human Sciences or the College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences have more to them than what meets the eye. Make sure you are looking into all of your options instead of just the majors you’ve heard of a thousand times. You might find a hidden gem that meets all of your passions and expectations.
  4. Career first- major second- How many times have you been asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” You can take that same approach when choosing a major. If you know what job or career interests you most, you can use that to find a major.
  5. Narrow it down- Consider making a short list of your top 5 possibilities. See what similarities and differences they have. Having a shorter list after your initial search into all of the majors can help you further research what each program has to offer.
  6. Use your resources- College campuses have a number of resources available to help you succeed. The Career Center is a great tool to have. They offer career counseling, workshops, personality and career assessments and more! As you work through your first couple of years in college, visit the career center often and take advantage of what they have to offer. They are sure to help guide you towards the perfect major.
  7. Take Your Time- most major-level courses won’t begin until the majority of core and pre-requisite courses have been completed. This means you have, on average, two years before you have to declare a major. Don’t rush into choosing a major before you’re ready, or before you have to. Enjoy all of your core classes and see if any of those spark inspiration.
  8. Know what education is required- will you need to attend graduate or professional school to achieve your goals? Will adding a minor better support your career? Make sure you look at what level of education is required for your career of choice. This will let you know what major to choose, what pre-requisites you will need to take, and how many years you may be in school.
  9. Explore your options- Here at Auburn University we have the perfect place for that. Instead of choosing “undeclared” on your admissions application, you can choose to join our Exploratory Program. This “major” is a great resource for students to learn all about the majors Auburn has to offer. Career assessments, personality tests, class-shadowing, you name it. Exploratory has the tools to help you find your perfect fit. You will complete this program by the end of your freshman year and then can transfer seamlessly into your major of choice.
  10. It’s okay to change your mind- As you grow as a person and learn more about Auburn, you may strike up new passions and interests. You will be exposed to new people and experiences when you begin your college years. If you find something that suits you better, Auburn will support you in making that change. You can work with our campus resources, the career center, and your academic advisors to make the change that will be best for you!

No matter what you decide, your path is out there. You may just have to dig a little to find it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Here at Auburn University, we want to make sure you are not only leaving with a great education but that you are prepared for life. We are here to inspire, innovate, and transform you so that you can do the same for others.

Be sure to check out a full list of our majors to see what opportunities Auburn University can offer you!

https://www.auburn.edu/admissions/majors.php

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All About Toomer’s Corner

By: Lenzy Borden

The tradition of the rolling the Auburn Oaks at Toomer’s Corner returned Sept. 10, 2016, after a football win over Arkansas State. | http://www.auburn.edu/main/oaks/

What’s is Toomer’s Corner?

Toomer’s Corner is home to one of Auburn University’s most cherished traditions and one of Southern Living’s Top 100 Things to Do Before You Die. Let’s dive into a little history of this landmark. You will likely hear different forms of the story on campus visits and at Camp War Eagle, but this is how I like to tell it best:

Mr. Sheldon Toomer bought the drug store from his Stepfather after completing Pharmacy School at Auburn University (known then as Alabama Polytechnic Institute) in 1896. This drug store was the only business in town to own a telegraph, and when Auburn’s football team played away-games, they were the only ones around to get the current score.

As Auburn scored and Toomer’s received the updates, the employees would take the ticker tape from the telegraph and tape it to the windows. The more paper, the better Auburn was doing. Fans in the community would stop by, check the score, and go about their day. When they would post the final score that Auburn had won, the fans would rip the paper off of the windows and throw it in the oak trees at the corner of campus. This was the best way to let everyone know that our boys were bringing home another victory.

Eventually, ticker tape got to be expensive, so at some point we switched over to toilet paper, but the tradition is something we do for every victory we see. The picture below is from the 2010 National Championship. We take this pretty seriously, don’t you think?

Nov 25, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; View of Toomer’s Corner after the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; View of Toomer’s Corner before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-360260 ORIG FILE ID: 20171125_sal_ah2_0743.JPG

Did Someone Say Lemonade?

Crossing the street back towards downtown, Toomer’s Drug Store is home to one of Southern Living’s Top 100 Things to Do Before You Die– try the lemonade. Toomer’s lemonade is a favorite of all who try it. You can go classic with the regular lemonade, or try one of their flavors. My favorite is the Strawberry-Lemonade for the real strawberries, and the frozen options are amazing. Ice cream, soda floats, Toomer’s T-shirts, and lemonade by the gallon can all be found at the heart of our downtown here in Auburn, Alabama.

https://www.aotourism.com/Arts-and-Culture/6/Toomers-Corner/

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Get to Know the College of Architecture, Design and Construction

By Katherine Buck Chastain

The College of Architecture, Design and Construction, or as we call it the CADC, is a community of designers and thinkers, builders and makers, leaders and stewards. We have more than 100 faculty and staff teaching and supporting about 1,550 undergraduate students studying in six programs.

Our students learn to create, design, and build the world around us. Learn more about our programs from some of our faculty and students below:

Allie Pelafos — Architecture and Interior Architecture

Auburn’s Architecture program, founded in 1907, is the oldest Architecture program in the south and is consistently ranked among the top 15 Bachelor of Architecture programs in the country by DesignIntelligence. Allie Pelafos is a 5th year senior from Champaign, Illinois and she says she chose Auburn because of how many opportunities the program offered. “I instantly felt at home on campus. I was looking at the top ranked Architecture and Interior Design programs in the country. The Architecture/Interior Architecture concurrent degree gave me the opportunity to achieve both goals within 5 years. Learning the ins and outs of a building while creating so many connections so early on in my career was a chance I could not pass up.”  

As a third year student Allie was selected for our degree program in Interior Architecture, which is offered concurrently with the Bachelor of Architecture degree. She also traveled to Rome through the Architecture program’s study abroad opportunities. “Being able to immerse yourself as a student allows you to learn so much about yourself and others that you can apply to projects long term.”  

Allie is the 2021-2022 CADC Ambassador President. “I recommend prospective students who are looking at Architecture school to also consider the university as a whole. You want to pick a place that offers enough opportunities where your education will flourish through your individual interests and goals.”

Upon graduation in May Allie hopes to serve others through architecture. “I want to use my degrees to better the lives of others. Maybe healthcare design? I am keeping options open and looking forward to thesis year!”

Logan Bozeman — Building Science

Our Bachelor of Science in Building Construction degree focuses on construction management and teaches students how to execute, plan and manage construction projects from beginning to end. McWhorter School of Building Science alumni become estimators, project managers, virtual design construction managers and superintendents at construction companies all over the world. Logan Bozeman, a senior from Wetumpka, Alabama, is soon to be one of those alumni!

Logan will graduate from Auburn Building Science in December and is looking forward to his transition into industry. “One of the biggest things I am looking forward to is getting to work on a project from the ground up. I can’t wait to see something come together and look back on it for years and say, ‘I was a part of building that.’ ”

During his time in the program Logan has been involved in student organizations like Associated General Contractors (AGC) Student Chapter and is a CADC Ambassador. He has also been a member of three regional and national competition teams. “I enjoy competition teams because they give you real world experience on what you will be doing after college: things that range from estimating to making a schedule to running a company.”

Upon graduation Logan hopes to move into a pre-construction or project management role with a general contracting company. When asked why he chose Auburn’s Building Science program Logan said, “I grew up playing with Legos and games like Minecraft and thought that would lead to architecture, but I realized the hands-on component that existed in Building Science was my true passion.”

Katie Henry — Environmental Design

Environmental Design is the broadest, most flexible degree offered in the CADC. Students in the program learn core knowledge of all design and construction fields as well as business practices related to human-designed environments. Sustainability is woven throughout the curriculum, and together these subjects lead our students to become extremely versatile and prepared for anything the industry could throw at them. Katie Henry, a senior from Hartselle, Alabama, is finishing her final studio this semester. “I chose to major in Environmental Design because I am the type of person who likes to know a lot about everything. Environmental Design allows me to scratch every itch when it comes to my desire for knowledge. We specialize in systematic thinking and systematic design. I believe everything is connected and my degree allows me to find those connections.”  

It is a common theme among Environmental Design students to want to positively impact the world with their creations. Katie is no exception. “I hope in 10-15 years I can be a part of starting a non-profit organization that serves orphans in third world countries. So much of what we learn in Environmental Design focuses on understanding sustainable design. There are many third world countries who do not use their resources to the fullest extent. I hope to work with world leaders to improve the designs of orphanages throughout the world through my non-profit. “

As President of the Environmental Design Student Organization, Katie participated in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rainwater Challenge. “Competitions are not for the faint of heart! Patience, team collaboration, managing others, typography, time management and most of all leadership skills. I recommend everyone to take the opportunity, if given, to manage a design team because it allows you to become a better designer.”

Kaiyah King — Graphic Design

Graphic Designers use words, pictures, typefaces and graphics to convey messages, often to large groups of people. From logo and stationery design to interactive media like website design and motion graphics, visual communication is their specialty.

Kaiyah King, a senior from Energy, Illinois, holds two on-campus jobs, served as the VP of Marketing and Communications for the Black Student Union (BSU) for the past two years, is the on the Board of Directors for the Student Alumni Association and is a CADC Ambassador. When asked about how she manages all her involvement and a design major she says, “I am consistently working on my time management skills. You never achieve perfect time management. It requires constant attention. If you love what you are doing and what you are involved in, you make time for it all.”

As a CADC Ambassador Kaiyah gives tours to prospective students and her favorite piece of advice to share is about exploring options for student involvement. “Experiment freshmen year joining different organizations and networking throughout campus. There is a chance what you are involved with in freshmen year will be different than senior year. It’s okay to allow your interests to evolve as you grow and mature. Every experience or group helps mold who you become.”

Recognized as one of Graphic Design USA’s top programs, Auburn Graphic Design pushes students to become the best designers they can be. Kaiyah believes that the rigor of the program is why our alumni are successful upon graduation. “During one of my visits to campus, I saw the Senior Design Show. It inspired me because I knew if I graduated as an Auburn Graphic Designer, I would leave with the education that taught these students to do this incredible work. Now that I am a rising senior, I realize there are so many different career pathways in Graphic Design. The curriculum has taught me a little bit of everything. I look forward to using what I have learned in industry.” 

Roshani Trivedi — Industrial Design

Consistently ranked among the top ten Industrial Design programs in the country, Auburn’s Industrial Design program is known for its unique curriculum in product design and product innovation. Roshani Trivedi, a senior from Knoxville, Tennessee, chose to major in Industrial Design because it combined artistic creation with helping others. “I knew I wanted art as a part of my career, but a fine art degree would have lacked a technical, functional aspect which I was also seeking. I wanted to help people with my work.”  

When it came to choosing a school, Roshani looked all over. Finding a program that had the perfect combination of art and engineering was no small feat, but Auburn fit that search perfectly. Roshani has worked on a number of different projects in her studios. In just the past year she has designed packaging with Pratt Industries; worked with the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on master planning; designed and fabricated a chess set in collaboration with students in Ireland; designed, fabricated and installed a bike rack for Innovation Portal in Mobile, Alabama; and most recently designed guitar mounts and completed the exhibit design for the Fret Haus Senior Design Thesis Exhibit at the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center in Mobile, Alabama.  Roshani says the Fret Haus Guitar Exhibit Design was her favorite. “I really enjoyed starting with the big picture concept and then working through it until seeing it on opening night. It was very fulfilling to see the senior students show off their work to friends and family through the exhibit we created. Exhibit design is a subtle aspect of design as people are there to see the work in the exhibit not how you set it up, but it is such a crucial aspect of the exhibit.”

This summer Roshani served as a student assistant for the Industrial Design summer camp at the futures studio in Mobile, Alabama. When asked about her favorite part of sharing the Industrial Design program with the campers she said, “I love getting to know people. Getting to introduce the students to something that I love so much was an honor. I personally struggled as a high school student trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Being able to help these students start their journey to find their passion was amazing.”

Professor David Hill — Landscape Architecture

We are excited to launch our Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program in the fall 2021 semester. Landscape Architecture students will learn to imagine, design and build the 21st century’s landscapes during their time with us. Our program will teach students how to engage many of the most pressing issues the world faces today through intentional design of outdoor spaces. 

Program Chair David Hill says, “The discipline of landscape architecture continues to expand in its ability to make meaningful, positive impact in people’s lives and we look forward to continuing to explore how our students can engage the dynamic relationship between society and the land.”

With so many wonderful things going on in the CADC, we know the fall 2021 semester will be one of our best yet. We look forward to starting another year of creating, designing and building.