Major and Minor Fair Returns, Offers Students Possibilities
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, only about 20 percent of college students who spend more than half their college careers as undeclared students will graduate.
Buffalo State actively provides support to students who have not yet declared a major through advising services and events like the second annual Major and Minor Fair, which took place Thursday, October 10, in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. The event was launched in 2023 by the School of Arts and Sciences, the Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE), and Academic Advising and aims to empower students to make well-informed decisions about their academic paths earlier in their college journeys.
Nearly 200 students at Buffalo State University have not yet declared a major, including about 110 first-year students enrolled this fall. More than 300 students attended the fair to learn about Buffalo State’s vast curricular offerings by speaking with faculty members and enrolled students representing more than 76 major, 67 minor, and 14 certificate programs.
“By facilitating these connections, the event not only supports students’ academic growth but also aligns with the university’s retention efforts,” said Atta Ceesay, School of Arts and Sciences associate dean of academic standards and student success. “This proactive approach underscores our commitment to providing ongoing opportunities for student success, ensuring that, once enrolled, our students have the resources and guidance needed to thrive throughout their academic careers.”
The Major and Minor Fair also assisted students looking for second majors, minors, certificates, and microcredentials and enabled students to connect with staff members from Academic Commons, CAPE, and Student Accessibility Services. The fair showcased various academic disciplines while encouraging students to explore potential major-minor combinations that can broaden their skill sets and enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
“If you get not only a major, but a minor or two to complement it, you’ll be more marketable,” Ceesay said. “We want to expose students to the possibilities and options in a competitive market.”
Fair attendees were encouraged to continue learning about programs of interest, schedule appointments with Academic Advising or their departmental advisors, and contact CAPE to learn more about how part-time jobs, internships, and experiential learning opportunities can help them reach their career goals.
The Major and Minor Fair will be held again next fall.
Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.
