T14
Advising Undecided Students
Jennifer Joslin
Abstract
In this session, we’ll consider what advisors need to work effectively with the variety of undecided students we
meet with (it’s been estimated that 75% of students beginning college are either unsure of their major or lack
information needed to make an informed choice of major.). We’ll look quickly at the research about undecided
students and decision-making, consider the pressures students feel, discuss practical tools to use in our work with
undecided students, and learn from some award-winning programs.
Case studies will make this session interactive and will give us opportunities to learn from one another.
Web Resources
Personality and Type Indicators:
1.) Keirsey.com
Personality Temperament Sorter http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/instruments2.aspx?partid=0
2.) iMapMyLife.com
Personality Inventory http://www.imapmylife.com/MyLife/Quiz.aspx
Value Inventories:
1.) University of Minnesota at Morris Career Center, Values Inventory
http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/career/career_planning/valquestion.php
2.) Career-intelligence.com
Soul Survival: Career Values http://www.career-intelligence.com/assessment/career_values.html
Interest Inventories:
MAPP—Motivational Assessment of Personality Potential
http://www.assessment.com/TakeMAPP/default.asp?dest=TakeMAPP
Skill Surveys:
US Department of Labor, Career One Stop
http://www.careeronestop.org/SKILLS/SkillCenterHome.asp
What can I do with a Major in?
Bank of American Career Services Center at the University of Delaware
Major Resource Kit http://www.udel.edu/CSC/mrk.html
Career and Occupational Guides:
1.) Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
2.) US Department of Labor, Career One Stop http://www.careeronestop.org/
NACADA Award Winning Exploratory Programs
 Indiana University, University Division http://ud.iub.edu/index.php
 Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Exploratory Program http://www.millersville.edu/~undprgm/
 Niagara University, Academic Exploration Program http://www.niagara.edu/aep/
 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Division of General Studies http://ucommxsrv1.unl.edu/dgs/
 The Ohio State Exploration Program http://exploration.osu.edu/
 Oregon State University, University Exploratory Studies Program http://oregonstate.edu/uesp/
 Penn State University, Div of Undergrad Studies http://dus.psu.edu/
 Washburn University, Center for Undergrad Studies & Programs http://www.washburn.edu/services/cusp/
 Waynesburg University, Academic Advising http://www.waynesburg.edu/index.php?q=node/360
 University of Wisconsin/River Falls, Pre-Major http://www.uwrf.edu/academic-success/
Bibliography
Ayala, C. & Striplen, A. (2002). A career introduction model for first generation college freshmen students. ERIC 469 996
Baxter Magolda, M.& King, P. (2008). Toward reflective conversations: An advising approach that promotes self-authorship.
Peer Review, 10 (Winter 2008, 1). Pp.8-11.
Brooks, K. (2009). You majored in what?: Mapping your path from chaos to career. New York: Viking.
Castillo Clark, E. & Kalionzes, J.(2008). Advising students of color and international students. In Gordon, V, Habley, W &
Grites, T. Academic advising: A comprehensive handbook, 2nd edition (pp.204-225). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley
and Sons, Inc.
Cuseo, J. (2005). Decided, undecided, and in transition: Implications for academic advisement, career counseling and student
retention. In R. S. Feldman (Ed.). Improving the first year of college: Research and practice. (pp. 27-48). Mahwah,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Forest, L. (2006). Advising gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. Academic Advising Today, 29(4), 7. Retrieved
May 31, 2011, from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/AAT/NW29_4.htm.
Gordon, V. N., & Steele, G. E. (2003). Undecided first-year students: A 25-year longitudinal study. Journal of the First-Year
Experience, 15(1), 19-38.
Gordon, V. (2007). Undecided students: A special population. In P. Jordan & L. Huff (Eds.), Advising special populations,
Monograph # 17 (pp. 187-202). Manhattan, Kansas: NACADA.
Gore, P. & Metz, A. (2008). Advising for career and life planning. In Gordon, V, Habley, W & Grites, T. Academic advising: A
comprehensive handbook, 2nd edition (pp.103-117). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Harding, B. (2008). Students with specific advising needs. In Gordon, V, Habley, W & Grites, T. Academic advising: A
comprehensive handbook, 2nd edition (pp.189-203). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Joslin, J. (2007). Working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students. In P. Jordan & L. Huff (Eds.), Advising
special populations, Monograph # 17 (pp. 87-95). Manhattan, Kansas: NACADA.
Steele, G. (2003). A research-based approach to working with undecided students: A case study illustration. NACADA
Journal, 1 & 2, 10-19. . (NACADA members can download free http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Journal/downloadarticles.htm)
Steele, G. & McDonald, M. (2008). Moving through college. In Gordon, V, Habley, W. & Grites, T. Academic advising: A
comprehensive handbook, 2nd edition (pp.157-177). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
VanWie, K. (2011) Academic advising and career development for undecided transfer students. In Poisel, M. & Joseph, S.,
eds. Transfer students in higher education: Building foundations for policies, programs, and services that foster
student success. FYE Monograph Series, Number 54. http://advisement.unm.edu/transferprogram/Advising%20and%20Career%20Devpt%20for%20Undecided.pdf
NACADA Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students -- promotes the advancement and improvement of academic
advising of undecided and exploratory college students through the greater dissemination of resources and research
pertinent to this educational endeavor. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Commissions/C13/index.htm