Shop (or study) 'til you drop, or find another major on new Web site developed by two SLIS students

Clueless about a career? IUB’s University Division is ‘matchmaking’ on line.

By Diane Squire

Brian Smith and Dawn Bourbina

Undergraduates feeling confused about choosing a major or career now have additional help thanks to the efforts of two SLIS (School of Library and Information Science) students. “The Majors and Careers Series” Web site was developed by MIS (master of information science) students Brian Smith and Dawn Bourbina.

The innovative project was supervised by Tom Kenyon, coordinator for Exploratory Student Services, with assistance from Emily Hesse, director of data and technology services at the University Division in Bloomington. The project was funded through an Eli Lilly Retention Grant. Since going on line in early September. The site has had more than 6,000 visitors.

“An initial Web site was put up in a couple of weeks, basically converting a paper-based information resource to the Web without adding too much more functionality or design,” said Bourbina.

“Anyone can put up a Web page,” Smith said, “ but does it meet the needs of all the various stakeholders?”

After the two responded to an ad placed in the Indiana Daily Student, both accepted the challenge to test their Web creation abilities gained at SLIS.

They started off by examining the Web site closely, engaging in an informal heuristic evaluation. One preliminary objective was to create an entire process for gathering information from the respective departments on line. Smith created a form and database to hold all the correspondence with departments concerning the new process. They met with various advisers in informational interviews to collect as much “soft” data as possible. After compiling ideas for Web site improvements, they developed prototype interfaces.

“This was my strong suit,” Bourbina said,“since I had some previous graphics experience and enjoyed coding the site. We wanted a design that would appeal to a young college audience and to advisers. We also wanted to add functionality and some entertainment value, as well as showcase the resource allowing for easy navigation.” The primary objective for the Web site was to help students explore majors while expanding their minds to consider majors they maybe had not considered before.

Kenyon initially gave both students a lot of responsibility and leeway in developing Web ideas. “I gave them broad guidelines and then let them figure it out.” He was determined to have a site designed for students by students. “An added bonus was that both Dawn and Brian had been through majors changes themselves, so they had personal experience to draw from.”

“The project helped me develop the skills I’ll be able to take to any employer,” said Smith. “I learned it was critical to document each stage of the work process in paper and digital format. Communications with multiple faculty and staff, either in person, by E-mail or over the telephone, helped me practice my public speaking abilities. Presenting ideas clearly was essential. Although I increased my Web development skills by fine tuning HTML codes and constructing the Microsoft Access database design, we discovered how unknown factors can alter things. No matter how much you plan, there will always be something that you will have forgotten to do. Project development is an iterative process where one must be able to adapt.”

Kenyon recalled how the whole project got started on paper in 1994. There was an identified need to create a majors advisory tool for IU academic advisers across campus. Starting with a survey questionnaire, banging on doors and requesting written feedback, he eventually developed a binder collection over a two-year research period that explained all possible IU majors for students still exploring their options. Those were early Internet days, and Kenyon remembers when one contact from the IUB Department of Computer Science was unwilling to fill out his paper-based survey form. Instead, the department retyped all questions and answers and sent them back via E-mail.

“They just couldn’t handle not sending a response electronically,” he said. “It stuck in my mind that someday there would be a more modern way of presenting our content.”

Fortunately, that day finally arrived with funding help from Lilly. “We stayed on schedule with the Web development process,” Kenyon said. “Our goal was to have the new site up by the first day of the fall semester, and we met our target objective.”

Now students undecided or considering changing majors can explore the “Majors & Careers” Web site in three ways: 1) by interests, 2) alphabetically, or 3) by degree-granting school. For example, an interest in shopping can lead one to considering related majors such as apparel merchandising, economics, entrepreneurship, interior design, marketing, psychology, sociology, tourism management or an individualized major program. The alphabetical listing for “apparel merchandising” will link to useful descriptions of the major, the skills and knowledge developed in the field of study, potential career growth, job outlooks, salary information, even the kind of high school preparation necessary.

Viewing the College of Arts and Sciences link gives other career options according to degree attainment.

Still undecided? Then check out “College Majors of Famous People.” Did you realize actor Kevin Costner majored in business marketing and finance? In “IU’s Own X-Files,” see what current and former IU students have to say about how and why they chose their majors.

http://www.indiana.edu/~udiv/majors/