This Senior Academic Advisor’s biggest advice to new LAS students? Explore.
Alexa Maseth | Senior Academic Advisor
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My advice to new students at UIC, and especially in LAS, is to explore. Take advantage of this time in your life to explore everything that’s available to you on campus, in our city. The classmates that you’ll meet, the teachers that you’ll learn from, the courses that you take.
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Name: Alexa Maseth
Department: Academic Advising
Why LAS and UIC?
I love UIC because of its location and the diversity of its student body. Being just west of the heart of Chicago, our campus is expansive and green, yet urban. Chicago is our classroom and easily accessible for any exploration you can imagine – from food, exercise on the lakefront, and sports to culture and art – it is all at our fingertips. LAS is the largest college and houses the most diverse majors on campus and most of our general education courses. We have the unique opportunity to learn from each other and share our world experiences inside and outside the classroom. Even with our size, our college’s structure and student-centered focus make us feel welcoming and accessible to all students!
What inspired you to be an advisor?
My academic advisor in college! I went to college undecided about my major and felt lost when I compared myself to my friends with very specific career goals. My advisor was warm and welcoming, allowed me to express my concerns about my indecision without ever feeling judged, and pointed me toward majors, resources, and experiences to help me find my way. Her warm spirit, desire to help and ability to calm inspired my pursuit of a graduate degree in higher education and goal of becoming an academic advisor.
How do you prepare students for their future careers?
As an advisor, I help students choose classes deliberately to explore themselves and their future careers. I help students connect their interests and values to courses that will lead to fulfilling experiences and learn something new that they can take with them beyond college. I encourage experiential learning opportunities, connect them to Career Development and pre-professional advisors, and help students mold their degree to suit their needs beyond UIC.
What do you hope your students will get out of an LAS degree?
I hope students will take the time to explore all that UIC and LAS have to offer. College is a unique life experience that is meant to help you explore yourself and all of the options available in the future. Our general education requirements and majors leave room in the curriculum to tailor the learning beyond one area of study: try an internship, add a minor, complete a second major, broaden your horizons, and expand your skills – you never know where it may lead!
If you could give yourself one piece of advice during your freshman year, what would it be?
Don’t compare yourself to others! Every student has their own path – don’t measure yourself by others’ plans. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore, try new things, try new classes, and get to know new people and resources available to you in college. College is a safe space to help you become who you want to be, and it won’t happen in just the first year!
Advice for new students?
Use your advising appointments – come with questions, be honest about your progress, and ask for help when needed! Your advisors are people, too, and we want to see you succeed!