BYU, Ricks Announce New Programs to Better Assist, Counsel Students

Both Brigham Young University and Ricks College have announced changes in student career advisement that will greatly help individual selection of major study areas and post-college employment.

A central agency to coordinate career advisement has been created at BYU. For the first time, a student now can receive from the Career Education Council counseling from the time of preenrollment through his career selection prior to graduation.

Dr. David M. Sorenson, council chairman, director of the university’s Personal Development Center, and assistant dean of student life, explains that regardless of the point at which a student needs or seeks help regarding his major study area or career plans, the council will go into operation in his behalf. For example, he says, the high school graduate newly approved for admission to BYU receives considerable instruction; BYU students undecided as to their major may register in the Department of University Studies which was created last year; and those who have chosen majors receive further assistance in advisement centers set up in each college.

Of the new program, BYU President Dallin H. Oaks says: “We can’t make a choice for the student, but we can give him greater understanding of himself and information on the present and future job market, as well as understanding of major study areas and their requirements and the jobs they lead to, so that he can make a satisfactory decision.”

At Ricks College, Dr. Henry L. Isaksen, coordinator of academic planning and program development, now is also in charge of career development activities on campus, including the placement office, student employment, and cooperative education plans. The main purpose of the new program, says Dr. Isaksen, “is to insure that all students who attend Ricks will have experiences that promote the early identification of satisfying career paths and will be able to obtain sufficient preparation for the world of work.”