The Sophomore Year Experience at TCNJ

By Tina Tormey, Assistant Director of the Sophomore Year Experience

Some people come to campus totally set on their major and even have a career plan plotted out. Others find themselves testing out new majors and questioning whether the path they’ve picked is “the right one.”

In reality, there is no “right” answer when it comes to major and career path. You don’t even need to pick a major that directly connects to your intended career path.  

I was one of those students who knew what she wanted to do career-wise by the time she entered high school. I became a journalism major and minored in sociology and health. By the time college orientation rolled around, I could even tell you when I would make my move to become editor of the student newspaper, which magazines I intended to try to work for and how awesome life at a major women’s health magazine in Manhattan would be for both my career and my social life.

But things change.

I constantly found myself discovering new interests and talents throughout college and beyond. I loved my work as editor of the arts & entertainment section for our award-winning student newspaper, but I equally adored what I did as a resident assistant (my school’s version of a CA).

I worked in journalism for a few years (interned at Men’s Health magazine, wrote for an alternative newsweekly in Connecticut and freelanced for alternative newsweeklies across the country), but I ended up returning to my work in Student Affairs.

The following are the lessons I learned on a path that has been completely unexpected at times, but also totally rewarding as well:

Even if you know what you want to major in and have a career path plotted out, try classes in other subject areas. What you’ll learn in those classes will help you identify new talents and interests that could result in a more competitive edge later on, a unique networking opportunity or the ability to broaden your education.

Don’t stick with a major if you don’t really like the subject matter. If you don’t like it now, are you really going to enjoy it once it becomes your career? Sure, we all have classes that bore us in subject areas that we are otherwise totally passionate about, but if you’re dreading the class you are required to take after the class you’re currently dreading and enrolled it, that’s a sure sign it isn’t going to get much better. Studies have show that students who select majors based on their personal interests get better grades, learn more, are more engaged and are more satisfied and successful in their careers (Choosing a College Major Based on Your PErsonality: What does the research say? by Lawrence K Jones, PhD).

Your major is not your career. Despite my journalism background, I was hired in an entry level student affairs job because I could connect my experiences to the job requirements. My health minor helped me understand how to apply wellness interventions to college-aged students. My sociology minor gave me an understanding of identity development. My previous experience as a CA gave me an understanding for the new position and the work culture. My investigative reporting skills gave me the administrative skills and critical thinking skills required to effectively perform in many different aspects of my new position. Yes, I required training and yes, I later went back for additional education but my bachelor’s level work and my extra-curricular and work experience set me up to do well in a starter position.

Access campus resources. Have you looked at the complete list of majors offered at TCNJ (available on the Records & Registration website)? Have you gone to the Career Center’s open hours or requested an appointment with Career Center staff to find out what resources they can offer? Why not start with reading the Career Center’s “What To Do With My Major?” to see if your intended career path is listed there or to learn about new career paths that you never before considered? If you’re too intimidated to walk over there or you don’t even know what to ask for, try reading their Career Guidance Handbook first.

That Career Guidance Handbook has great advice, specifically geared towards sophomores, including:

• a career exploration exercise
• resume writing tips & examples
• and recommendations on how to learn more about different career paths.

In some ways, you may feel like it’s too late to change majors. Others may think it’s too early to plan their career. Neither is true. Sophomore year is for exploring new opportunities, refining your career plan (at least for the short-term!) and gaining experience that will help you find great internships and get that first job.

Tina Tormey is in her second career and adores it. She likes to be a nerd and continue her professional development by learning about supervision techniques and developing effective, learning-centered work environments. She'll accept any book recommendations her students might have for her. You can e-mail her at tormey@tcnj.edu or stop by her office in Allen 110.

Housing lottery is coming quickly. By now you have had the opportunity to fill out your application for housing and pay your $100 deposit. The next step is to see what time slot you get–this is available after 4:00pm on Tuesday February 22^nd. While you wait for that you have time to ponder what building you want to choose to live in next year.

The Upper Class Experience (UCE) has four areas that you could potentially live in. Each area is unique in what they have to offer residents.

Townhouse East, West, and South:

Each townhouse houses 10 students (in single bedrooms). The townhouses are air-conditioned and have a main living room, a bathroom, shower, full refrigerator, microwave, and a common area sink on all three floors.

In each complex there are also laundry facilities, hall offices, and main lounges (that have a full kitchen) available for the residents.

In the Townhouses there are House Assistants (HAs) and Community Coordinators (CCs). HAs are around to answer questions, program for the residents in their assigned Townhouses, ensure policies are being upheld, and also staff the hall office. The HA lives in one of the two houses they are assigned to and are expected to tour their assigned houses regularly so that they can get to know their residents.  

The CCs supervise 3-6 HAs each and help to extend the community feeling that the HAs develop in their townhouses.  CCs live in the community that they oversee, they work with the HAs to program for the whole community, help residents resolve conflicts, and refer residents to campus resources.

Phelps and Hausdoerffer Halls

Phelps and Hausdoerffer Halls are the apartment complexes on campus. Each building has 40 air conditioned 5-bedroom apartments (3 single rooms and 1 double room). The apartments have a partial kitchen, living room, bathroom (with an extra vanity sink).

Each building has a large community lounge and a study lounge in the laundry room; both are equipped with cable television. Additionally Phelps and Hausdoerffer have a semi-private courtyard and they share a grassy park.

In Phelps and Hausdoerffer there are CAs (Community Assistants). CAs are around to answer questions, program for their residents, monitor facilities, and uphold policies. There will be one CA per floor in Phelps and Hausdoerffer who will work to build a community on their floor as well as in the building.

College Houses

The College houses are actually physically located off campus but are considered to be on campus for residential students. There are 12 houses in total, for a breakdown of the house descriptions (location and number of rooms) go to: https://www.tcnj.edu/~reslife/assignments/documents/CollegeHousesInformation.pdf

There are a number of details about the College Houses that can be found at http://www.tcnj.edu/~reslife/assignments/housing-uc.html.

Eickhoff Hall

There will a small number of spaces in Eickhoff hall next year for juniors and seniors. Eickhoff has mostly double air conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. Eickhoff also contains the Atrium cafeteria and several student services offices (Counseling, Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives (OAVI), Alcohol and Drug Education Program, Office of Differing Abilities, and Residential Education and Housing.

In Eickhoff, CAs are around to answer questions, program for their residents, monitor facilities, and uphold policies. There are two CAs per floor in Eickhoff. Each works to build community on their floor and in the building.

That’s the end of the description of the UCE area. There are many benefits to living on campus and the UCE area offers programs and resources to assist you in getting yourself ready for internships or graduation and job searching.

If you have more questions about the Upper Class Experience, check out http://www.tcnj.edu/~reslife/upperclass/index.php, there you will find some programs that are offered in the UCE area, descriptions of the housing available, as well as things to remember when living off campus.

Please add to your calendar:

Move Up Day is Sunday Feb 27^th (this Sunday) from 1-4 in the Townhouse West Lounge. There will be staff members available to answer questions and an opportunity to tour the UCE areas.

By Kyle R. Williams, Residence Director

Becoming a member of a Greek lettered organization on campus is a great lifetime experience. Joining these organizations provides you with various types of life skills; such as time management, learning about balance, teamwork, accountability, budgets and fundraising, goal-setting, and planning. All of these skills are acquired, learned or fine-tuned through being an active member of a Greek-lettered organization. However, with so many Greek-lettered organizations present, the question you may be asking yourself is “How do I make a choice”? While it is easy to just go with the popular decision, or the decision your friend is going with; there are a few suggestions this Residence Director, who is also in a fraternity, would like to share with you.

 Before I begin giving you all this advice, you might be sitting at your computer screen and thinking the following: “Who in the world is this person?” or “What makes him the master at this?” In an attempt to answer both of those questions, if those weren’t one of them I apologize; please permit me the ability to introduce myself. My name is Kyle Williams, and I serve as one of the Residence Directors for the Sophomore Year Experience.  Throughout my tenure as a student, I joined not one, not two…but three Greek lettered organizations.  Now you may be a bit confused on how I am affiliated with so many. My first organization was a local organization, which means that it is only at my undergraduate institution; my second a national organization, and my third an honorary.  Even though I have multiple affiliations, I am in no way the “Greek guru”, but I give you that piece of history so that you know a little about the journey of becoming Greek, and something’s to pay attention to when on the journey.

Throughout this article, I will do my best to give you suggestions on what you should do while on your journey, as well as try to give you various examples to demonstrate how to apply the suggestion. I will also throughout use what my staff, and fraternity brothers call “Kyle-isms”.  These expressions (bolded) are utilized to try and get you to understand the point being made.   

First, and probably the most important piece of information is to do your research. Joining a Greek lettered organization is like getting married, it’s a “until death do you part” union.  What does this mean? Think about when you are dating someone. You have to take time to cultivate the relationship and meet their friends and family before you propose. You wouldn’t have your first date, and then get married the next day, even if you do believe in “love at first sight”. The same is true with a Greek lettered organization. Even if you know you want to join an organization at first glance, I strongly urge you to take the time to get to know the current members, and sometimes alums, of the organization you are looking to pledge. You want to make sure that you are making the right decision for you. This is very important. Understanding that there are legacies of people joining chapters or organizations, or all of your friends may join, you must make your own decision.  Once you are initiated into an organization, you will be knowledgeable about all of their secrets and history, things that others will not understand, and these secrets are only shared with full fledge members, which means the expectation is that you are to take them to your grave. Therefore, it is important to research the organization!

The second piece of advice I would give you is to ask yourself “what can I gain and give to this organization?”  Joining a Greek lettered organization is not only about gaining a need that you have, like brotherhood/sisterhood, but also the opportunity to give to the leadership and chapter you are joining. Sure, organizations you are looking at joining are going to provide you with leadership opportunities, and awesome networking opportunities; as well as they are gaining a new member and another number for their assessment packets, however, what are you going to give back to the organization.  One of the most important things you can give is your time. Your time is used not only during your process but afterwards, as well as your skills and abilities. Greeks are very involved with community service hours, campus events, as well as all of the mandatory meetings and commitments. All of these take time and a commitment from the members of the organization. For example, think about homecoming activities. These activities take a lot of time and commitment from members of the organizations, on top of all of the other organization obligations. This also occurs on top of their current schedule with classes, other extra-curricular activities, and sometimes being employed. Lip-Sync and Dance is another excellent example. All of these performances not only require you to give your time, but also your energy, commitment, skills and talents.

Finally, remember that the process of selecting an organization is a dual process. Not only are you researching and evaluating if you want to join a chapter of an organization, however the current chapter members are also seeing if your values and commitment are a match for them. This process can sometimes work out in your favor, however, in certain cases they may not. While this can be a frustrating time, remember that this is in no way a negative reflection on your self-worth or value. One of the most valuable lessons in life is learning about how to deal with rejection, and being rejected from something is not always negative, even though it may initially feel that way. Take a breath; re-assess your values and reasons for joining the particular organization. One of the first questions you may want to ask is if this was the right organization for you.  Remember, you have to make the right decision for yourself. Did you truly only chose this organization because your friends were looking at it as well? If you have a true pleasure to join this particular organization, don’t lose sight of your end goal. If there is a member that you feel comfortable with, try and discuss it with them, as well as continuing to show your interest.

Joining a Greek-lettered organization has really opened my eyes and truly assisted in shaping me as an individual, as well as a professional. There are a lot of skills that can be learned and obtained from being a member of these organizations. However, remember that these organizations require a lot out of their active members, and that this is a lifetime commitment. Make sure that you take time to research the organizations you are looking at joining, as well as ensuring that you have time to be a member of these organizations. The real work begins not during your journey of becoming a member, but after!

 Good Luck, and Happy Pledge Season! 

Kyle Williams currently serves as one of the Residence Directors for the Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) at The College of New Jersey. Kyle was first introduced to local fraternity and sorority life during his freshmen year at Otterbein University (formerly Otterbein College). Throughout his time at Otterbein, Kyle also found an affinity toward the National Pan-Hellenic fraternity and sororities, and was granted the opportunity for membership during his tenure at Old Dominion University. When asked Kyle about how he feels about being Greek, he said “It has been one of the moments in my life, I’ll cherish forever! As an only child, it’s nice to know that I have an extended family that will always be there for me!”

By Katharine Pelican, Junior 

My name is Katharine Pelican and I am a currently a Junior Mathematics major here at The College of New Jersey. I chose to study abroad the summer after my sophomore year in Rome, Italy through the International Studies Abroad (ISA) Program. Having never studied abroad before, I chose Italy for many reasons. My grandpa, who died three years ago but whom I was extremely close to, was born in a small Tuscan town called Bientina.  Although I never studied the Italian language until my senior year of high school, I always felt very close to my Italian heritage because of my relationship with my grandpa. I decided to continue with Italian in college as a way of continuing my connection with my grandpa’s heritage. Also, I simply fell in love with the language.  I hoped that by studying abroad in Italy, I would become fluent in Italian and be able to communicate with my Italian relatives with greater ease.

 I was truly enamored with everything about Rome, Italy- from the food, to the people, to the beauty in each and every street corner. As a self-professed homebody, travelling across the Atlantic Ocean to live and study in a foreign country was a huge leap for me. Choosing to study abroad and step outside of my comfort zone is probably one of the best decisions that I have made, or will make, in college. I learned so much about myself throughout the experience, while simultaneously having the time of my life. I was able to learn about historic masterpieces and monuments, such as the Colosseum and the Vatican, on site during the day, and at night I was able to explore Roman nightlife with my all of my new friends. I was also fortunate enough to go on two included excursions – to Florence and Sorrento, where I was able to experience a taste of what other parts of Italy had to offer – literally and figuratively!

 I look back on my study abroad experience as one of the most exhilarating and enlightening endeavors that I have ever undertaken and ever since returning home, I have talked about my experience with enthusiasm to all of my friends and family. The five weeks that I spent in Rome this summer gave me such insight into life outside of my bubble in the United States and definitely made me a more well-rounded and worldly person. Since returning home, I have become a TCNJ Global Ambassador, in order to be able to share my enthusiasm for the amazing opportunity that is studying abroad with my peers in hopes that they too will decide to share in this once in a lifetime experience.

 I feel that at TCNJ, many people don’t choose to study abroad because they don’t know enough about it or don’t know where to turn for more information. I love that I have the unique opportunity to make information about the process and the experience more readily available, so that more students make the decision to participate and make lasting memories that will endure long after college ends.

Katherine is a Junior Mathematics major, looking back on her stay in Italy one of her favorite memories is running along the Famous Tiber River.