Simpson is offering a new exploratory studies course to undecided sophomores to assist students trying to determine their major.

Spencer Waugh, Director of Exploratory Studies and Academic Recruitment, is the pioneer of the new course at Simpson, SC-160, Exploratory Studies. The class started this fall with four students enrolled. 

“It’s going to be small this first year,” Waugh said. “Next year, we’re hoping to have pretty regularly between 10 and 20 students each year.”

Created to help undecided sophomores, the class allows students to explore multiple areas of study through job shadows, guest speakers and introspection. The course description states, “Students explore both career and major options through personal research, assignments, interest inventories, and in-class presentations.” 

“It’s a systematic process that gives students time to reflect on self and then gives them time to do the research that isn’t needed and just explore,” Waugh said.

The course concentrates on sophomores because the major declaration deadline is at the end of sophomore year. Waugh believes it is normal to come to college without having a major selected and encourages students to come into college with an open mind for different opportunities. 

“If you’re not loving your classes, that doesn’t mean you’re not a college student,” he said. “It just means you’re not a history major, or a chemistry major or whatever it is.”

Waugh founded the class after transitioning out of his previous role as the Director of Speech and Debate last fall. He assumed the job of academic recruitment as a part-time position but knew he wanted to do more for the Simpson community.

“​​We were underserving students that were coming in undecided,” he said. “We didn’t have a formalized way of recruiting them.” 

He worked with Career Services to create the curriculum by examining larger colleges’ exploratory courses to build an environment for students to explore their career options with the support of their peers.  

“They’re learning from each other, and I’m learning from them,” Waugh said, “All four students have a really great attitude. And I kind of warn them [that] this is going to be about you really thinking about you first, and so far, we’re off to a good start.”

Waugh is excited about the new semester and hopes he can help more students figure out what they want to study as the course continues. He wants to emphasize to all students that though the course is only for sophomores, he is willing to help any student at Simpson.

“My office door is always open to you,” he said. “Even if they might be decided now and then realize that they don’t want to major in X, Y or Z, they can come here and we can have those conversations.”