Mandy Garver

I came to IU at the beginning of the second year of my college career. I went to IUSB (IU South Bend) the first year but decided that a bigger school would have more to offer me. I had the intentions of becoming a pediatrician since I had been in the 9th grade. With that in mind I decided to pursue a degree in the biology and chemistry field. I had gotten good grades in high school in these two subjects and figured that was the direction I should go.

When I got to IU I had to take a placement test for math that determined what level they would start me at. I scored low on the placement test. So I would have to take non-credit math for the first semester. I still thought that I would go into the Bio area of study. I made it through that first semester and was getting ready for the second semester. When I started the second semester I soon realized I was not enjoying the classes and that they were too much for me to handle.

I went to my advisor in tears and we tried to figure out what to do. He first asked me what I liked to do...I was sort of confused at what this had to do with me changing my focus in college, but I told him that I enjoyed being around people and that I liked to do different things and stay active, not just sit in a desk all day. He gave me some majors and careers papers and said that they all were offered here at IU as majors and that I should look over them and see which ones looked interesting to me. I took them home and we (the advisor and I) set a date in two weeks to talk about what I thought about some of the majors.

So in two weeks I came back with about 5 of the sheets that I thought I might like to do. We went over the types of jobs I could expect to get with each of the majors and narrowed it to 3 choices. Over spring break of my sophomore year I took the sheets home and talked to my family about the different majors and asked them to help me decide. I chose human development and family studies as my major and I found that I could still graduate on time with the credits I had and what was needed would fit into the next two years.

I had to take summer classes between the last two years but it has all been worth it. Deciding on a major was hard but with the help of my advisor and family and friends I think that I made the right decision. I got a 3.85 last semester and since my change to this major I have yet to get lower than a 3.6 for a semester for a semester G.P.A. I love the major and the people in the major, and I cant wait until I can get into the work force and start making a difference in the lives of people. I hope to eventually work with children, and be a middle school counselor or, something along those lines.

But for now I am just looking for a job to get my feet wet and gain some experience. I owe it all to my advisor, he has helped me from everything to building a resume to figuring out what I want to do with my life. He always has a positive out look and I try to keep that in my life too. I may not get rich in my job but at least I will enjoy it and I will feel like I am helping a small part of the community.