Commonly Asked Advising Questions
What do I need to bring to advising?
You need a current copy of your AR (Advising Report), which you can print off of WINS. Be sure your AR is less than a week old at the time of your advising.
Don't know what an AR looks like? Check out the sample ARs from a variety of communication emphases.
Why do I have to tell the advisors what I think I'm taking? Shouldn't they tell me?
Communication majors offer a high degree of personalization as compared to other areas of study. Just look at the checklist for your communication major or minor. Most offer many choices. By selecting the courses yourself, you show your advisor what you want to do with your degree program. Based on prerequisites and co-requisites, your advisor may need to steer you toward other courses than what you have selected. But if you stay mindful of requirements, both for your major or minor as well as for individual courses, the choice is really up to you!
Why isn't every course offered every semester?
In order to be able to meet the needs of the department's varied majors, minors, and emphases, some classes are only offered once a year. High demand courses are offered every semester, and often in multiple sections.
What happens if I forget to go to Group or Marathon Advising?
Short answer — nothing good. If you don't go to the appropriate advising session, you need to go to the department office and fill out an advising waiver form. Your hold will then be released on the last day of the second week of registration. Although some classes may still be available, many high-demand classes will be filled and you will miss out on your opportunity to request seats for them. It is important to be sure to attend your advising session. Remember: All your daytime communication classes will be cancelled during the two days of marathon advising. (Several group advising sessions for those with less than 75 credits , including the current semester, will be held after the marathon advising days. Check the department website for exact dates.)
Why does the department use advising holds?
Advising is important because it helps assure that everyone signs up for the classes they need. Without advising, it's easy to misinterpret course and degree requirements and sign up for the wrong class. Given that seat space in some classes is at a premium, it's important to be sure that everyone gets the classes they need quickly. Sending everyone through the advising process is an effective way to assure that this happens.
Why is advising so confusing?
It sure isn't intended to be. But with nine majors, six minors, and multiple sections of over 75 courses offered during the Fall 2008 semester, we have lots of options and information to keep track of. Choice means options – and options mean needing to keep careful track of requirements and where you are in your course of study. Best advice: If you don't know, ask! A well-asked question could literally shave a semester off your studies.
Can I mix any communication major with any communication minor?
Although there are many combinations you can choose from within the Communication Department, there are a few that don't work. Click on any major below to see a list of compatible minors:
Print Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Advertising
Electronic Media
Organizational Communication
Public Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Public Relations
Multimedia
Who do I talk to if I want information about my career plans?
There really are lots of options for you to choose from. If you're still not sure "what you want to be when you grow up," you may want to consider checking in with Career Services. These folks have the tools and the know-how to help measure your interests, aptitudes, and abilities. They even sponsor workshops to help people explore different career options.
If you already have a pretty good idea of where you're headed, why not talk to one of the professors you have for a subject in your field? Although instructors and professors in the Communication Department no longer have individual advisees for course selection each semester, most are more than happy to take time to talk with you about their passion: the subject that they are teaching and how it could best fit into your future career plans.
Don't forget that people in the industry can also be a great source. If contacted professionally and politely, many professionals will be happy to give you information about what they do, the training they had to get there — and suggestions they may have on how you, too, can be successful in their field. (This technique is called an informational interview. For more information on this kind of career research, check out: http://danenet.wicip.org/jets/jet-9407-p.html and http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing-dos-donts.html
Why do I see so many different advisors at Marathon Advising?
The department has two goals with advising: (1) to provide helpful, accurate information to students regarding the classes they should take; and (2) to provide that information in a streamlined, efficient manner. When you come to Marathon Advising, you will most likely go to four different stations:
Screeners in the hallway. These folks do more than just crowd control. They will also look at your AR and be sure that you are in the right place. Remember, marathon advising is for students with 75 or more credits (including courses you are enrolled in right now), or any combination of major and minor (or double major) within the Communication Department, regardless of how many credits you have.
"Triage table." These advisors understand the in's and out's of our university's general education requirements. You can't walk across the stage without fulfilling them to the letter, so it's in your best interests to have these faculty members check out your progress on this each semester.
Major advisors. By talking with these people, you get the most accurate information possible about your major area of study. They will understand the requirements for your degree and who you should talk to if you need additional help or guidance.
Final stop. These friendly faces (Dr. Bill Weiss and Jeanine Fassl) will give everything a last look over and take care of any AR personalizations you may need.
What does "personalizing" my AR mean? Is it a good thing?
"Personalizing" your AR is necessary if you have both a major and a minor or a double major in the department, for example. The reason: Look at your check sheets for both your major and your minor. You will notice that the same class may be required for both the major and the minor. This is where the trouble comes in. You cannot use the same class to meet more than one requirement. This is how personalization can help. It will allow you to use different classes to meet the requirements.
Prerequisite: a course that is required prior to taking another course.
Co-requisite: a course that is required WHILE taking another course. (You will take both courses simultaneously).
Compatible Minors for Print Journalism:
Advertising
Speech
Public Relations
Multimedia: Speech
Compatible Minors for Broadcast Journalism:
Advertising
Speech
Public Relations
Multimedia: Speech
Compatible Minors for Advertising:
Speech
Public Relations
Multimedia: Speech
Compatible Minors for Electronic Media:
Journalism
Advertising
Multimedia: Journalism
Compatible Minors for Organizational Communication:
Journalism
Advertising
Multimedia: Journalism
Compatible Minors for Public Communication:
Journalism
Advertising
Multimedia: Journalism
Compatible Minors for Interpersonal Communication:
Journalism
Advertising
Multimedia: Journalism
Compatible Minors for Public Relations:
Journalism
Advertising
Journalism
Compatible Minors for Multimedia:
Journalism
Advertising
Speech
Public Relations