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The app that connects student curiosity with tangible opportunities
How might we enhance the process of selecting a major for undecided students at the University of Illinois?
Research
Research
Who makes up undecided students?
Undeclared:
know what they want to major in but have not yet completed prerequisites for program
Undecided:
unsure of academic options and are looking to explore disciplines before committing to a major
What influences a student's ability to make career-related decisions that align with their interests?
Undeclared:
Self-Efficacy related to education
Self-Efficacy related to career decisions
Undecided:
Self-Efficacy related to education
Self-Efficacy related to career decisions
Information deficits
What influences a student's ability to make career-related decisions that align with their interests?
Undeclared:
Self-Efficacy related to education
Self-Efficacy related to career decisions
Undecided:
Self-Efficacy related to education
Self-Efficacy related to career decisions
***Information deficits
Why do undecided students experience information deficits?
Difficulties in education and career decision-making stem from having no early-on career development plan. The career exploration stage begins too late for some students, who upon entering college are forced to make uninformed decisions regarding college major and career path.
Intro
This project analyzed and evaluated the plight of the undecided UIUC student by exploring and identifying user needs through the design thinking process.
We conducted research to understand the perceptions, motivations, and experiences of undecided students to identify high-impact solutions to problems they are facing, in order to improve their student experience.
Our mission is to enhance how students feel when exploring and discovering major options. We aim to inspire clarity & confidence to those navigating UIUC's 127 UG degrees.
Key Insights
Research
Intro
Problem Statement
Students struggle to find a major they are interested in due to the pressures of choosing a major that will lead to "success".
Key Insights
-Students feel they need to choose a major that will lead to success
-Students know the process but still feel pressure and are unsure when deciding a major
-DGS is cold and closed off
-There is a disconnect between some advisors and students
Problem Statement
How Might We
How Might We...
How might we enhance the process of selecting a major for undecided students at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign?
Design Goal
Give undecided students a structured outlet for exploration to further explore their individual interests during the major selection process.
Design Goal
Persona
Kaitlyn B. is an undecided freshman at UIUC struggling to choose a major and career path. She wants a major that will ensure her financial stability out of college. She enjoys journaling, reading and listening to music in her free time. She cares very deeply about helping people and loves volunteering in her hometown community.
Persona
Core Values (Kaitlyn)
Passion: Feelings strongly about something
Exploration: Taking an interest in different possibilities
Open-mindedness: Being willing to consider options that may have seemed out of the question before
Individuality: Considering your personal interests, likes and dislikes
Courage: Doing something that may be outside of your comfort zone
Core Values
(Kaitlyn)
Core Values (Explore Team)
Core Values
(Explore Team)
Fun
We want students to rethink success as a means of happiness, rather than money, and the best way to do that is by creating a process that is fun and enjoyable.
Efficiency
We want students to know this is not a waste of their time and that our design will offer relevant knowledge
Support
We want to give students a way to contact professors, advisors, or other students to help them throughout the process so they aren't going through it feeling helpless and alone
Ethical Considerations
Ethical Considerations
By creating a passion-driven, exploratory application that is both fun and efficient, students are allowed to consider their individual interests. We aim to inspire confidence by providing students with the necessary information and support they require to choose the "right" path, that which leads to a happiness and financially stability.
Design Solution
Design Solution
Exploratory style app that can be used throughout the major selection process:
1. Login with NetID
2. Select areas of interest
3. Discover articles and videos related to your interests
4. Connect with other students
5. Find your interests tracked in pie chart
6. Explore colleges and courses at UIUC relating to your top interests
Takes the pressure off of choosing a major, focuses on exploring options. Connects undecided students with the proper resources for them to make informed decisions regarding their future.
Presentation Slides
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