When most students hear the word “advisor,” they might think of academic guidance, like building a class schedule or discussing a major. But at the UO School of Journalism and Communication’s (SOJC) Undergraduate Student Success Center (USSC), academic advising is interlinked with career advising, as both are vital for preparing students for success in their education — and beyond.
The USSC, located on the first floor of Allen Hall in Suite 134, operates on a hybrid mission to blend career and academic advising, helping prospective and current students see the connection between short-term decisions like choosing classes, and long-term academic and career goals like selecting a major and applying for post-grad jobs. The center also uses a holistic model: Instead of assigning one advisor to each student, anyone in the office can meet with you, so you can get multiple perspectives.
SOJC
Student
Success
Center
Meet the Team
Senior Director for Student Success
Associate Director for Student Success
Assistant Director for Student Success
Career and Academic Advisor
Career and Academic Advisor
Career and Academic Advisor
Advising Office Manager
Here’s how the SOJC advising team answer some common questions students have:
I’ve never met with an advisor before. Who should I talk to first?
All of our advisors have experience in both academic and career advising and can give you advice. To reach out to advisors individually, you can find their profiles and contact information on the USSC website. They also have a designated SOJC student that runs the front desk in Allen 134. Start the conversation by asking a peer!
Drop-ins vs. appointments — how do I choose?
It’s best to start a conversation during a drop-in before booking an appointment. Look on the USSC website to learn more about drop-in conversations, which can be in-person or virtual. They are usually shorter than full appointments, lasting about 10-15 minutes.
Drop-in conversations are great for:
- Registration advising
- Understanding requirements/degree guide
- Senior (one-year) grad plans
- Checking out majors/minors
- Exploring study abroad, experiential learning, student organizations, etc.
- Discussing internship credits
- And any other question you can think of!
You can make an appointment after your drop-in if you need to dive deeper. Please save appointments for these scenarios:
- Two- or three-year graduation plans (seniors, if you need a one-year grad plan, come see us during drop-in hours!)
- Resume and cover letter strategies and techniques
- Career advising and exploration for jobs and internships
- Multi-topic conversations
For everything else, use our drop-in hours!
Can I email a question to an academic advisor?
For quick questions, email sojcadvising@uoregon.edu.
What’s the difference between a faculty advisor and a career and academic advisor?
While your faculty advisor can offer you insights into prospective career fields and broader career development, an academic or career advisor can provide more detailed advice about your degree requirements and major. You should try to meet with both your faculty advisor and an academic and career advisor at least once an academic term.
I'm not in the SOJC yet, but I’m interested in switching my major. Can I still make an appointment?
If you are interested in joining the SOJC, our advisors would love to chat with you about what our majors look like. Please come to a drop-in session or email sojcadvising@uoregon.edu rather than making an appointment.
I’m a prospective student and would like to take a tour of Allen Hall. Can the Undergraduate Student Success Center arrange that?
Yes! Advisors are happy to talk to prospective students about the opportunity and classes offered at the SOJC. To set up a meeting, fill out the Undergraduate Program Interest Form. To schedule a tour, use the Visit the SOJC page.
I’m interested in the SOJC Honors program. How do I find out if that program is right for me?
To apply for the SOJC Honors program, you must typically be entering your junior year at the SOJC and have a GPA over a 3.5. Sophomores are considered on a case-by-case basis. The SOJC Honors program provides smaller classes within your cohort and offers students the opportunity to defend a thesis project. Talk to an advisor to find out if this would be a good fit for you.
Can the Undergraduate Student Success Center help me with financial aid?
The USSC does not focus on scholarships or financial aid, but it can direct you to the people you need to talk to via email.
Can I take online courses to fulfill my requirements?
Yes, you can take online courses for credit, but not all departments and classes are offered online. Talk to your academic advisor before registering for an online class to see if it would be a good fit for you and to learn the difference between synchronous and asynchronous classes.
How do I get a college internship?
When looking for an internship, you can ask an advisor questions about specific applications or for general advice on job searching. You can also check out the USSC Career Resources page for more strategies for finding an internship.
I got an internship! Can I get credit for it?
To receive credit for an internship, you must meet the prerequisites, have a faculty member supervise your credits and fill out the Internship Tracking Form. Talk to an advisor before filling out the form to discuss if you need the credit and what type of credit you will receive, as internships can count for different requirements.
I want to find a student organization to join. Can an advisor help me?
Advisors are happy to help you get involved in student organizations! They can discuss which student organization will be the best fit for you and connect you to students involved in the organization. You can also get connected with student clubs by filling out the Center for Student Involvement’s interest form.
What is “mandatory attendance?”
A class with mandatory attendance means that it is required that you attend class. The attendance policy for courses is outlined by the instructor in each class’ syllabus.
I received an incomplete (“I”) grade. What exactly does that mean?
An incomplete grade is an agreement worked out between a student and faculty member that they will finish assignments after the course ends, if they have extenuating circumstances. If you’re considering an incomplete grade, speak with an advisor first to find out if it’s reasonable to complete the course or if it makes more sense to withdraw.
I have a personal crisis. What counseling resources are available to me?
The USSC is a safe space, and we are here to hear you even if it's not about grades. We are holistic advisors, which means we see more than just the GPA you carry and we care about the whole student. While we do not offer counseling services, the USSC is a great place to learn about resources available to you, including the University Counseling Center, which offers a variety of resources, including drop-in counseling sessions with the Mental Health Access Team. Please note that Senior Director Sally Garner is a designated reporter and must report any learned information about discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
I took a class at another school. How do I transfer my credits to UO?
You can transfer credits from another school by delivering official transcripts to the UO Office of the Registrar. For more information about transferring credits and to find the Transfer Equivalency Database, go to the Transfer Credits page.
Didn’t see your question? See an expanded FAQ on the USSC website.
—Ella Norton, public relations ’24
Ella Norton (she/her/hers), a recent graduate of the SOJC, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She majored in public relations and French and is the executive print editor for Align magazine, an account supervisor for Allen Hall Public Relations and an ambassador for the SOJC.