Major Monday!
Let's hear from Associate Professor Christopher Wille about Digital Media and Design and why you should major in it!
Digital Media and Design
What kinds of careers have alumni pursued with this major?
Mostly graphic design, but we have also had students start their own photography business; others have worked at screen printing companies or trophy companies as designers as well as the production.
What might be some unexpected careers?
Students have illustrated for academic journals, I don’t believe most people would think about that but it could easily be achieved with the classes in the major.
How does this major help prepare students for the obvious careers vs. not obvious careers?
It gives them a very broad understanding of many aspects of the field rather than hyper focusing, this makes them adaptable to many different career choices that a traditional graphic design degree does not. It also gives them a solid background in both communications and business, allowing them to better work with people outside the design world.
Is graduate study/professional school required or suggested to pursue career fields with this major?
No, it can be pursued, but is not necessary for a career.
What skills will I gain as a result of being in this major?
The language, theory and tools of design, photography, sound, videography and more. As well as a solid foundation in communications and business.
Major Monday!
Let's hear from Associate Professor William Lally about Criminal Justice/Sociology and why you should major in it!
Criminal Justice/Sociology
What kinds of careers have alumni pursued with this major?
Students with a degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Eureka College have gone on to have careers in policing, corrections, probation, US Secret Service, and crime scene to name a few.
What might be some unexpected careers?
Some students have also gone on to have careers in the private sector such as insurance fraud and private investigations.
What steps can I take now to be successful in finding a job in this field after graduation?
Most successful students tend to take on an internship in the area that they are interested in pursuing. Many times, the location of the internship hires them after graduation.
How does this major help prepare students for the obvious careers vs. not obvious careers?
The Criminal Justice/Sociology program at Eureka College is a mixture of both theory and practical application. Together, the program not only provides students with an education but also valuable training.
Is graduate study/professional school required or suggested to pursue career fields with this major?
Students wishing to pursue management or command positions are encouraged to continue their education. However, it is not a requirement.
What skills will I gain as a result of being in this major?
General skills gained with this program include, critical thinking, competency in communication (both written and oral), better understanding of the legal system (criminal and civil), as well as technical knowledge commonly called upon in the criminal justice field.
Major Monday!
Let's hear from Visiting Assistant Professor of Education Whitney Carver and Associate Professor of Education Janelle Dies about Elementary Education/Special Education double major and why you should major in it!
Elementary Education/Special Education double major
What kinds of careers have alumni pursued with this major?
With a degree in our Elementary Education/Special Education double major, graduates can be employed as a 1-6 general elementary education teacher or a K-22 special education teacher. Specifically, the double major allows for graduates to be highly marketable because all are licensed to teach in various grade levels and types of classrooms. Also, since there is a current teacher shortage, we have discovered that recent graduates can carefully select a future teaching position that fits their personal desires and teacher passion.
What might be some “unexpected careers”?
A few graduates that pursue the double major have also sought employment as an Early Interventionist. These graduates are commonly employed at a pediatric therapy center that assist children ages birth-3 who have developmental delays. This “unexpected career” provides an opportunity for a recent graduate to further their professional development and training specific to this population.
What steps can I take now to be successful in finding a job in this field after graduation?
The state of Illinois is currently experiencing a teacher shortage. The Illinois Association of School Boards reported that in the 2021-2022 school year 6,200 teacher, substitute teacher, and other staff positions went unfilled. Thus, due to the high-quality program that Eureka College offers and this current need, graduates are commonly employed on, before, or immediately following graduation.
Is graduate study/professional school required or suggested to pursue career fields with this major?
Although it is not required, many teachers do take the time to pursue graduate degrees to further their career opportunities in the education field. However, our program highly encourages all graduates to teach for a few years before pursuing graduate work, as coursework is most valuable when it is applied and reflected upon during practice.
What skills will I gain as a result of being in this major?
The Eureka College Teacher Education Program focuses on five core components, which includes Professionalism, Teaching Strategies, Content Knowledge, Classroom Management, and Assessment. As a result, throughout the double major candidates experience growth in knowledge and performance of each of these areas through required coursework and high-quality field placements. Our program takes pride in both a thoughtful course sequence and field placements that increase, expand, and strengthen from freshmen to senior year.
Anything you would like to add?
Eureka College is one of the only private four-year colleges in Illinois to offer an Elementary Education/Special Education pre-designed double major. Our program has discovered that these two majors couple together nicely to provide knowledge and skills that prepare all graduates for these specific learning environments.
