Do you have a minor declared?
If not, it's time! Meet with your academic advisor to get that sorted ASAP.
Have you picked your classes for Spring, Summer, and Fall?
If not — read on for ideas you might not have considered!
Thinking about graduate school?
You'll definitely need letters of recommendation — and strong ones come from faculty who know you well, not just from one class. Consider taking a lab or independent study (like LDRV 496 or PSYV/LDRV 399/499).
Want to chat about how to be competitive? Set up a meeting with Dr. Perkl!
Need course/career advice?
Your Academic Advisor, Program Director, or Career Services can all help!
These are great for building experience, relationships with faculty, and even boosting grad school apps or resumes.
LDRV 391: Preceptorship
Want to TA for a class you’re in or one you’ve already taken ? You can do that — for credit!
LDRV 493: Internship
Intern with our Organizational Leadership program OR an outside agency. Great fit if you're interested in HR, project management, program development, etc. Some light paperwork included.
LDRV 397B: Mentoring Science + Peer Mentor Role
Be a peer mentor again and learn the science of mentoring. Worth 2 credits/semester, you can take it 2x for up to 4 credits total.
LDRV 399/499: Independent Study/Research
Got a project idea? Pitch it to a full-time professor and make it a credit-earning opportunity. Past students have built business plans, instructional design materials, or done real work for their own companies.
Course Design Assistant (can be done via Internship or Independent Study)
Help a professor improve a class! Especially valuable if you’re interested in HR, training, or instructional design careers.
📝 For more info and how-tos, check this out: Independent Course Opportunities Guide
If you're planning to apply to grad school, consider doing a preceptorship. It gives you valuable 1:1 time with a professor (great for future letters!) and supports the class too. You can precept a class you’re in now or one you’ve already taken.
Choose 1–3 credit hours, based on your schedule. Most students find the work very doable — just some weekly hours, basic paperwork, and one reflection.
➡️ Bonus: Independent studies = even less paperwork, and I personally love them.
Full info here: Independent Course Experiences
Let me know if you want to meet and/or brainstorm options in our next live class - if you have questions I promise someone else does as well and I'm happy to help!
All the best,
Dr. Perkl brandyabrown@arizona.edu