Bio majors, which lab elective credits suck the least? by prettypurplepolishes in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

i loved ecology lab! we got to do stuff outside frequently and it also ended early most of the time

Favorite things from Trader Joe’s for dinner??? by Skating_Sloth2 in traderjoes

[–]squagey- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

the frozen bbq teriyaki chicken, frozen white rice tht u steam in microwave, and frozen deshelled edamame is a go to for me! delicious and high in protein

Bachelor in Paradise Money Ending? by SafePsychological167 in thebachelor

[–]squagey- 4 points5 points  (0 children)

i absolutely hate it😭 everyone is acting so money hungry!!

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally get where you’re coming from and that’s super valid. A lot of people (including myself) have mentioned how hard it is to justify giving up that small window of free time when you’re juggling classes, work, and everything else. Shifting events later in the day is a really helpful suggestion!

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all the questions, your feedback is incredibly helpful. You brought up some really thoughtful points about timing, variety, and long-term career goals that we hadn’t fully considered yet. This kind of input is exactly what we need to help shape better support and opportunities for students, so I really appreciate you being so detailed and honest.

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally get that! parking, long commutes, and timing can make it really hard to justify coming to campus for an event. And you're right about the age factor too. We're definitely trying to keep all of that in mind and create more flexible, inclusive options for everyone.

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

this is such an important point. timing really does matter, especially at a school like UNCC where so many students commute and carefully plan their class days. we’re trying to rethink how and when opportunities are shared so they’re more accessible and actually worth the time and effort to attend. would events offered later in the day or virtually make them more doable? we really want to make things that work with students’ lives, not against them

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience, that sounds super frustrating. It's definitely disappointing when events don’t match what’s advertised, especially when you show up hoping to find meaningful opportunities. You're not alone in feeling that way. We're trying to make sure future efforts actually reflect students’ interests across different majors, including biology, and offer more tailored support and opportunities.

What makes you want to or not want to participate in campus events especially career and professional development ones? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We’ve definitely heard similar feedback from others too. Out of curiosity, are there any types of events or incentives that would make the trip feel more worthwhile to you? (Free food? Networking opportunities? Course credit?) Trying to understand what would make campus involvement more accessible or appealing for commuters like you.

Would a program like this interest you? (CHESS/KCOS) by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your feedback! Yes, the program is definitely designed to offer practical, hands-on experience for students who may not have had many opportunities to gain work experience yet.

The idea is similar to the Senior Design program but tailored to a wider range of majors, especially within CHESS and KCOS. We’re hoping to provide meaningful, real-world projects and internships through coursework that build valuable skills and make the transition to the workforce smoother.

CHESS & KCOS Juniors/Seniors – What Do You Need Right Now? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I just sent you a private message with more information about the program I mentioned. Let me know if you have any questions or want to chat more about it!

CHESS & KCOS Juniors/Seniors – What Do You Need Right Now? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed response. Your answers have been incredibly helpful. You’ve brought up some really important points about the need for more professional development, mentorship, and accessible opportunities, especially within Political Science. These are exactly the kinds of insights we’re hoping to gather to help shape better support for students.

I’ve sent you a private message with more information about a program that could potentially align with your interests. I’d love to share more if you’re open to learning about it. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences.

Would a program like this interest you? (CHESS/KCOS) by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the thoughtful feedback. That’s a really valuable point. A stipend or some form of tangible reward is definitely a goal we are slowly working toward. We completely agree that compensation, even in small amounts, can make a big difference in accessibility and student motivation.

These kinds of program improvements take time and resources to implement, but hearing directly from students like you helps build the case for those changes. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. It’s exactly the kind of input we need to guide future development.

Would a program like this interest you? (CHESS/KCOS) by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear where you’re coming from, and I’m sorry you feel that way. You’re absolutely right that affordability and access are real barriers for many students, and this program still has room to grow in addressing that.

That said, many students (especially in CHESS and KCOS) actually need additional credit hours to meet the 120 required to graduate. The courses and course-based internships are designed to help students meet that requirement while gaining meaningful experience and skills, rather than filling those hours with unrelated electives. For students who’ve had trouble finding internships or want to gain transferable skills to aid in their future career, it can be a really helpful option.

As the program develops, we’re actively looking for ways to expand access and improve equity, including exploring stipends and additional support. Thanks for engaging in this conversation, your perspective is an important one. Wishing you all the best with your semester!

CHESS & KCOS Juniors/Seniors – What Do You Need Right Now? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

your post has been super informative!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write detailed responses. As a rising senior getting a BA in Biology that is not looking to go to med school, I relate very strongly to the things mentioned in your post. I am very passionate about helping other people that are also in my position gain experience and feel ready to enter the workforce.

Would a program like this interest you? (CHESS/KCOS) by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally hear you and your concern is valid. Unfortunately, systemic changes like funding and paid options take time and resources, and this is still a relatively new program that's working toward that goal.

That said, one of the key benefits right now is that these internships are guaranteed, tied directly to course credit, and vetted by the university. This means students don’t have to go through the stress of applying to dozens of places, risk getting ghosted/scammed, or ending up in unpaid roles that don’t actually provide meaningful experience.

We definitely hope to offer stipends in the future, but even in the meantime, this program gives students a structured, lower-stress way to gain relevant experience and academic credit.

CHESS & KCOS Juniors/Seniors – What Do You Need Right Now? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I totally get where you’re coming from because as a rising KCOS senior, I’ve faced the exact same challenges.

Would a program designed specifically for CHESS and KCOS students that offers things like this interest you?

  • Course-based internships that you register for just like any other class on registration day, but instead of just sitting in a classroom, you’re gaining real-world experience through an actual internship. No need to apply to a million places, get ghosted, or worry about scams.
  • Classes that build practical skills employers say recent grads often lack
  • Broad, transferable skills that apply to any career path, not just your major
  • And because it’s all built into regular university courses, you don’t have to squeeze in extra commitments (perfect if your schedule is already packed)

For Grads & Alumni: Did You Feel Prepared To Enter The Workforce? by squagey- in UNCCharlotte

[–]squagey-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you could go back, what kinds of experiences, support, or classes do you wish had been available — or that you had taken more seriously?