Accelerating Professional Socialization with an Undergraduate Proseminar Course

Guiding students on their professional paths, from selecting a major to pursuing a particular career after graduation, can be a significant challenge for faculty and program leaders. Students, particularly those in broad fields like Communication, rarely know what the major involves, or how their studies will translate into a meaningful career. This uncertainty makes it harder for students to see connections between their coursework, campus resources, and extracurricular activities, a disconnect that impacts engagement, academic performance, and retention. In this best practices article, I explain how an undergraduate proseminar can accelerate professional socialization and help students develop more integrated perspectives on their college experience. By identifying possible careers early in their education and discussing how different courses, resources, and activities can aid them in pursuing those professions, students will be better able to navigate the challenges and opportunities of college