In this episode, Emma and Cadie are joined by Emma Bosies to discuss switching majors when you're already close to graduating. The how, the why, and more are all answered!
EMMA H: Welcome to CHSS Connection, a podcast where we interview different students about all things CHSS, from academics to careers to everything in between. This is a student success podcast for CHSS students by CHSS students. However, if you're not a CHSS student, welcome! We're so glad you're here. I'm Emma Howard. CADIE: I'm Cadie Junker. BOTH: And we're your hosts! CADIE: In this episode, we're interviewing a criminology student about changing majors as an upperclassman. Obviously, we could not do this alone. So today we are joined by senior criminology student, Emma Bosies. Emma, thank you so much for joining us. How are you doing? EMMA B: Thank you. Thank you. Honestly, pretty good today. CADIE: Good. And I'm sure this won't get confusing at all having two Emmas on the podcast. EMMA B: Of course not. EMMA H: All right. Let's start it off. So Emma, can you tell us a little bit about your criminology degree? Do you have any minors that you're doing? EMMA B: Yes. So as you said, senior criminology major and a forensic science minor at the moment. EMMA H: Neat. Cool. Next question. EMMA B: How should I elaborate? EMMA H: You don't have to if you don't want to. CADIE: You don't have to. EMMA B: I feel like we'll get into it later. EMMA H: Oh, yeah. Oh, we will. We will. CADIE: Yes. Beautiful. Beautiful. EMMA B: Just a little taste. CADIE: Second question. Can you tell us a little bit about your path here at GMU? EMMA B: Yes, of course. So my path at GMU actually started out as a high school junior student. I got invited to the summer program that they do here for forensic science people. I think it's called Envision, the Envision program. So I came here that summer between junior and senior year. We got to do a bunch of forensic science stuff. We got put with people who were in the forensic science major, who were volunteering, got to go to D.C., all that fun stuff, right? And I was like, wow, this is really fun. This is really cool. So I put George Mason in the back of my mind for when I was applying for college. Fast forward, applying to college, got accepted to George Mason. I was like, yeah, I think I really like it here. So then came to George Mason. I enrolled at first as a forensic science major. CADIE: Gotcha. EMMA B: Yes. So most of my career here at George Mason has been in forensic science. And then it just wasn't working out for me anymore. We can get into that more later. CADIE: We will. It just wasn't working out for me anymore. And I was like, well, what else am I interested in? Always been interested in criminology, all that, you know, crime show, fun stuff. Grew up watching those. And I was like, wow, that would be pretty fun. I've took some criminology courses for my... CADIE: Electives? EMMA B: Yes. For my electives and Mason Core. And then I was like, wow, all the teachers I've had so far, pretty fun. Love it. And then I was like, you know what? I think this would be the closest I'm most interested in this. And then I decided to switch to criminology. And then right now, here we are. This is my last semester at Mason and we're doing good so far. EMMA H: Great. CADIE: Yay. EMMA H: So would you say that when you were taking those Mason Core classes, those electives, Is that when you were drawn to criminology, were there specific aspects or factors that drew you to criminology? EMMA B: That's a good point. So when I was in high school, when I was in high school, I took this program, the CTE program. It was a criminal justice program. So I was in that for three out of my four years of high school. And I got to learn a lot about criminal justice, criminology, how that all works. And I was like, wow, this is really fun. I always did really great in that class. Had a really great teacher. And I was like, wow, I really like this. Like, this is really fun. So then I guess I had prior experience with criminology and criminal justice and I'd always liked it. So I was like, you know what? Yeah. I've always been interested in like the government field. So I think this would be a good switch for me. EMMA H: And I think you might have said this already, but when did you decide to switch? EMMA B: Yes. So it was actually going into going into my senior year of college here. It was so I started in fall of 21. So I was supposed to graduate spring of 25. So going into fall 25, I was like, this was during the summertime. I was like, this, I'm not going to graduate on time. This isn't for me. I still really, really love it. I'm just not producing, I don't know how to say this, producing the right amount of work that I want, if that makes sense. So yeah, I decided to switch senior year. EMMA H: To clarify, did you say fall 25? Did you mean another year? Because it is currently fall 25. EMMA B: Great catch. Um, actually, yes, that would be fall 24. EMMA H: I see. So summer. EMMA B: Yes, yes, yes. So summer 24, I decided to switch. EMMA H: Okay. Yes. EMMA B: Thank you for that. Thank you. EMMA H: Of course. No worries. I thought I was losing it for a second. CADIE: What surprised you most when you started taking criminology courses as a CLS major? EMMA B: Right. So honestly, I think, I know since Mason, our area that we're in, we have such great availability to DC and all of our professors, but getting to experience that even more than I already had with like the core and electives was absolutely eye opening. Everyone is so smart and they have such knowledge about their field and the criminal justice field and what they've done. And it's just amazing to learn of their experiences because a lot of them get to share their stories with me that you would never hear unless you were in the major. And it's just so inspiring, I guess, being in this major and all of the professors have been so kind and welcoming. And they're like, oh, let's go grab a coffee. Let's talk about your future in this area and stuff like that. So they're all so supportive. EMMA H: Can you tell us about the process behind switching majors? EMMA B: Yes. So it's actually not hard at all, which I was very surprised about. So once these thoughts started coming to my mind, I was like, how am I even going to do this? It's going to be so hard. It's going to be such a switch. But it really wasn't. So I had these thoughts and then through my job on campus, I learned about our student success coaching program that we have here. Right? EMMA H: Are you talking about Patriot Leader? EMMA B: Yes. CADIE: If I had a nickel for every time Patriot Leaders comes up. EMMA H: If I had a nickel for every time Global Gateway is mentioned on this podcast. CADIE: You think this is a CHSS podcast? No, it's actually a Global Gateway and Patriot Leader podcast. EMMA B: I'm so glad you picked up on that. Yes. So that summer, 24, summer 24, I was a Patriot Leader. And you know, since being a Patriot Leader, we have to learn about all of our resources on campus that I didn't really get to know about before. Learned about success coaching. I was like, you know what? I've never tried it before. Let me try it. I think she could really help me. Got an appointment over that summer with my success coach. So supportive. So sweet. Highly recommend it to anyone at Mason if they're just thinking about their career, their school, anything. They're so helpful. But did that. Talked out my options with her. She was like, yeah, all you have to do, create an appointment with your advisor. And then they will send you the major form switch, fill it out, and you're done. I was like, wow, okay, sure. So I created an academic advising appointment with a CHSS advisor. So it was advising outside of my major. Met with her. Again, super, super sweet. I was like, yeah, this is what I'm thinking. What do you think? She was like, yeah, we can do it. I'll send you over the form today after our meeting. I was like, oh, okay. She's like, you have to, all you have to do is sign this, this, this, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I was like, okay. So I did it. Emailed her back. She's like, great. Let me send this in. And the rest is history. Yeah, super easy. CADIE: That's great. I always love to hear how easy it is, because I think that's one of the barriers that stops people from switching majors, even if they really want to, because they're afraid that it's going to be some long, complicated, convoluted process. But no, just a couple of forms, a couple of meetings, and you're done. EMMA B: Literally done. CADIE: Beautiful. How did you make that decision to switch? EMMA B: I think the biggest blockade would be mentally, if that makes sense. CADIE & EMMA H: Yeah. EMMA B: Because, like I said, I came in as a forensic science major, and I had been so committed to that. I was like, I'm going to be a scientist. I'm going to work in the lab. I'm going to do crime scene stuff and all of that, which I still love to this day. I love working in the lab. I love doing analysis. I love all of that. But I was so committed to that, and I was like, I'm a science student. But yeah, I think that was my major blockade. And I talked with my mom first, of course. I was like, this is what I'm thinking. What do you think? She was so supportive. She was like, yeah, of course. You can do it. At this point, I had already had the conversation with the academic success coach, success coaching, and I was like, yeah. She told me how to do the process, what I'd be looking at. You know what I mean? CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: And she was like, yeah, of course. And then I also talked to my supervisors and my fellow Patriot leaders about, because some of them had switched majors before, so I was trying to get their view on that and how that was for them. And then after hearing all of that, I was like, you know what, I can do this. It is okay. I have support behind me, and everyone I've met so far has been really supportive and really helpful, and they're not leaving me behind. So I think that kind of helped me, and there was definitely a transition that first semester as a criminology major where I was like, oh, I'm a science student, I'm a science student. But no, I think there was just that transition time, but now I'm really, really happy with the criminology major. CADIE: Can I ask, switching from science to CHSS, what have been some of the key differences that you've noticed? Because you didn't just switch, you know, from English to crim. You switched from a Bachelor of Science to a Bachelor of Arts? EMMA B: Still a Bachelor of Science. CADIE: Ok, still a Bachelor of Science. But you are in a humanities, social science lens instead of, I'm not sure which college, forensic science. EMMA B & EMMA H: College of Science. CADIE: Okay. I'm not super familiar with the colleges on campus. EMMA H: Got that PL knowledge up in there. EMMA B: It'll get you far. No, it's okay. Could you repeat it one more time? CADIE: Yeah, yeah, yeah. What have been some of the differences that you've noticed? EMMA B: Honestly, major, major difference was all of the writing. We do a lot of writing in CHSS classes or my criminology classes, and I hadn't really had to do that as a science major before. With science majors, it's more so you go to the lab and you do lab reports and a lot of math with your lab reports. So I was very math analysis focused. And then making that switch where I'm not a writer, like I'm not a writer at all. I think I can write, but I just don't enjoy the process of writing. So I think that switch was a huge thing for me. However, it did push me a lot in my writing, I think, because every class you have a midterm paper, final paper. So that did push me in my writing a lot. And I think I have gotten a lot better at writing. Still don't enjoy it as much, but I think it's a very useful skill that I've gained. And I'm very happy about that. I'm proud about that. I think, oh, this was another one. So with Criminology, Law, and Society, I had to take a lot of law classes, and a lot of those classes are teached by lawyers here in the criminology major. And I think they teach their classes very differently than a science focused person would. I think it's just their professions and the way they teach. I enjoy both. I think both are great. It's just very like, I think it's just a different switch with their professions, if that makes sense. EMMA H: I feel like humanities professors, humanities slash social sciences professors are more used to, God, this sounds like such a diss to like all STEM professors. But I like CHSS faculty and professors, they have to have good social skills. That is their like job. And that's a part of like, that's a really critical skill in almost every major you'll find in CHSS. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: No, I get what you're saying. I get what you're saying. I think it's the very, like I kind of mentioned before, the very analytical side of people versus the very humanitarian social side of people. And I think that shows in their teaching styles. And I got used to the one and then I had to switch to the other, which very good to know both sides. But yeah, yeah, very, just a little bit of a different switch. EMMA H: Yeah. As much as you're willing to share, how did switching majors impact your academic timeline? How did you cope with that? EMMA B: So, like I said, I was supposed to graduate spring 25, it is now fall 25. But honestly, I didn't really switch it that much because I'm just I'm graduating this semester. Woohoo. CADIE: Oooo! EMMA H: Yay! EMMA B: Yeah. So I'm just graduating one semester late. And so I've had about three total semesters of criminology. EMMA H: Nice. Nice. CADIE: But that was enough. EMMA B: That was enough because I had been a forensic science major, I did all of my science credits. All of my Mason core credits, almost all of my electives as an underclassman. And then coming to the criminology major had taken some of the electives already. And then all I had to do was upper coursework. So 300 and 400 levels. Yeah, that's really all I had to do was really a nice switch. And I have my forensic minor still. So yeah, just one semester late, which, you know, not too bad. I know a lot of people are like, “Oh, I'm not going to graduate in four years. I'm not going to graduate in four years.” Honestly, it is okay. Yeah, that is what I've learned the most is that is okay. It's more common than you think that people don't graduate within four years. CADIE: Oh, yeah, absolutely. EMMA H: I'm gonna take five years. EMMA B: Yeah, exactly. EMMA H: Five years. Let's go with that. EMMA B: Yeah, exactly. And you know what? All that matters at the end of the day is that you do get your degree and you learn what you want to learn. EMMA H: Correct. CADIE: And everybody has their own path. EMMA B: Exactly. It's not one box.... One size fits all? CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: So yeah. CADUE: And that's so amazing to hear as somebody who, you know, hasn't switched majors, because I think I could imagine that like, oh, I'm switching majors, am I gonna have to do a whole nother four years? Like, I could see that being a concern that some people have, but no, I mean, yes, it did push back your graduation date, but it was only by a semester. And it sounds like switching, obviously was the right decision or else you would have switched. Next question for you kind of on that subject, how has switching your major elevated your college experience? EMMA B: Okay, this is gonna sound, again, kind of dissy. EMMA H: We're here for it. It's okay. Bring it on. EMMA B: No, I love my science people. CADIE: We love the science people too. EMMA H: We do. CADIE: But this is a CHSS podcast. EMMA H: Correct. We have our priorities. CADIE: We're gonna start a college war on this podcast. EMMA H: Oh my gosh. EMMA B: No, I'm still a science person, I promise. I am so much happier, I guess you would say, with my decision to switch. CADIE: Oh, yeah. How has switching your major elevated your college experience? EMMA B: Yes. I think being in the major that I was in, I was also going through a lot of like, personal, like, outside stuff not related to the major. And I just think those did not combine very well for the time that I was in. And you know, I was working through a lot of stuff. And then switching the major, I think really helped me with that, if that makes sense. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: Yeah, so far, I've been a lot happier. I'm very happy with my decision. And I think my quality of life is better. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: I mean, it obviously has to do with other factors outside of just switching majors in the criminology major. But I've learned so much from my major just alone that I've always wanted to learn. And I think this has been more the switch has been like this major, this major has been more tailored towards my interests as what I want to do in my career. EMMA H: Yeah. EMMA B: More so. EMMA H: I don't know what the external factors were, but it certainly sounds like switching into criminology brought a better sense of clarity, of stability, and overall, just a better, better well being, which is always that. My parents always tell me that my number one job is being a student. And that's very true. EMMA B: Yes. EMMA H: However, they also tell me and I always have to remind myself and I'm telling you, Emma and listeners is that your number one, number one job should be taking care of yourself. Because nothing else can happen and you cannot succeed in anything else. If you are not well. EMMA B: Correct. CADIE: And it sounds like as well, criminology kind of gave you a foundation by switching majors. It took care of at least one stressor. And then it gave you a better platform or okay, now I can deal with all of these other personal factors and that are affecting my life as well. EMMA B: That was beautiful. Both. Both of what you said. Beautiful. Wrapped it up perfectly in a little bow. Yes. EMMA H: That's why we're the Comm and English majors. EMMA B: No, that was actually beautiful and described it perfectly. I think I was very stressed over my major over life, you know, all that stuff. And yeah, I was like, Oh, this isn't for me anymore. And then yeah, perfect, perfectly said, it just took one of the stressors away and then I could focus on myself and being a student and everything else that comes with that. EMMA H: So we're actually closing out Act One, which is so crazy because I mean, I feel like time is flying by. But as we close out Act One, Emma, I'm wondering, which resources did you utilize to help make the process of switching majors as smooth as possible? EMMA B: Honestly, my job here on campus that I had a couple summers ago, being a Patriot Leader helped me greatly because I learned so many resources that we have on campus that I didn't necessarily get to know when I was coming into college during COVID because a lot of things were muted online. So I got to learn a lot about our resources here, and one of the resources I learned was our student success coaching team. They're here to talk about really anything you want that can help you succeed as a person, as a student here at Mason. So I talked about that with her and then I used my academic advising. EMMA H: All great resources. CADIE: All great resources, fantastic resources. EMMA H: And with that, we're going to close out Act One and we're going to head into the bulletin board where you're going to hear from a success coach as our correspondent, as well as some CHSS announcements and any additional PSAs. And yeah, all right. CADIE: Woo! EMMA: Transition music. CADIE: Don't skip this. This isn't an ad break. EMMA H: This is the bulletin board. In every episode, this is where we will announce upcoming events and opportunities in CHSS, hear from correspondents and give shout outs to the resources that make this podcast possible. JOSHUA: Hi, my name's Joshua Braaten. I currently serve as one of the five assistant directors within the student success coaching unit here at George Mason University. Our office is located on the Fairfax campus on the third floor, suite 3600 of Student Union Building One. So directly in center campus near Horizon, just a short walk from the Johnson Center overall. I've been at George Mason for going on four and a half years. The unit itself, Student Success Coaching, has been in existence for over five years. I believe we're going on six years, actually, if I'm not mistaken. So while we are established at the institution, we are still a rather young unit in comparison to a lot of other units and adjacent departments on campus. As I had mentioned, we're located in Student Union Building One. You can reach out to us via email or phone. You could also stop in in person if you wish. Our email is mycoach, that's M-Y-C-O-A-C-H, mycoach@gmu.edu. You can also reach out to our front office at 703-993-2470. We have a wonderful and talented group of office assistants that are actually all undergraduate students here at George Mason that can assist you and direct you to the proper coach or triage the situation and get you to the proper unit or department. We handle student appointments. That's essentially our bread and butter when it comes to what we do from an employment perspective. So just like many other units on campus, we are front facing for students, meaning that we're working with you one on one. We don't do much behind the scenes stuff. We're boots on the ground and really trying to assist all students at George Mason in determining what success looks like to them as an individual. With that being said, obviously, students at George Mason are students, but we like to look through students, not exactly through the lens of a G number, but more so through the lens of a human being and having different needs across the board from student to student and maybe from identity to identity or demographic to demographic. Appointments typically last between 30 and 60 minutes. It really depends on what the needs of the student are within that appointment and the appointments build on each other. So typically you're not just going to have one student success coaching appointment. You're going to have that initial or first time appointment and then build on it in a future appointment. With that being said, we are not used for long term care. We are more so equipped to help you determine what you need in that moment. And hold you accountable and motivate you to that need. A big difference between what a success coach is and an academic advisor is that academic piece to it. So academic advising provides incredibly holistic support across the board. However, a lot of the support is academic specific. So maybe what courses to take, when to take them, best way to get from point A to point B throughout a program at George Mason University. We would chat with students more about the obstacles and their way from being successful in those classes and working together to remove those obstacles to create an actionable plan to ultimately reach the pinnacle of what success looks like to that individual student. So within our unit, like I had mentioned, we will work with academia as a focus matter. But we also have eight other focus areas, which includes school community, career, effectiveness, civic engagement, commitment to graduation, well-being, finances and managing commitments. So we have nine total when you add in academics to that. So ultimately, we are equipped to help students with really anything that is brought to the table with us. And our job is to work with those students to overcome those obstacles, as I had mentioned, and really determine what success looks like to them over their journey at George Mason University. A common misconception that we may have within our unit is that we are a therapeutic type of department or unit. So we can definitely talk about difficult subject matters. But in many cases, we're going to refer a student to maybe the Student Support and Advocacy Center or Counseling and Psychological Services, just depending on what the need of that student is. There is no required cost associated with attending an appointment, a student success coaching appointment, that is. It is built into the cost of tuition. It's also not a requirement. So students at George Mason are able to utilize the services of student success coaching at their own desire. Not required to attend an appointment. And we offer appointments from undergraduate students all the way up to doctorate students. So any student at George Mason can be or can use the services of student success coaching. However, undergraduate and transfer students are specifically assigned a success coach. Just this spring semester, spring 2026, we did transition to more of an academic model when it comes to coaching. So in the past, students were assigned to coaches based off of the first letter of their last name or perhaps a special population like DCCAP or ADVANCE. Nowadays, again, beginning spring 2026, we are assigned by academic college. So, for instance, as an assistant director within the unit and the employees that work with me, we work with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Public Health. We also specifically work with Housing and Residence Life students within our Bachelor of Science in Nursing. And we are partnered with the admissions department within kind of my silo of the unit. Especially with this new collaborative academic model that we have within success coaching and working with academic colleges, and really forming these partnerships. It's that it's a partnership and it's important to collaborate with different units on campus to provide that holistic support for students. So we may chat with a student in regards to how to book that academic advising appointment per se, or maybe like what to ask, what questions to ask within that appointment and vice versa. I believe I think if a student's going to go to an academic advisor, there's many cases where that student is referred to us or recommended to come see us just based off of the subject matter that was brought into that unit. So, from a collaborative standpoint, we have really built those partnerships. We are looking forward to more partnership and collaboration when it comes to different events on campus, et cetera, and really maximizing the talent that we have at George Mason University from an employment perspective. You know, we have a lot of talented students here, obviously 40,000 plus. I think we're at 44,000 plus. We also have a lot of talent when it comes to employment and those that we have that are serving our students here at George Mason. CADIE: And thank you again to Joshua for that insight. Student success coaching is such a unique and valuable resource. So if something he said interests you, be sure to make an appointment. Now on to your CHSS announcements. As always, every week we have CHSS Pop and Talk. That's in the Horizon Hall atrium from 230 to 430 p.m. Stop by and chat with the CHSS ambassador. Whether you have a question, a comment or just looking for some community, be sure to pop by and talk. Now, next for you, I have our undergraduate research symposium. I've been talking about this for the past couple of weeks now, but I still really want to highlight it. The deadline for abstracts was April 10th, so that is now past. So unfortunately, if you didn't turn in your abstract, you won't be able to present at this event. However, there is still an avenue for you to participate. If you are interested in the event, then please come on Thursday, April 23rd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. And check out all of the research that CHSS students have been getting up to within the past year. And finally, I want to highlight the end-of-semester de-stress event that is going to be a picnic and wellness activities that will be on Thursday, April 30th from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. in the quad, which is the grassy area near Sub One. As finals creep up on us, be sure to take care of you and your health, both your physical and mental health. And stop by, relax, de-stress for just a little bit, and then we can go back to worrying about passing our classes later. OK? OK, I will see you all there. Hi, guys. Just coming on here with a quick correction. The end-of-the-semester wellness picnic actually begins at noon and it ends at 2 p.m. I think in previous episodes I had said that it started earlier than it did and ended later than it did. That is my bad. The picnic starts at noon and ends at 2 p.m. So, it's only two hours long. However, I still hope to see you there! CADIE: And we are back, welcome back to Act Two. Emma, I want to give you just a tiny bit heads up. That sounds really intimidating, but the first act focuses more on general information, about the major switch, the process behind it, these questions are going to be a little bit of a deeper reflection, really pulling from your own personal experiences. EMMA H: So very first question on that note. Who were some of the individuals who supported you during your major change? This could be family, friends, professors, co-workers. EMMA B: I would say my friends during that summer. I would talk a Lot with them about what should I do? Because I think I mentioned it a little bit earlier. I was so committed to my major that I was in at the time, and I was like, oh, this is just like a big step. Like I got really emotional about it. EMMA H: Understandably. EMMA B: Especially talking with my success coach, too. I got really emotional about it, and she's like it's okay. It's a big step, don't even worry about it, and I was like, you know what? I shouldn't worry about it that much, like at the end of the day. I am going to graduate, and I'm going to do what I want to do with my degree, and I will be successful. So I would say my friends helped me a lot with that. The success coach helped me a lot with that, and then I called my mom, and I was like, hey, this is what I'm thinking. What do you think? And she was like, “Yeah, honestly, honey if it's the right step for you, then it will be fine.” Again, yes, you're so right. Yes, so I'd say in that moment like thinking about switching. I think that would be my biggest support that I had. When I had already switched, I think my biggest support was again my friends. Because I was like, again, such a big change felt so connected, and then this is like a whole new world, different college, different type of college. So, I feel like once I got in it, it wasn't necessarily as hard as I thought it would be in like the switching aspect, but like... Forgot what I'm trying to say, it's like, the like emotional aspect ,I guess, like that. And then yeah again I would have talks with my friends, and they're like, well, are you doing what you want to do? I was like, yeah. Then you're fine. Like it is all gonna be okay, so I feel like that's probably also one of the biggest advices as well with all that. CADIE: Yeah. Going back to what you said about the moment that you called your mom and was telling her about this, I kind of was curious If there was a specific moment that you can pinpoint when you realized that you had wanted to switch majors. EMMA B: I don't think it was necessarily that phone call with my mother, but it was probably the end of that Spring semester where I was like, I don't, I’m not doing well. Like, I don't, I really don't think I can keep doing this, but I was so reserved. I was like, “No, like I can do this, like even if maybe I'll graduate late, like I can do this.” Like as in my old major, and it just... Well, okay, actually take a step back. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: That thought process was happening. Let's .... What is it fall 23? And then I was like, you know what? Let me register for my classes for spring 24, and I was like, I can push through this. Spring 24 comes to a conclusion, I was like I don't think I can push through this anymore. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: So then came the reality that hit me, I guess you could say, was like I have to do something about this for my well-being, for my career, where I want to be in life once I graduate. So that I think after that spring 24 semester, I think that was the point when I was like, something has to change, and I’m gonna make it happen, and we're gonna succeed. EMMA H: Yeah. EMMA B: Yeah. EMMA H: I'll say I want to make a note and affirm for you that it takes a lot of bravery to be honest with oneself especially on a in a decision that feels so big, and so I think you were very brave, and very admirable, and just taking that because it takes a lot of strength to just be honest with yourself on things like that, so kudos to you. EMMA B: No, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. And yeah, you're totally right, like I think coming to that reality was very hard for me. Yeah, but once I had and once I'd like taken that big initial step to decide that everything was okay after that. CADIE: Yeah, I also want to mention, like with college, too, we're spending so much time, so much money to be here. If switching majors, even if you're about to graduate the following year, is what gives you the best use for your career, because let's be honest, most people if they're spending the money to go to college, they're doing so for career advancement. Unfortunately, because of how expensive it is, I don't know of anybody who goes to college just to learn things. You know, like normally it's some sort of career advancement, or oh, I think I want a future in this sort of vibe. Honestly, I wish that college was cheap enough that I could learn all the things. I want to major in everything. But back to my point, because I did have a point. You have to make your degree work for you, and the purposes that you want it to work for, and if switching is what does that, then good! Like, I'm so grateful that you did, and I think that there's so much value in having the degree that you want, and that you're proud of. EMMA B: Yeah, yeah, no, that's such a great point. And I’m glad that like you can see that, and you can see that. That makes me really happy. Yeah, because uh, you made a great point. I think people should be happy with what they're doing, especially if they're paying so much money to do it. Yeah, and I think that's what pushed me to change that. I wasn't really happy anymore about it. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: And now like I said, I’m very grateful, and I think everyone should be able to feel that. EMMA H: Were there any - this is a pivot, were there any misconceptions you had about the criminology major that turned out not to be true? EMMA B: I would say not misconceptions about the criminology major as a whole, but I think misconception, excuse me, misconceptions about maybe like stigma and misconceptions about changing majors and going from a science student to a humanities student. And that is not real. Like that stigma is not real, like you know what I mean? Like that shouldn't even be a thing. But I was like, oh my gosh, like I don't know. You know what I mean? Like and I’m not, I'm not hating on anyone. CADIE: Speak your truth. EMMA B: No, because I don't, I'm not... I love both of them so much right and I still have my minor that I love, and it's just I think that misconception of being like, “Oh, I'm not gonna do like all this math stuff like I'm good.” This sounds so bad, but I was like, “I'm not gonna be like... I'm not gonna ...” I don't know. I don't know how to word it. EMMA H: I understand as someone who has considered making a switch into the performing arts, where some people are like.... I could imagine the stigma being like, “Oh you're going from a degree that's gonna make you money to one that’s not. “ EMMA B: Yes. CADIE: Yes, I think that there is an inherent value that comes with having STEM degrees that, unfortunately, humanities degrees often do not have, and social science degrees often do not have. I see it all the I see it online all the time, people dogging on comms, and so I think I understand what you're saying, or attempting to say, about there may be the stigma about I’m going from a degree that might have more job security into one that doesn't, but this one Is going to make me happier. It's a better use of my time. It's better, it's going to put me in a position for a career better than forensic science would, and that's not a diss to forensic science at all. It's just the reality of the situation EMMA B: Yes. EMMA H: It's a diss to the stigma that you very helpfully pointed out, should not, and really does not need to exist. EMMA B: Exactly. No, I think you both put it very well said better than I was trying to say. CADIE: It’s okay. Hey, that's what I spend my money on, learning how to communicate. EMMA B: No, yeah, there's so many stigmas around different majors and careers, and it's just like, well, obviously, I know them because I'm on social media. I think a lot of people know, like different stigmas around different things, and it's just like I don't want to be a part of that. Like, I don't want people to see me like this if this is how they see this area of like study and career. So yeah, yes, and then going back to your... what you said about waste of time. I'm the type of person where I hate my time being wasted, and I feel like you made a very good point about how switching made me, like, happier and feel like it was more so catered to my time, and I got a lot of out of my time. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: Yeah. CADIE: Which is what should happen for college. Our next question for you: What would you say to students who may want to make a major switch but are too scared or intimidated to do so? EMMA B: I was definitely there. You don't have to be as scared as you are. Don't get me wrong, it's very, very scary because there's so many what-ifs that come with switching your major, especially if like financial what-ifs, housing what-ifs, timeline what-ifs. Especially if you're switching like a total shift of careers, like going from I don't know, like a business major, to like I guess a science major, you know, like those are completely two different opposite pathways. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: I think the best option, I think you know yourself better than anyone else, right? I think the best option for you would to be process and think through these changes. What fits best for you? That way it's like a comfort to you if that makes sense, and you know how you process things, so it doesn't have to be as scary as it's advertised as. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: Does that make sense? EMMA H: It does. EMMA B: Yeah. I think like my way I like to process things is I like to talk it out with myself or other people a lot of the times, and I'm like, let me just talk this out with you, and then I think I'll be better. EMMA H: Yeah. EMMA B: You can give me your opinions, your options, and then I'll give you mine, and we can talk about it and come to a conclusion, but ultimately it is going to be my conclusion. But for me, just talking it out with people helps me a lot. So that's how I did that, and it made it less scary for me. EMMA H: I'm the same way. I completely understand. What was one challenge with switching majors that you had to overcome or that you have overcome? EMMA B: The biggest one for me was that emotional blockage of like I'm so committed to my old one, but I have to switch now. And I think what made me get over that mostly was again my realization, like taking those first, that first semester of the criminology classes, I was like, “Wow, I actually do really, really like this, and this is really fun for me,” and I think having that time to process and like my outside factor situations like getting better. I think that gave me a lot of security in switching. CADIE: Yeah, that makes sense. I can definitely, you know, relate to that because I, I haven't switched majors, but I did switch concentrations. And comms is really interesting because our concentrations are very vastly different. So I switched over from journalism to PR, which are very different fields. And I think that, yeah, as you were saying, like there is an attachment you have, but you can't let that hold you back from finding something better. EMMA B: Exactly. CADIE: Our next question for you is, what are some of your proudest or most validating moments since you switched your major? EMMA B: That's a really great one. I don't think I mentioned it yet here, but along with a lot of the papers comes a lot of presentations in my classes, personally, that I’ve had to do with criminology. I've had to do a lot of like case briefings, and in science classes, we didn't really have to give presentations. It was more so lab reports and that stuff, right? So combined with what I just said, and then like adding to that, I feel like I'm very proud in myself in the way I've developed my presentation skills, speaking skills, getting... being able to get up in front of a crowd, and present. I think that switch helped me a lot with that, not necessarily as like my achievement as a Crim student, but my achievements personally, if that makes sense. I've also just gotten to meet so many cool and inspiring people in the field, and this might sound a little weird, but being able to meet them and learn their stories and me being like, “Oh, I want to do that.” That makes me like feel like I’ve achieved something if that makes sense. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: Like I’ve... CADIE: You've been able to set... EMMA B: Sorry. CADIE: No, you're okay! If I may try and put your movements into words because, listeners you can't see, but I do see like the expression on your face, and I think, you know, from what you've said, it sounds like Crim really aligns more with the achievements that you want, with your personal goals, and you're now being able to do work that you can look at and be very proud of even if it's not necessarily work that you enjoy. You know, you mentioned earlier writing's not really your thing, but it still might feel good. You finish an essay, and you look back on it, and you're like, yeah, that's amazing. EMMA B: Yes, you are so good at this. CADIE: It's my job. EMMA B: Yes. No, that's a perfect example, actually, with papers. A lot of the papers that I’ve had to write and a lot of the topics that I've written it on. So good, so proud of those. I'm like, “Wow, this is top-notch work right here.” Yeah, said it perfectly. EMMA H: Over the course of your time at Mason, how has your definition of, using air quotes, success shifted? EMMA B: I think the biggest thing that helped me was that realization that, at the end of the day, I will be okay. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: I think that's what's changed most for me, is that, and like I feel like my mindset has changed a lot since the switch, whereas I'm, I'm gonna graduate, I'm gonna get my degree, I'm going to, hopefully, get a job in my career. And I like, since switching to the major, I've had a lot of, like, ideas of what career field I want to go into because there's so many within the criminology area as a whole. But I’m interested in this. I really like it. I'm passionate about this. I'm gonna get a job in there no matter what eventually and I’m gonna get to where I want to be in my career. And I’m gonna be okay. It might take a little bit of time, like a couple years after I graduate post-grad, but it's gonna be okay, and I think that mentality has really helped me with a lot of like my classes. And a lot of factors just in life outside of college, and a lot of the professors in the criminology degree, they're honestly the same way, like they have that same mentality, and I think that really helps. Like literally in one of my classes the other day, we had a presentation from a guy. He was in the FBI and stuff like that, and he was like, “You guys are gonna get there. It just might take a couple years, but it's gonna be fine. Like I’m this however many years old, and I didn't get into it until like a couple years after I tried to start my career.” So he's... he was very encouraging. He like tells us this, and it's like, you know what? I am gonna be okay, like I’ve already taken like a huge step already with switching my career, and well, I feel like having that mentality of once you do this, you can do anything. CADIE: Yeah, and what a beautiful sentiment. Unfortunately, our time here is coming to a close, so Emma, I've got one last question for you. And this is a question we like to ask all of our guests, and that question is, do you have any advice for our listeners? EMMA B: Yeah. A lot of it would be what I just mentioned previously, with, like, you can literally, I know it's hard to believe sometimes, I mean, I have days where I don't believe it, but you can literally do anything that you set your mind to. Especially right now, if you focus on yourself and you focus on your career, that's where I am at in my life right now, I'm very focused on myself and my career, what I want to do. Especially, I feel like because I’m graduating, but if you just stay focused, and worry about learning as much as you can learn, and you're happy about it, that's all you need at the moment, if that makes sense. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA H: Yeah, and I think that's a perfect way to vlose out this episode. Emma, thank you so much for joining us. What an incredible conversation, and thank you for sharing your Mason story. I feel like such a PL saying that. Is there anything or anyone that you would like to shout out or promote? What are your post-grad plans and where can listeners find you on social media or in CHSS? EMMA B: Yes, thank you, guys, for having me. It's been so fun. So first, let me shout out the Success Coaching team. They really helped me; I encourage anyone to go to them. No matter where you're at in your Mason journey, go just hang out with them. They also... they host events, so free events that you can go to. Go hang out with them. Have a chat with them They're all super super sweet. And then social media. It's just my name. Emma Bosies. LinkedIn, connect with me. I actually started LinkedIn recently, so I don't have that many connections, but connect with me, please. EMMA H: And then what are your post-grad plans as far as you know? EMMA B: Yes. So, we're graduating soon in like, literally a month. Scary, I know, but-. CADIE: It's so exciting! EMMA H: Congratulations. CADIE: Yes. EMMA B: Thank you. Thank you. Post, well, the big picture is to eventually work for the federal government, and I'm really, really interested in being an intelligence analyst or a criminal or a crime analyst. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: Yes. Yes. Yes. So that's where my passion is at the moment. So, eventually ,we're gonna get there, might take a little bit, but we'll get there. So, for right now, immediate post-grad, just try to get my foot in the door. CADIE: Yeah. EMMA B: That's what everyone says, as long as you get your foot in the door, everything will play out and that's a great first step. EMMA H: And that's a great way to end this episode! Emma, again, thank you for being here. Listeners, yhank you so much for listening to this episode of CHSS Connection. CADIE: Hey, thank you for listening to this episode of CHSS Connection! This podcast is hosted and written by Emma Howard and Cadie Junker. Our audio engineer is Danis Gabitov. Our supervisor is Eleana Velasco. This podcast is produced by George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Special thanks to the Mason Innovation Exchange for their recording studio; the podcast could not happen without them. This project was developed in collaboration with Career Services and the On-Campus Internship Program. If you love the show and want to interact with more of our content, follow us on Instagram @chsspod or check out the CHSS website, where there is an ongoing library of our episodes. You can also be a potential guest on our podcast. EMMA H: If you enjoyed the show and would like to express your support, there are a few things you can do. You can leave a review wherever you are listening to this podcast. You can help by word of mouth, either by telling someone directly who might be interested in the show, or posting about it on social media, tagging @chsspod. All these things help support the show and we appreciate anyone who has done it or will do so in the future. Again, thank you for tuning into this episode. We hope you will tune into the next episode, where we are joined by Rosser Howard. But until then, stay curious! CADIE: Stay creative! BOTH: And stay connected!