By Alaina Gross ’25
Freshman year of college can be a stressful time between adjusting to a new schedule and familiarizing oneself with campus. This transition can become even more daunting when one struggles to choose their major or faces challenges in their current one. Such was the case for De-Sean Hubert, a current Immaculata University junior from Chester, Pennsylvania, who eventually found his path and set out for success.
Hubert began his academic career as a biology major, but as his first college semester progressed and the workload began to increase, it became a challenge for him to balance his assignments. His study sessions began stretching later into the night, leaving him feeling tired and stressed. Realizing he could not maintain this schedule throughout the semester, Hubert wondered if another major would be a better fit for him.
Deciding he wanted to change his major, Hubert spoke with Immaculata’s Career and Professional Development Office. He sought to pick a major that better suited his skills and allowed him to feel fulfilled, but he was uncertain about which path to take. During his visit to the career office, Hubert took a personality test to help guide his decision. His results indicated that a mathematics-based major may be a better fit for him, so recognizing his affinity for numbers and calculations, he decided to switch his major to accounting.
Though this decision seemed like an excellent choice on paper, Hubert still had some reservations, including how the switch would impact his academic progress. To manage his anxiety, he focused on how the change would benefit him, providing him with new opportunities that would hopefully allow him to flourish.
Throughout the process of switching his major, Hubert found comfort in volunteering with Immaculata’s Campus Ministry Office and engaging in community service. Since his freshman year, he has been an active member of campus ministry, leading student events and acting as a peer minister. When Hubert faced academic challenges, he turned to campus ministry for peace, which helped him stay spiritually productive.
As Hubert became more familiar with his new major, he discovered a new satisfaction and sense of belonging he had longed for since beginning college. As a result, his GPA increased. He received a great deal of support from his professors, boosting his confidence. Eileen Raffaele, a former professor in accounting and finance, was particularly instrumental. According to Hubert, Raffaele provided him with support in his efforts to find a potential internship, suggesting possible companies and recommending that he connect with her former students on LinkedIn for additional guidance.
Pursuing both his academics and volunteer work has helped him grow as an individual and find balance. In recognition of his commitment to community service, Hubert was awarded the Commonwealth Good Citizen Scholarship from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), which is reserved for students who have shown extraordinary commitments to community service and who have demonstrated creativity in shaping their volunteer activities. Recipients of the scholarship are awarded $2,000 to assist them in their academic careers.
Looking back at the last few years, Hubert discussed how he would tell his younger self to approach life and its challenges with an open mind. Rather than rushing into declaring a major, he should have taken the time to examine each aspect of his life to help determine what skills and talents he had. By doing so, he would have selected a major early on that better suited him, allowing him to gain knowledge that interested him.
It is not uncommon for students to change their major at some point during their academic journeys just as Hubert did. Around 80% of incoming college students admit they are unsure about what to major in, yet they declare one anyway. Additionally, up to 75% of students end up changing their majors at least once. At Immaculata, there are so many wonderful resources and support systems that students can look to for guidance just as he did, such as the career office, the writing and math centers, peer tutors, learning support services, academic advising and the counseling center.
When asked what advice he would give students in a similar situation, Hubert stated, “I would tell students to look at the bigger picture and see what your skills are and figure out what you could use them for.”
Though his academic journey began on rough terrain, the road has become smoother thanks to the steps Hubert has taken and the help he has received. While he is not sure what the future holds or what his life will look like beyond graduation, Hubert feels ready for whatever comes next thanks to the lessons and insights he’s gained during his time at Immaculata.
