Momentum continues to build around an innovative new student advising tool developed at Queen’s.

With more than 20,000 online page views in six months and positive feedback from users, Queen’s Major Maps recently received the Excellence in Innovation Award (Student Engagement) from the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE).

The maps, individually tailored for the university’s 44 undergraduate programs, help students navigate the opportunities available at Queen’s, providing advice on academics, extracurricular activities, networking, international opportunities and career development. Each major map lays out a four-year timeline, suggesting activities and strategies students can use each year to make the most of their student experience and prepare for careers after graduation.

Queen’s Career Services in the Division of Student Affairs led the project and launched the maps in January 2015.

“We are honoured to receive this award. We also recognize this honour wouldn’t have been possible without the valuable input from students, staff and faculty members across campus,” says Cathy Keates, Director, Queen’s Career Services.

Career Services identified the need for the maps, the first of their kind in Canada, based on student surveys and feedback.

“The Major Maps are a wonderfully innovative resource for Queen’s undergraduate students at any stage of their education,” says Holly Mathias, Artsci’16. “Going into my final year at Queen’s, I’m able to use the Global Development Major Map to keep track of required courses, learn about relevant volunteer opportunities and explore possible career options after graduation.”

Career Services distributed 6,000 copies of the maps across campus and made them available online in web and accessible formats. Career Services has already shared the project with three other post-secondary institutions that are interested in offering the resource to their students.

“We know many students worry about how to make the best decisions about their academic paths and career preparation,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “We are very pleased with the response the Major Maps have been getting and the positive impact they are having on students’ learning experience at Queen’s. 

The Excellence in Innovation Award (Student Engagement) celebrates the best information, program or resource for students. Members of CACEE vote for the winning submission based on design, creativity, innovation, measured outcomes and ease of replication.