Career Discovery Groups

Career Discovery Groups offer you an opportunity to explore career possibilities and make academic choices for future success.

Guidance from graduate student mentors will help you learn to navigate the research university and use campus resources. Interaction with faculty and advisors will help you gain insights on how to pursue experience in a career path. First-year students who participate in Career Discovery Groups (CDG) have higher GPAs and higher rates of retention at UC Davis. Participants are more likely to complete internships and have career positions or acceptance to graduate or professional schools when they graduate.

What will Career Discovery Groups do for me?

CDG will help you begin your career planning right away. You will be able to research an array of careers with mentors and fellow students in a small-group setting.

Who is eligible?

All College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) incoming first-year and transfer students are welcome.

How does the program work?

CDG provides you with classes directed by a graduate student mentor who will introduce you to campus resources, help you explore potential major and career paths, and guide your course selection. There are only 20-25 students per section, so you will be part of a group with shared interests. Together, you can begin your quest for discovery from day one!

The program for incoming first-year students lasts three quarters, with one career exploration course per quarter. A graduate student mentor will support you in your transition to the UC Davis campus, help you network with professionals, alumni and experienced Aggies at special events and guide you as you define your interests.

The program for incoming transfer students offers one fall quarter course in which you will work with a graduate student mentor to learn how to navigate our research environment, assess

How do I register for the CDG program?

To register for the CDG program, use the table below to find the first year class that works for your schedule and enter the class' Course Registration Number (CRN) into your Schedule Builder. Please note, you must use the CRN as entering SAS 6A into Schedule Builder will not work.

Fall Quarter CDG Schedule

First-Year Students

CRN	COURSE	SECTION	DAY	DISCUSSION TIME	ROOM	NOTES
46603	SAS 006A	003	Tues	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	SOSCI 80	EOP students only
46604	SAS 006A	004	Mon	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	OLSON 267	EOP students only
46605	SAS 006A	005	Wed	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	OLSON 227	Open to all students
46606	SAS 006A	006	Thurs	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	WELLMN 233	Open to all students
46607	SAS 006A	007	Mon	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	OLSON 141	Open to all students
46608	SAS 006A	008	Tues	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	WELLMN 229	Open to all students
46609	SAS 006A	009	Thurs	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	STORER 1342	Open to all students
46610	SAS 006A	010	Mon	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	OLSON 125	Open to all students
46611	SAS 006A	011	Tues	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	TBA	Open to all students
46612	SAS 006A	012	Wed	5:10 PM - 6:00 PM	BAINER 1134	Open to all students

Transfer Students

CRN	COURSE	SECTION	DAY	DISCUSSION TIME	ROOM
46640	SAS 106	002	Thurs	4:40 PM - 6:00 PM	SOSCI 90
46641	SAS 106	003	Fri	12:10 PM - 1:30 PM	PHYSIC 130
46642	SAS 106	004	Fri	12:10 PM - 1:30 PM	WICKSN 1020
46643	SAS 106	005	Thurs	4:40 PM - 6:00 PM	HUTCH 102
46644	SAS 106	006	Wed	4:40 PM - 6:00 PM	HOAGLD 113

A student working on a landscape project.

Experiential Learning

A student harvesting vegetables at the UC Davis Student Farm.

A student holding at lamp at the UC Davis Student Farm.

A student harvesting grapes at the UC Davis RMI vineyard.

“As far as life skills go, this is the most helpful class. CDG teaches you how to communicate with people, how to conduct presentations and how to set your life up for more success.”

—Sumeet, Animal Science

Questions about CDG? Email us!

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