# @uoregon on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CtZmkeLJo93
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/7202100-uoregon-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/120fc6ba30.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-06-12T18:16:15.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** University of Oregon (@uoregon) — https://gondola.cc/uoregon

## Caption

Senior Spotlight 🎓: Derek Evans

Derek is from Sandy, OR, majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology. During his time at UO, he has worked as a student orientation staffer (SOSer) and campus ambassador where he has spent all of his summers in college helping prospective students learn about the UO.

What made your experience at UO special?
"The University of Oregon allowed me to explore so much about myself, in terms of personal growth and development, and academically—I only changed my majors and minors like six times or so. But really, I was so dead set on becoming a lawyer before I came to UO, and that changed within my first few weeks on campus… and guess what? It was SO easy to change my majors and try something new. There was so much support amongst my peers, faculty members, and advisors for spreading my wings and trying out anything that even vaguely interests me. There is just an aura of support and understanding about the university, and that made my experience on campus so much more welcoming and amazing."

Derek's advice to incoming students:
"Embrace the goofiness that is college; there are so many amazing opportunities that present themselves to incoming students, but it’s so common for students to turn them down for the sake of protecting their 'cool card'. Rip that cool card up, let yourself have fun, and the college experience will become infinitely more engaging, enjoyable, and transformative."

After graduation, Derek plans to continue working with Orientation Programs until the end of August. He then plans to continue working in higher education until he is ready to start a graduate program.

#DuckGrad23 #SeniorSpotlight

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## Tags

duckgrad23, seniorspotlight

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