Just last quarter, a new program was tested on the De Anza College school system. Degree Works, which has made appearances at other colleges, offers services and information regarding student’s classes, schedules and plans of studies. Degree Works should be embraced and used, as it offers a lot of services to the entire student body without having schedules with counselor or timing to bottleneck the efficiency. It helps students to get involved in their own academic careers and gives them a better outlook. 

Degree Works can be thought of as a preliminary advisor, although for many students it is more than enough information to plan out subsequent classes, how many credits they may still need for graduation, and even “what-if” plans. Although some people may have concerns about how Degree Works might give less reason for an institution to keep counselors on their payrolls, students will find Degree Works to be extremely useful, especially without any lines to wait in or appointments to make.

Although Degree Works has not been fully implemented at De Anza, it would give an immense boost to student involvement in their own academic careers, as well as an accurate plan of action if and when they choose to meet with an adviser.

Advisers still have their proper place in our school system even if Degree Works is fully implemented. Advisors will be rendered archaic with Degree Works, but there will still be times when a human input will be more valuable and useful since an electronic system can’t give you everything you need. There is still something to be said about someone with genuine knowledge and experience.

Degree Works offers many benefits, but it does not completely replace the role of an academic adviser. It is a powerful tool, but at the end of the day each student should still meet with their respective advisers to finalize any academic plans or aspirations.