CAREER PLANNING 101

Major Career

• Where do you want begin?

• Research What can I do with a Major in…?http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/CareerHandouts.htmlhttp://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/http://www.udel.edu/CSC/mrk.htmlhttp://www.k-state.edu/acic/majorin/

Evaluate YOU

• Interests• Personality traits & Strengths• Values• Skills

External InfluencesFamilyCultureSpouse/DependentsBarriers

Career Counseling can Help!

DISCOVERMajors and Careers for your Type

• Realistic• Investigative• Artistic• Social• Enterprising• Conventional

Research

To Learn More about College Majors…

• Review the college catalog degree programs and the course descriptions at the end of the catalog.

• View academic department web pages.• Attend Department Information Sessions.• Register for an elective course in an area you are

interested in.• Check out Major-Career Converters Online!

Don’t Believe the HypeTo Explore Careers…Get the Facts about:

1) The nature of the work/typical job duties2) Skills and Personality Traits for job success3) Demand or Job outlook; Labor Market Information4) Potential for advancement & growth/Career ladder5) Salary ranges6) Education/Training Required

(Vocational/Technical Training/Associate’s Degree, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate?)

Helpful Research Toolshttp://online.onetcenter.org/find/

http://wnjpin1.dol.state.nj.us/wnjpin_ru/html/c_top.htm[Search by keyword, job title, industry name]

MAKE CONNECTIONS• Talk with Faculty and other students about their degree programs.•Network with alumni and others working in occupations that interest you (by attending Career Information Seminars or doing informational interviews with friends, family, relatives, etc.)•Join a student club or professional association that relates to your major and/or field of interest.

Get Experience & Test Drive a Career

• Volunteer or participate in a Service Learning course• Take part in an Internship• Get a part-time job• Take advantage of a research opportunity with a faculty member.• Join a student organization and assume a role that has some

responsibility.

Evaluate & Make Decisions

• Pros and Cons of Career Options

• Narrow Down to “Best Fits” Occupations List-Interests

-Skills-Lifestyle Needs

-Values

• Confirm your decision with someone you trust.

Action Steps

SET SMART GOALS

• Specific & Simple• Measurable• Achievable• Realistic• Timely

Consider Obstacles/Challenges to Reaching Career Goals

My Career Action Plan

• Career Goal• Purpose of this goal• Action Steps• Timeline

(Start date, end date?)• Obstacles/Challenges• Resources Available?

Schedule Career Check-up Appointment

Cornerstones of Career Management

• Know Yourself and Believe in Yourself• Focus on the journey, not the destination-Become

a good traveler.• You’re not alone. Access your allies, and be a

good ally.• Change is constant and brings with it new

opportunities.• Learning is life-long. And so is career

development.