DECIDING ON A MAJOR WORKSHOP

Jennifer MendozaJennifer Mendoza

CounselorCounselor

Introductions

1. What is your name?

2. What is you current job?

3. Approximately how many college units have you completed?

4. What do you hope to gain from this workshop?

Three Questions to Ask YourselfBefore Embarking on a Career Path

What are your…What are your…

Interests Abilities/Strengths Values

Interests

Consider… Things you enjoy (work, activities, hobbies,

etc.) Environment (indoors, outdoors, combination) Courses (projects, assignments, activities) Things that do not interest you

*Do you think you would be interested in the careers/work related to the major you are considering?

Abilities/Strengths

Think About… Class and work performance Talents (i.e. helping others, influencing, solving

problems, working with numbers, using your hands, organizing, etc.)

Recognition and awards received for work and/or academics

Weaknesses

*Do you have the ability to be successful in the major you are considering?

Values

Reflect Upon… Religious, philosophical, moral, ethical

beliefs/teachings Things which are important to you (personal

service, financial security, etc.) Political stand on topics Importance of family

*What values match the requirements and outcomes of the major you are considering?

Holland’s RIASEC TheoryJohn Holland (1985) Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.) Odessa, FL.: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

Self Directed Search Based on assumption that individual can be

classified into six different groups Groups are called personality types Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social,

Enterprising, Conventional Inventory estimates how closely a person

resembles each of the types Three types = three-letter codes (RIA)

What is a Realistic person?

Guns N’ Ammo, restoring old cars, building and rebuilding

Likes outdoors, casual dress, rural living

Reliable, takes physical risks, avoid center of attention

Nature, Mechanical Activities, Military, Athletics

Associate Degree: Fire, Automotive Technology, Diesel, Welding, Machinist Technology, Police Science, Administration of Justice

Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Mechanical Engineering

What’s an Investigative person?

Sailing, chess, computers, bird watching

What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies? Many times it’s the same answer

Independent, analytical, task oriented (wrapped up in job), unconventional

Science, Mathematics, Medicine

Associate Degree: Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Library Science, Paralegal Studies, Pharmacy Technology

Bachelor Degree: Pre-Med, Chemistry, Biology, Forensics, Engineer, Pre-Law, Pre-Veterinarian, etc.

What’s an Artistic person?

Art, design, music

Likes the arts, reading and doing individual activities

Impulsive, sensitive, appreciates creative endeavors, impractical

Creative unstructured environment, theater, advertising and PR firms possibly museums and libraries, Culinary Arts, Drama, English teacher.

Associate Degree: Arts-Graphic Design Multimedia Media, Architecture, Music, Dance, Radio, Television& Film, Library Science, Fashion Design, Photography

Bachelor Degree: Art, Theater, Design, Architecture, Dance, English, Languages, Elemementary Teacher, Culinary Studies

What’s a Social person?

People magazine, volunteer service, parties, conventions.

Likes to be around people, humanistic, ideals, concerned for the welfare of others.

Personnel, mental health, schools, religious organizations, social services.

Associate Degree: Nursing, Human Services, Liberal Arts

Bachelor Degree: Sociology, Psychology, Social work, Teaching-Liberal Studies, Speech Pathology, Human Development

What is an Enterprising person?

Orange Coast, Money magazines, Sharper Image, Travel and Resorts

Likes sporting events, conventions, clubs and organizations and expensive resort vacations, politics, bus. Owner, seats of power and finance.

Ambitious, social, talkative, status, aggressive, optimistic.

Associate Degree: Business Administration, Paralegal Studies, Accounting, Real Estate/Escrow

Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications - PR

What is a Conventional person?

Home Improvement, Collecting Likes structure, chain of command, large corporations

and business environments, games with clear cut rules, civic and fraternal organizations.

Conscientious, practical, orderly, precise, accurate and careful.

Associate Degree: Business Applications, Medical Assistant, Accounting, Library Science, Pharmacy Technology, Fashion Design

Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Math Teacher

What are some of the Majors at SBVC?• Accounting• Anthropology• Architecture• Art• Biology• Business Administration• Chemistry• Child Development• Communications• Computer Science• Criminal Justice• Economics• Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil,

Computer, etc.)• English• Geography• Geology• History• Human Services• Kinesiology

• Liberal Studies• Library Science• Machinist Technology• Mathematics• Music• Nursing• Philosophy• Physics• Political Science• Psychology• Radio, Television & Film• Real Estate• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning• Restaurant Management• Religious Studies• Water Supply Engineering• Welding• Social Work• Sociology• Theatre Arts

What is Communication?

Speech, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, Rhetorical Studies (persuasion, popular and media culture, political and public affairs)

Film and Electronics Arts Journalism Advertising Public Relations

What’s available in Math and Science?

Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Engineering Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Vet. Animal Science Forensic Science Occupational Health Math

What’s in Arts and Humanities?

English & Philosophy (Pre-law) Music Art

Graphic Design Entertainment Art/Animation, Illustration,

Sculpture Art History Film Studies Dance Languages

What about the Social Sciences?

Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies History Economics Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology,

Geography Social Work and Human Services

What else?

Health Science Business Administration

Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing

Exercise Science and Kinesiology Child Development Criminal Justice Teaching – Elementary, High School, Special

Education, College/University Interdisciplinary Studies

What’s next?

1. What is the difference between a job and a career?

2. When you were growing up, what was your dream job?

3. What would you do if you could get paid to do what you loved to do?

4. If you could not get paid to do what you love, what career/job could you do to support your love?

5. If you are left alone in a bookstore, what sections/subjects do you

Other Good Assessments:

Myers Briggs Personality Tests True Colors TypeFocus The Career Key The Big Five Personality Tests knowyourtype.com

(93-question assessment online) Transfer & Career Services-Diana Rodriguez