Career Exploration

Still undecided? Wondering what you can do with your current major? Not sure how college, careers and skills relate? Explore these tools for options!

What Can I Do With This Major Use this collection of information to see outlines of common career areas, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Watch intro video here.

Occupational Outlook Handbook Learn about occupations, job responsibilities, salaries and education requirements

O*Net Quick search tool for jobs data and more!

The career planning process takes time and doesn't happen overnight. Take action now with small steps to prepare you for success!

Explore: Freshman Year

• Visit the office of Career Services to schedule an appointment for assistance with your choice of major and future career plan
• Take a career assessment: Strong Interest Inventory
• Register with the Career Services online job and internship job posting system
• Meet with a faculty member to review academic concerns such as curriculum requirements and specific course selections
• Participate in campus activities and clubs to develop leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Begin to develop your resume

Discover: Sophomore Year

• Investigate internship opportunities or part-time job listings to explore career prospects and gain valuable experience
• Update your resume
• Career Services workshop and events
• Schedule an individual appointment with Career Services to discuss your Action Plan
• Research specific careers and required qualifications
• Contact an alumnus, mentor, or professional in your field of study to participate in a job shadowing experience or conduct an informational interview

Experience: Junior Year

• Update your resume and cover letter
• Schedule a "Mock Interview" to get prepared
• Attend the Career Fair
• Join career-related student professional associations
• Become familiar with the graduate school admissions process and meet with Career Services to discuss your future academic and professional goals
• Secure an internship or part-time employment in your field of interest

Engage: Senior Year

• Discuss your career plans with your academic advisor and career services
• Update your resume and cover letter
• Submit applications for graduate school and develop a back-up plan
• Develop your job search strategy and start applying 8 – 10 months before graduation
• Utilize the office of career services to search for full-time employment through our extensive job posting network
• Attend on-campus employer information sessions and career fairs
• Participate in essential workshops on topics including interviewing, job search strategies, interviewing techniques

Use this checklist to measure your progress once a semester!
 

Self-Knowledge

• I have considered what is important to me in my life and how it fits with my career plans.
• I understand the need for self-assessment because I am my own best resource in the planning process.
• I have identified my strongest abilities and skills.
• I have identified the personal values that are important as I make career decisions.
• I have identified my interests.
• I can describe my preferred work environment.
• I have thought about the type of lifestyle I want.
• I can articulate experiences and achievements that are relevant to my career interests.

Knowledge of Employers and Careers

• I have focused on my career choices and researched these fields using a variety of current career/employer information.
• I have conducted an informational interview with at least one person in the career fields I am considering.
• I have identified employers, faculty, alumni, or others to interview who are relevant to my career field.
• I have decided on a career field and have declared a major that is complementary.
• I have started to develop a list of job titles to research.
• I have developed a clear career objective that focuses my job search on particular organizations and employers.
• I have participated in internships, extracurricular activities, work, and volunteer activities that will support my career plan.

Knowledge of Job Search Strategies

• I can answer the question, "Why should I hire you?" with confidence.
• I know how to network effectively.
• I have asked individuals to serve as professional references.
• I have taken advantage of the Career Services resources.
• I have written an effective resume and cover letter and asked an advisor for feedback.
• I have developed a strong professional online presence through LinkedIn.
• I know where to search for jobs targeted to my current fields of interest.
• I have secured professional interview attire and accessories.
• I have prepared for job interviews by completing a mock interview.
• I know how to follow up after a job interview.
• I know how to evaluate a job offer.

The Career Center offers the Strong Interest Inventory. This assessment provides robust insight into a person’s interests, and can help you to consider potential careers, your educational path and the world of work. Built on psychologist John Holland’s theory, it’s backed by more than 80 years of research into how people of similar interests are employed, and what motivates individuals in the workplace. It delivers effective and powerful results that contribute to student success. Contact Career Services to discuss if a this assessment might be the right choice for you. Upon taking the assessment, the results are emailed to the Career Services office, who will then contact you to arrange an individual appointment and review these results in detail.

A $20 fee applies to the Strong Interest Inventory assessment and must be paid prior to taking the assessment. Please contact our office at [email protected] to begin the assessment process.