Major_Career Exploration_Bess Moodie

Major and Career Exploration AAC Arrive 2014

Why discuss major and career?

Major ≠ Career

Decision Making: Knowing and DoingKnowing Doing

0Self0 Values0 Interests0 Skills

0Options0 Majors0 Occupations0 Jobs

0Understand0Explore0Evaluate0Act

0 Implementation0Reflect

0 How did you make the right choice?

Self-Exploration Activity

Know Thyself…

0Values: Guiding principles that reflect what is most important to you in life

0 Interests: Topics you enjoy reading about and activities that leave you energized

0Skills: Activities you do well, either learned (playing tennis) or innate (balance)

Ranking Values, Interests, and Skills

Know Your Options

• http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/

Exploration Resources

• http://www.undeclared.casa.colostate.edu/exploring-majors.aspx - CASA Exploring Majors

• http://csu.mymajors.com/quiz/ - CSU College Majors quiz

• www.onetonline.org – O*Net occupation database• www.career.colostate.edu – CSU Career Center• Catalog.colostate.edu – CSU Curriculum Catalog• http://admissions.colostate.edu/academics/majors-co

ncentrations-and-minors/- CSU list of all majors, concentrations and minors

Other Factors to Consider

1. Ideal work environment characteristics2. Work/life balance3. Career interests vs. personal interests4. Minor/certificate options5. Practical/extracurricular involvement

opportunities6. Post-grad options (certifications)7. Major ≠ career

Next Steps0Continue to do research0Take the Strong Interest Inventory0Meet with advisors

0 CASA, AAC, Career Center, Academic Departments0Talk to important people in your life about your decision0Gather information through practical experiences

(informational interviewing, volunteering, job shadowing, etc.)

0Look at your graduation plan in Ramweb0Attend Career Center workshops and events

Thank you for attending!

Workshop material adapted from the Advising First Center for Exploratory Students and The

Career Center, Florida State University