Encouraging Thoughtful Career Exploration and

Decision-MakingSamara Reynolds, Kenan-Flagler Business

School

Jade Barricelli & Emily Gomez, University Career Services

Across the Old Well Advising Conference, Fall 2015

Introductions

• Presenters

•Attendees

• Student population(s) and interest areas

• Typical career-related concerns you hear about

• Topic/Rationale for Presentation

Agenda/Intended Outcomes• Participants will become familiar with common career concerns, timelines, and questions of today’s college students

• Participants will  understand four strategies that students can use to collect career information while at UNC

• Participants will see and learn about career-related online resources that are available to them and their students

• Participants will have the opportunity to practice responding to career concerns in academic and other advising settings

Common Career Concerns & Questions

• Major to Career Connection

• Overwhelming Number of Professional Options

• Peer and Parental Expectations/Comparisons

• Compensation – internship & full-time

• Further Education Possibility or Necessity

• Decision-Making/FOMO

Suggested Strategies for Collecting Career Information

•Utilizing Online Resources for Exploration

• Engaging with Coursework & Faculty

•Conducting Informational Interviews

•Adding Experiential Opportunities

Online Resources

• Exploration:

• “What Can I Do With This Major?”

• O*NET and Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Career Insider by VAULT (login & access through careers.unc.edu)

• Self-Evaluation:

• Strong Interest Inventory Assessment (SII-Interests)

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI-Personality)

Coursework & Faculty

• EDUC 131 – Career Exploration Course

• Major, Minor, and Elective Courses to build knowledge and interest

• Office Hours – not just for homework and exam-related questions!

• Recommendation Letters & References

Informational Interviews

• Short (~20-30 min.) conversations to learn about professional paths in a less intimidating, more casual format

• Ask questions about:• Career Path, Advice

• Day-to-Day Work, Challenges & Rewards, Trends

• Referrals (people or resources)

• Family, Friends, Faculty/Staff, Alumni, Other Professionals

• LinkedIn & Alumni database

Experiential Opportunities

• Volunteering

• Shadowing/Externships

• Internships – Paid, Unpaid, For Credit

• Part-Time Jobs (School Year or Summer)• UNC’s Earn as You Learn portal

• Research

• Class and Independent Projects

• Student Organization Events & Leadership

Case Study #1Alex is a sophomore Biology major that came into UNC as a Pre-Med student, but is finding the hard science coursework less interesting and more difficult than it was in high school. They still like the idea of helping people and working in the healthcare field but really aren’t sure where to focus if not on being a medical practitioner like they’d originally planned. They come to you for guidance, since you have built a strong relationship as their academic advisor. What next steps would you suggest?

Case Study #2Jo is a rising senior who has spent most of their time and energy as a UNC student focused on balancing coursework with a position on the varsity rowing team. Now in the home stretch, but with little formal job or internship experience to speak of, Jo is anxious about life after Carolina and comes to you to talk about the potential of going to graduate school in a field similar to their undergraduate major. They would like our opinion on whether they should move forward with this plan, and if so, what are some good programs to look into?

Moving Forward• Explore these and other career resources

yourself

• Refer students to UCS or their in-department Career Services staff members for additional counseling and advice

• Recognize the link between academics, student engagement, and career development for students at UNC

• Become an intentional member of the Carolina Career Community

Questions?Thank you!• Jade Barricelli, Emily Gomez, & Samara

Reynolds

•UCS: careers.unc.edu

•Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business Program: kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/undergraduate-business/career-services