Career Clues

Prepared byBrigitta, Kim, Molly, and Marshall

July 30, 2009

Need a Clue?

From your preferred browser, enter the address for CareerClues.Org

CareerClues.org hosts 16 short, engaging opportunities designed to help students gather and interpret important information about themselves and what they want from their lives. Filled with tools, strategies, and practical suggestions and punctuated with motivating video clips, Career Clues calls on students to explore meaningful career options. Each Clue prompts students to take the next action step as they seek “how to” answers about finding their career direction, identifying their college major, developing meaningful work experiences, and landing a really cool jobs.

www.careerclues.org/about.html

CareerClues.OrgThe sixteen opportunities are grouped in four sections so you may start where

you have the most need.

Searching for Direction???

“The secret to success is to become more of what you already are.” –Marcus Buckingham

#1: Find Your Strengths

* What activities and skills have you

learned naturally? * What activities and

skills do enjoy?* What areas do peers

compliment you in?

#2: Identify What MattersKnowing what your values are will help guide you to a

career you will love. * Personal values

* Work valuesValues may be the most important when choosing a career.

What do YOU value most?????

*Achievement *Friendship *Leadership *Status *Creativity *Helping society

*Growth *Challenging problems *Fame*Ethical practice *Influencing others*Pleasure *Working under pressure

*Security *Close relations *Merit

#3: Explore Career Possibilities

“Do what you love and the money will follow”

Define your future “Good Life”

* Describe where you would like to be living ten years from now.

* Describe the type of people you want to surround yourself with. * Name two or three jobs you

think you would like.

If you are not sure what you are interested in, take the Hollands Code Quiz

John Holland made it his life's work to look at people and work environments and come up with a

classification system that described 1) individual differences and similarities, and 2) a classification of

work environments to describe and explain differences and similarities among positions and occupations.

#4: Create a Plan!!!

What steps do you need to take next to reach your career goal?

First, your goal must be SMART:

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and

Timely

Next, write down your goals and follow these

SEVEN STEPS to achieve them!

Searching for a College Major?

#1: Create a Personal Profile

Click on “…print lesson guide” to download and print a form to record your preferences for when you meet with a counselor.

CareerClues will help you identify a field of study that you enjoy and interests you. The first step is to get in touch with your values and interests, as well as your unique strengths and talents. If you skipped “Searching for Direction,” CareerClues provides two other ways to gather your thoughts:

Click on MissingMajor.com to use a fun, interactive guide to create your own profile that you can print and take to a counselor.

MissingMajor.Com: Online Profile

To start your profile online, click on the pad labeled “Profile”.

#2: Visit Your Career Center

Sierra College’s Career Connections has centers at the Rocklin Campus and Nevada County Campus.

Career Clues provides ideas to help you get the most out of your time at the center:

• Be ready to share your Personal Profile from MissingMajor.Com and additional clues you have gathered about yourself in the Searching for Direction activities.

• Inquire about Career Assessments. There are hundreds of career assessments and you can complete many of the career self-assessments in this Career Clues series. If you believe you need or want additional career or personality testing, ask for help at your career center as to where and how to get these assessments.

• Get a list of the names and dates of career workshops, seminars, and career fairs.

#3: Meet with a Counselor

New Students and Transfers:• For more information on

academic counseling for new students and transfers go to www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/counseling/academic.html

Continuing and Former Students:

Appointments with career counselors are available through a referral from the academic counselors. Several options are available for continuing students to schedule an appointment with a counselor:• Online appointments can be made at

www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/counseling/login.html or by calling (916) 660-7400 for Rocklin, or (530) 274-5303 for Nevada County Campus.

• Questions may be submitted to a counselor online at www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/counseling/online.html

#4: Take Action!

Learn a new skill, pursue a hobby, or volunteer in your community. If you are interested in politics, work as a volunteer for a candidate you admire. If you have always wanted to play golf, sign up for a class at your community college. Stay open and willing to take advantage of unplanned events.

Searching for Experience... at CareerClues.org

#1: Ask the Experts

• A short (30 minutes or less) conversation to find out about a position or field that interests you

• Get answers to specific questions• Helps you build your professional

network

One of the best ways to learn about a job is to ask someone who is doing it by conducting an INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW.

Interviewing Examples

• Watch: Road Trip Nation– People from all walks of

life who have traveled across continents to learn from those who have found purpose and meaning in their jobs and their lives.

– They are searching for answers just like YOU!

• U.C. Berkeley: Career Center– How to find someone

who works in the field that interests you

– How to initiate contact– How to prepare for and

conduct the interview– How to follow up in a

professional manner

Great Interviewers:

• Come prepared• Actively listen• Ask open-ended questions

#2: Visit the Workplace

• Take a tour of a place of business in the field that interests you.

• Set up a tour of a business in your town or neighborhood:– How would you set up such a tour?– Think of 5 questions you could ask of the

people who work there.– How would a tour benefit you?– How would it benefit the company?

#3: Get Internships

FACT! Employers often hire their interns once they’ve graduated.

• An internship gives you valuable experience—it bridges the gap between college class work and getting the job.

• A way to find out your strengths, improve communication skills, gain self-confidence.

• Another way to build your professional network.

Internships are available in almost every field.

How do I find an internship?

• Start with your personal contacts• Visit college or university career centers• Call the Human Resources department of

a company you’d like to work for and tell them you’d like to do an internship

• Check a company’s Employment/Jobs web pages for internship openings

• Get creative!

Internship Resources• GrooveJob.com– Tips on colleges, majors, resume preparation,

interviewing, internships, part-time jobs, job shadowing, and career planning

• U.C. Berkeley Job and Internship Guide– Tips for finding an internship or developing/

customizing your own.

#4: Volunteer in Your Community

Almost like an internship, volunteering helps you learn new skills and gain valuable experience.

• Improve leadership and interpersonal skills

• Learn about community concerns

• Help others• Gain personal satisfaction• Set a positive example

Volunteering Resources

• VolunteerMatch.org– Enter your ZIP code and

a keyword, and find opportunities in your area

– Also find opportunities by organization, or specific ally by disaster relief

• Idealist.org– Find thousands of

volunteer, internship, and job openings worldwide

Searching for a job?

#1: Search Jobs

Remember: “Make personal and online connections as you conduct your job search”

Write a job search goal: Name of the job title, deadline for finding the job, how much money you expect to earnResearch companies: Read about companies that interest you online, in magazines, anywhere you can.Online job search guidance: There are a lot of online search engines, but make sure you learn more about them before sending your personal information!

#2: Resume helpRemember: “The more you know

about the employer and the position, the more you can tailor your resume

to fit the job.”

Resume basics: Different

websites will help you

prepare an effective resume.

Resume quiz: Are you sure

you understand the in’s and

out’s of writing a resume? Take the quiz here!

#3: Practice Interviewing

Remember: “The job interview is the single most

important part of getting a job.”

• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

- Be able to fully explain the contents of

your resume.

- Research the company before the

interview.

• Watch the “job seekers” and see what

mistakes are typically made .

• After the interview send a short and

personal thank you note.

#4: Build your support network

Remember: “For every person who finds a position through Monster or Jobster, at least 10 more find theirs through the people they know.”

• Why networking works: Gets You in Front of People, People Really Want to Help, It’s Self-Perpetuating, Gain Information about Yourself, Leaves a Lasting Impression

• Make a networking introduction: Who are you and how are you connected? What do you want? What is your background?

• Your networking report card: Are you good at networking? Take the quiz and see how you perform!

In conclusion...