Major Exploration
Did you know that typically, over 80% of all college students will change their mind about their major? And that's okay. But how do you know where to start when choosing a major and a career?
Question 1: Who Am I?
What Are Your Interests?
You already know many of your interests through past experiences such as past employment, classes and leisure activities. However, many students discover new interests during college through new academic experiences, as well as outside activities and employment opportunities. Many students find that interest inventories are helpful to sort out possible interests. The Career Development Center (CDC) offers a variety of help in this area. Listed below are some ways to help identify your interests.
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Visit the DUS Navigator or the Career Toolbox for a few of the inventories available to you to start getting an idea of what you like and dislike.
Remember, these results will not give you a definite answer. It is best to discuss your results with a career counselor and/or your academic adviser.
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Make an appointment with one of the career counselors in the CDC. For many people, a one-on-one appointment is the best way to identify interests.
- What Are Your Abilities?
- What are you really good at doing? It is best to choose a college major in which you truly excel in order to present future employers with the best academic record possible. One of the best indicators of future success in a career field are the grades that you receive in the related academic courses. A counseling session with your advisor as well as a counselor in the Career Development Center can help to focus on what abilities are the ones on which you may which to focus on.
What Are Your Values?- Many people forget to spend time identifying their values in relations to their career decision. What is really important to you? Do you want financial security, lots of leisure time, or do you have a need to help others? An individual career counseling appointment with a CDC staff member is also very helpful.
Question 2: What Are the Possibilities?
Did you know that there are approximately 20,000 job titles in our society? Many people choose career paths based on very limited knowledge regarding just a few of the career opportunities available to them. There are many ways to learn more about possible careers. Listed below are a few suggestions:
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Visit the CDC's Resource Library (located in Reed 1, along with the DUS Office). The CDC has a large supply of books that include some of the latest publications on many careers.
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Talk to a Penn State graduate who is currently working in a career that interests you. You can register with Lionlink, a service of the Penn State Alumni Society.
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Use the many Web sites available to career searches located on the Internet. Here are some of our recommendations, but there many others!
- Career InfoNet -- Ninety-second video clips of occupations!
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Vault.com
Berkeley Career Exploration Links
Job Profiles
JobWeb
- Career InfoNet -- Ninety-second video clips of occupations!
Question 3: What Decisions Do I Need to Make?
For many students, the first career decision is made when the decision to seek additional education beyond high school is made. Other decisions that students make at Penn State are:
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What college to enroll in (freshmen year)
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What major to declare (usually sophomore year)
- What can I do with my major? (freshmen through senior year)
The following links offer some excellent information to assist with this decision:
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How will I ensure that I am marketable to employers? (freshmen through junior year)
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Will I need additional graduate education to pursue my career path? (usually sophomore or junior year)
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What employers and industries will I focus my job search on? (junior and senior year)
While decision-making comes easily to some, others find the process very difficult. A counseling session with a counselor in the CDC as well as a discussion with you advisor is recommended.
Career Planning: What Should I Be Doing?
BEFORE YOU GET HERE:
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Come to FTCAP!!
The First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program is a day-long event held in June and July. You MUST attend one of these days to get a schedule for the Fall and to learn valuable information about starting your academic career at Penn State.
(Semesters 1-4)
- Make an appointment with our Career Development Center or with your DUS adviser for an interest inventory and majors/career discussion.
- Research careers by using CDC Web Site and career lending library.
- Use Lion Link to discuss careers with Penn State graduates.
- Shadow people in careers of interest to you.
- Attend Alumni Career Panels.
GAIN EXPERIENCE
(Semesters 3-8)
- Begin resume and discuss getting relevant experience with CDC staff.
- Assume leadership roles within your clubs and organizations.
- Check with the CDC to investigate/complete internships and part-time jobs relevant to major.
- Conduct informational interviews with alumni/potential employers.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
PREPARE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD (Semesters 6-8)
- Discuss job/graduate school search with faculty/CDC staff.
- Attend resume, job search, and other relevant CDC programs.
- Have your resume reviewed by the CDC staff.
- Complete a mock interview.
- Use web-based recruiting system to apply for on-campus interviews with employers.
- Attend job, career, and graduate school fairs.
- Check CDC internship and full-time job postings.
- Apply to graduate schools, if appropriate.
- Inform CDC when offered job and/or graduate school admission.