Career management is a lifelong process. It requires constant planning and goal-setting, and the ability to be flexible and open to new learning experiences. In other words, we manage our careers by planning for them and being ready to re-plan.

In selecting a major, there are several things to consider in order to be content with your choice(s). Researching, reflection, and responding are three critical components to generate the understanding about what's most appropriate for you. If you are at the beginning of your career exploration, we encourage you to start your career research with "Self-Awareness" activities. It's part of a six-step career planning process which includes: self-awareness, career awareness, information integration, marketing strategies, workplace success, and balanced lifestyle. To begin, review the information below and/or schedule an appointment with the Career Services Coordinator.

Also, you may want to take a look at a suggested 4-year plan for some ideas that can help you with carving out your career path while you are in school.

SELF-AWARENESS

This step in career planning involves developing an awareness and gathering information about yourself to make a career decision that feels right for you. To do this, it's important to develop a thorough understanding of your interests, skills, work, personal and cultural values, personality, life experiences, work environment and leisure preferences, energy level and degree of self-confidence. Your understanding will most likely help you to learn why you are drawn to some fields more than others.

Also, taking the time to examine every one of these component parts of yourself will help you to set priorities and make informed decisions. Many students want to rush this part of their career planning. Not wise. This is the foundation for your career decision-making and it shouldn't be hurried. It will take patience and caring to arrive at a satisfying career decision. And, it is YOUR decision. You get to live with it. So be thoughtful, open, honest, realistic and creative, and go for what will ultimately make you happy. Your thorough research will pay off with positive results so that you can successfully implement your career plan and enjoy waking up in the morning to go to work.

In career planning, many career searchers use career inventories to launch their career exploration. Career inventories are not judgmental-telling you if you are right or wrong, good or bad, smart or not. Career inventories help you to sort through and prioritize what is important to you so you can narrow down career possibilities. They will not tell you what you should do, but rather assist you with a direction.

Three inventories that can help you to explore your unique qualities are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Strong Interest Inventory, and the Career Values Report, used by colleges, employers, and consultants all over the world. If you are interested in taking them, talk to the Career Services Coordinator (descriptions are listed below). In addition, there are some additional links that might help get you started with this part of the career planning process:

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a career inventory used by consultants, educational institutions, and small and large businesses all over the world and has been researched and used for over 60 years. It helps identify individual preferences and strengths, such as where a person prefers to focus their energy, gather information, make decisions, and lifestyle preferences. The results help students to apply the information to occupations and work environments. You will receive a computer-generated report and suggestions for occupations to explore. The MBTI is taken online and interpreted in person.

• Strong Interest Inventory Profile with College Profile is a career inventory that measures interests, not skills or abilities and can help guide you with careers, work activities, educational programs, and leisure activities. You will receive a computer-generated report that will suggest occupations, academic majors, and student activities to explore. The Strong has been researched and used for nearly 80 years with all types of organizations worldwide. The Strong is taken online and interpreted in person.

• Career Values Report is a tool that helps you to prioritize your work-related values. Fifty-four variables of work satisfaction such as precision work, power, technical competence, public contacts, etc. are listed and described. The report includes an overview of values, the role of values in career decision-making, and supplementary activities for further clarification of career values. This report is taken online and interpreted in person.

• Career Development eManual is an on-line college created step by step career planning assessment. It is free of cost.

• California Career Planning Guide is a step by step career planning assessment. It is free of cost and was developed by career educators throughout the state and Canada.

• Career Zone provides self-assessment tools to explore career interests and work values. It is free and completed on-line.
• National Assoication for Self-Esteem provides information on self-esteem education.