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.
 

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.

Two online career inventories that can help you with your career exploration are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory (descriptions are listed below). They are used by colleges, employers, and consultants all over the world. If you are interested in taking them, contact the Career Services Coordinator. Her contact information is on the Career Services home page. Also listed below are some additional career links that might assist you with your career planning:

• 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 you to identify individual preferences such as where you prefer to focus your energy, gather information, make decisions, and how you relate to the outer world. The results can help you 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 occupational themes, 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.

• California Career Planning Guide is a step by step career exploration and planning guide. It is free of cost.

• Career Zone provides self-assessment tools to explore career interests and work values. It is free and completed on-line.
• Skills Search is O*NET's OnLine Skills Search function is designed to help career seekers use their skill sets to identify occupations for exploration.
• Work Values exercise assists students with critically thinking about what they value in the the workplace.