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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Choosing and Exploring a Career: Know Yourself First

The Career Management Cycle | Starting Self Assessment

"What are you going to do after graduation?" Many students wish they had $100 for every time they are asked this question! Yet, how many students actually ask themselves this question and when do they begin to ponder their possibilities? For some, not soon enough. And how many really have a grasp of all the activities beyond their academic work that contribute to an ultimately successful launch of a career? Not that many. Why? Preparing to transition to a career is a new adventure requiring decision making for which life to-date may have provided little by way of similar life situations.

The answer to the question above lies in a learning process whose foundation components are self asessment, i.e. knowing one's skills, potentials, interests, temperament, expectations from work, and personal priorities, and work world assessment, i.e. learning just what career fields are all about through reading, speaking with professionals and gaining experience. Add to this foundation a sense of how selection processes for employment and further study are actually conducted, and the ability to set and execute realistic strategies to attain results, and students will have a framework for lifelong career management. The cycle resembles this:

STARTING SELF ASSESSMENT

Self Help Resources. The Center maintains some print resources such as What Color is Your Parachute that address self assessment. Checklists included in The Career Guide, a publication available free of charge, can also start people to thinking about their skills, interests, and temperament. It is best, however, to seek staff assistance.

Staff Assistance. One of the principal roles of the Center's career consultants is to discuss and facilitate self assessment. Appointments are recommended and may be arranged by calling 443-3616, or by visiting the Center. The consultants have at their disposal a number of career assessment instruments and will evaluate which may meet a student's need during a personal consultation. The assessment process generally requires a number of meetings and provides a good foundation for initial career information gathering, choosing or changing majors, and evaluating options for those with backgrounds applicable in many settings.