Career Planning

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Career Planning

• I dont know what I want to do at MSU
• ...because of our unique human endowments, we can
  write new programs for ourselves totally apart
  from our instincts and training. Stephen Covey
•  

Created by Linda Leech, Academic Advisor MSU,
Mankato Student Support Services. October 2005
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Career Planning is WORK

• Today is a work day!

Most people just need more information to make a
solid decision
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How do I make such a big decision?

• 1. Evaluate your interests, values, abilities and
  experiences.
• 2. Gather information on interesting careers
• 3. Explore college majors
• 4. Make a decision
• 5. Create a plan of action

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How do I evaluate my interests

• Do a self assessment well do this in a minute
• Take an interest assessment like the Strong
  Interest Inventory
• Take a personality assessment like the Myers
  Briggs
• Take a combination test (interest, values,
  experiences and abilities) like Discover

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What do you like?

• Brainstorm here just keep writing
• What did I want to be when I grew up? (list all
  jobs, no matter how crazy they are to you now.)
• What classes did I enjoy in high school, or
  enjoying here at college?
• What activities are you involved in?
• What have people said that youre good at? 
• What do you think are your God given talents? 
• What are your hobbies?
• What are you passionate about?

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Career Exploration

• Besides your interests, your values will make a
  huge impact in whether or not you enjoy a job.
  Ask yourself whats important to me?
• Do you want to make an substantial income vs an
  average income?
• Do you want to work inside or outside?
• I want to live in Minnesota

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What do I need to find out?

• 1. How much education is required? High School
  grad, some education after High School, 2 yr or 4
  yr degree, Graduate degree
• 2. What type of major do you need for this
  career?
• 3. Does MSU offer this major?
• 4. Is the average starting pay top 10
  36-50,000, top 25 30-40,000, top 50
  23-29,000, top 75 18-23,000 year?
• 5. Will I be in an office, outside or a
  combination?
• 6. Will I travel constantly, occasionally,
  rarely?
• 7. Will I have public contact, work just with
  co-workers, or work independently?
• 8. Will I have a 40 hour/week job, possibly
  part-time, possibly seasonal position, temporary,
  shift work?
• 9. I want to live ____________________________
• do they have jobs in that location?

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Major Exploration

• Interview professors and advisors
• What are recent graduates doing?
• Is my career goal in line with this major?
• Are graduates getting employed?
• Is the field growing or shrinking?
• Is there employment opportunities in the area I
  plan to live?
• What kind of income are graduates making?

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Does MSU have your major?

• A H
• Accounting
• Anthropology
• Art
• Astronomy
• Athletic Training
• Automotive Engineering Technology
• Aviation
• Biology
• Business Education
• Business Law
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Clinical Field Experience
• Communication Disorders
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Construction Management
• Corrections
• Counseling and Student Personnel

Educational Leadership Educational Studies
Elementary Early Childhood Educational
Studies K-12 Secondary Programs Educational
Technology Electronic and Computer Engineering
Technology English English as a Second Language
Environmental Sciences Ethnic Studies
Experiential Education Family Consumer Science
Finance French Geography Geology German
Gerontology Greek Health Science History
Honors Human Performance Humanities
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MSU Majors
I W Interior Design and Construction
Management International Business International
Relations Japanese Latin Law Enforcement
Library Media Education Management
Manufacturing Engineering Technology Marketing
Mass Communications Mathematics MBA
Mechanical Engineering Military Science Modern
Languages Music Norwegian Nursing Open
Studies Philosophy

• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Russian
• Scandinavian Studies
• Social Studies
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Special Populations
• Speech Communication
• Statistics
• Swedish
• Teacher Licensure
• Theatre Dance
• Urban and Regional Studies
• Women's Studies

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How do I decide?

• Do I have all the information I need?
• Have I asked all the key people in my life for
  their feedback?
• Pros and Cons list
• If I could give you a job, which one would you
  choose?

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Planning your journey

• Think about your reason for wanting a college
  education. What goal did you have in mind?
• 2. Were going to do a story board - a plan
  that uses rough drawings to show action changes
  in a film, cartoon or TV show. The storyboarding
  tool is a plan that shows the specific steps
  needed to achieve your goals. It helps you
  answer the question, What should I do first,
  second, third, and so forth to get closer to my
  goal? Show them an example of a storyboard, if
  possible. (See Resources below for examples)
• 3. Youre going to now create your own
  storyboard. Use words and pictures. Label each
  step in bold letters. Be ready to share it with
  your classmates. With your own action plan in
  hand, youll be on your way to success in college

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Additional Resources

• Career Development Center (C.D.C.)
• First Year Experience Office
• Books and printed information-MN Careers
• Online
• www.iseek.org
• http//www.bls.gov/oco
• http//webapps01.act.org/eDISCOVER get token from
  the C.D.C.