MAJORS AND CAREER EXPLORATION

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MAJORS AND CAREER EXPLORATION

• Sandy Brown
• Career Services Center
• Old Main 280

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Choosing a major

• SELF ASSESSMENT
• Values-whats important to you?
• Skills and Experience
• Interests
• Personality and learning style

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Strategies for Exploring

• Narrow options
• Talk with faculty advisor in academic department
• Design schedule of classes to explore
• Visit classes
• Check out textbooks
• Talk with other students in the major

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Influences on Choosing

• Parents
• Grades
• Passions
• Time and Money

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CAREER MYTHS

• Once I decide on a career Im stuck with it
• If I had my act together I would know what I want
  to do
• My major must match a career

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Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek
6. Interpersonal Skills 7. Flexibility/Adaptabil
ity 8. Technical Skills 9. Honesty/Integrity 10.
Work Ethic (tie) 10. Analytical/Problem Solving
Skills (tie)
1. Communication Skills 2. Motivation/Initiative
3. Teamwork Skills 4. Leadership Skills 5.
Academic Achievement
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What are transferable skills?

• Skills from the variety of life
• Gained through work experience, education,
  volunteer activities, internships, hobbies and
  home life

• Transferable because they travel with you from
  job to job
• May be soft skills people/interpersonal,
• cognitive, practical

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Transferable Skills

• What are some examples?
• Working with people (leading, managing)
• Communication (oral and written)
• Research and problem solving
• Decision making
• Computer and other technical skills
• Planning events
• Managing a budget
• Selling

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Many career paths do not require a specific
major. Here are some examples

• If you want to write you might major in
  journalism, english or history
• Counseling, social services, or working with
  people, you might major in psychology, sociology,
  Communications, Human Services
• Marketing or advertising, you might major in
  psychology, communications, english or business

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Students from all majors have found their way
into many different careers

• English-Legal Assistant
• History-Executive Team Leader
• Biology-Optician
• Liberal Studies-Administrative Assistant
• Sociology-Family Service Coordinator
• General Studies-Financial Advisor
• THESE ARE WWU GRADUATES!

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Exploring Majors Careers How Career Services
can help

• Meet with a career counselor
• Take the assessments
• So, what can I do with a major in . .
• CSC resource library
• Research occupations Occupational Outlook
  Handbook ONet (on-line)
• Explore our graduate surveys
• Attend our info and career fairs