Career Exploration Center

Successful Career Planning/Development

1. Self Exploration

The beginning of career development is taking a look at you.

• What do you like to do?
• What do you do well that demonstrates your skills and talent?
• What personal & work values are important to you?
• Is your personality more people oriented or data/ideas/things oriented?

By exploring questions like this you can get a clearer understanding of your interests, skills, values, and personality which can lead you towards a fulfilling career choice. (Link to career assessments)

2. Career Exploration

Gathering information about careers is an integral part of career development.

• Any ideas what are the fastest growing careers?
• How about the highest paid occupations?
• What are the specific duties of a career?

Getting specific job characteristics, work settings, educational requirements, projected employment outlook, and average salaries is helpful in focusing your career choice.

For more information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

3. Decision Making

Career decision making is an integration of information you discovered in Self Exploration and in Career Exploration. Some people find decision making easy (GREAT!) and some find it painfully difficult. Remember, career choice/development is not a one-time decision. It’s making the best decision for “where you are” at that point in your life. Remember, there is not one perfect match of you and a career. Look for the best fit.

4. Development of an Action Plan

You have completed steps #1,2,& 3. Congrats!!! Now, what? Pick the major that fits your career choice. Don’t forget employers are looking for academic excellence, but also people who have been active in organizations and taken leadership roles, and experienced co-op or internship experiences. The Career Exploration Center can help you with any or all of the above steps. Walk-in or make an appointment. (646-2241)