Major & Career Exploration and Confirmation - Finding the Perfect Major for You!

Transcription

1 Major & Career Exploration and Confirmation - Finding the Perfect Major for You! Christy Huynh Jacqueline Wallace Mark Taitt, GA christy.huynh@oswego.edu jacqueline.wallace@oswego.edu taittjr@oswego.edu Major & Career Exploration at the Compass 145 Campus Center, SUNY Oswego,

2 Major Exploration Plan Name ID Current Major(s)/Minor(s) Local Mailing Address Advisor *Note to advisor: please connect with the above student to review their progress. What being undeclared means to me (Check all that apply to you) FEAST OR FAMINE I do not have enough information about the majors that are available I do not have enough information about possible career fields to which majors may lead I am not sure about my ability to succeed in the coursework for certain majors I have SO many interests that I cannot narrow down my options I do not have a strong interest in anything, so I am not sure what to explore I am not sure of my values, so I do not know what is important to me in a major/career area I am afraid to choose a major because it might be the wrong decision I am not sure what jobs will be available to me if I graduate with a certain major I have difficulty making decisions in general Other people have suggested majors but I am not sure they are good for me SUNY Oswego does not have the major that I want Other Major & Career Exploration- Where are you at in the process? Self Awareness (Who am I?) Skills, Values, Interests, Values, Abilities, Strengths Exploring Majors - Knowing my Academic Options (What majors and minors am I interested in?) My Goals for Exploring and Confirming Major(s)/Career(s) Exploring Careers - Knowing my Career Options 2 (What careers are related to the majors I am exploring?)

3 Major/Minor Strategies/Resources (Check all that apply) o Research the Major- Dissect a Major, Connect w/ Dept. Faculty, etc. o Connect w/ Professional- Job Shadow, Informational Interview, A.S.K. o Get Experience- Service Learning (GST 302), Internship, Volunteer, etc. o Candid Career- Review Informational Interview Videos o Use Web Resources- What to do with a major in, O*Net, My Next Move, etc. o Self-Assessment- MBTI, SII, StrengthsQuest, and/or Focus2 o Enroll in General Education or Major-based course(s) o Complete Major Exploration Course- GST 103 o Complete Career Exploration Course- GST 303/GST 498 o Enroll in a Compass MyPlan o Other o Research the Major- Dissect a Major, Connect w/ Dept. Faculty, etc. o Connect w/ Professional- Job Shadow, Informational Interview, A.S.K. o Get Experience- Service Learning (GST 302), Internship, Volunteer, etc. o Candid Career- Review Informational Interview Videos o Use Web Resources- What to do with a major in, O*Net, My Next Move, etc. o Self-Assessment- MBTI, SII, StrengthsQuest, and/or Focus2 o Enroll in General Education or Major-based course(s) o Complete Major Exploration Course- GST 103 o Complete Career Exploration Course- GST 303/GST 498 o Enroll in a Compass MyPlan Other o Research the Major- Dissect a Major, Connect w/ Dept. Faculty, etc. o Connect w/ Professional- Job Shadow, Informational Interview, A.S.K. o Get Experience- Service Learning (GST 302), Internship, Volunteer, etc. o Candid Career- Review Informational Interview Videos o Use Web Resources- What to do with a major in, O*Net, My Next Move, etc. o Self-Assessment- MBTI, SII, StrengthsQuest, and/or Focus2 o Enroll in General Education or Major-based course(s) o Complete Major Exploration Course- GST 103 o Complete Career Exploration Course- GST 303/GST 498 o Enroll in a Compass MyPlan o Other Semester/ Date to be completed My goal is to declare/confirm a major or second major/minor(s) by Registration for spring classes is in mid-november. Registration for fall classes is in late April. Discuss your goals and progress with your academic advisor, professors, Compass staff, and your friends and family. This is important and will help you stay on track throughout the process of exploring and confirming a major and possible career(s). 3

4 School of Education Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) SAE Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) - SAE Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, German, Mathematics, Physics, Spanish & Social Studies Wellness Management - ECS TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) - SAI SUNY Oswego Majors Technology Education - SR Technology Management - ECI Agricultural Education - R Business and Marketing Education - SEI Vocational Education in Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health Careers, Technical, and Trades School of Business Business Administration - ESC Finance - ESC Human Resource Management - ES Risk Management and Insurance Major - CEI Management Accounting CRS College of Liberal Arts and Sciences American Studies - AIS Anthropology - IAR Applied Mathematical Economics IRE/ISA Applied Mathematics - IRE Biochemistry - ICE Biology - ISR Chemistry IRE Cinema and Screen Studies EA/AI - Cognitive Science - SIE Computer Science - I Creative Writing - AI Economics - ISA English - AI French - AS Geochemistry RI/IRE Geology - RI German - AS Global & International Studies - ES History - SEI Operations Management/Information Sys.-IC Marketing ESA Public Accounting CRS **Public Accounting - CRS Human Development - SI Information Science - IRC Language and International Trade IRA/SAI Linguistics - AIS Mathematics - IRE Meteorology - RI Philosophy - AIS Philosophy-Psychology AIS/SIE Physics - IRE Political Science - SEI Psychology SIE **Psych/Bus. Admin. SIE/CEI **Psych/Human Comp. Inter. SIE/SR Public Justice - SEI Sociology - ISA Software Engineering - ICR Spanish - SA Women s Studies - ISA Zoology - IR School of Communication, Media, and the Arts Art (Studio) - AIS Journalism AEI Art (Graphic Design) AIS Music AIS Broad./Mass Comm. AE Public Relations - EAS Communication - ESA Theatre AS 4 **Note: These majors are a combination of both undergraduate and graduate programs. **Letters represent Holland Codes

5 School of Education **Athletic Coaching SI **Expressive Arts Therapy - SA **Health Science - SE SUNY Oswego Minors School of Business **Arts Management - ASE Business Administration - SEI **International Business - ES College of Liberal Arts and Sciences *African/African-American Studies - AIS Anthropology - IAR *Applied Statistics - I *Astronomy - IAR *Biocultural Anthropology IA Biology - ISR Chemistry - IRE Cognitive Science - SIE Computer Science - IR *Computer Information Systems ECI/ICR Creative Writing - AI Economics - ISA English - AI *Expressive Arts Therapy - SA *Forensic Science - IRC French - AS *French Culture Studies - SAI Geology - RI German - AS *German Culture Studies SAI *Gerontology - SIE Global & International Studies ES History SEI Human Development *Italian Culture Studies - SAI Linguistics - AIS Mathematics - IRE *Medieval and Renaissance Studies SEI *Native American Studies - SEI *Peace and Conflict Studies - SEI Philosophy - AIS Physics - IRE Photography Political Science - SEI Psychology - SIE *Public Administration/Policy - SEI Public Justice - SEI Sociology ISA Spanish SA *Sustainability- RI Women s Studies - ISA Zoology - IR School of Communication, Media, and the Arts Art AIS Art History AIS *Arts Management ASE *Audio Design and Production RAI Communication and Social Interaction ESA *Expressive Art Therapy SA Journalism AEI Other Academic Options: Pre- Professional Programs *Medieval Renaissance Studies *Museum Studies - RA Music - AIS *Peace and Conflict Studies - SEC *Photography Theatre Women s Studies - SIE *Minors for which we do not offer a Major 5

6 Pre-medical studies- and Pre-law studies- (No official major - advisors available on campus to provide recommendations and application procedures). Major and Minor Elimination Directions: Using the pages 2 and 3 of majors and minors, take a moment and cross out the ones that you are certain you have no interest in. Next, circle the majors that you see as possibilities or if you would like to learn more about. List the majors/minors you circled as possibilities here: Now categorize the majors/minors in 2-3 groups that make sense to you: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 6

7 Dissecting a Major Worksheet Directions: Choose one of the majors from page 4 and fill in the below information using the SUNY Oswego College Catalog. Available online: Major: Summary of the Major Description: Rate each course utilizing the following scale: Extremely Neither Extremely Draining Draining/Energizing Energizing Course Ranking Comments Homework: Print off additional Dissect a Major Forms and complete for your other top major choices: (Exploring Majors -> Major Exploration Activities) 7

8 Weighing Your Options If you are trying to choose between just a few majors, you can use these charts to help you outline the pros and cons of each one. Major: Major: Pros Cons Pros Cons Major: Major: Pros Cons Pros Cons 8

9 Strategies for Exploring and Confirming Majors Enroll in GST 103 Exploring Your Strengths A one-credit quarter course offered to help you find and develop your strengths in academics, career and beyond. As part of this course you will complete a variety of personality assessments that will help you learn more about your strengths, abilities and values. You will also research majors and careers that fit your personality, values and interests. Learn more about my Interests, Values, Abilities, and Strengths through Inventories and Assessments o Focus2 A career and education planning tool that includes assessments and a customizable online portfolio. o StrengthsQuest StrengthsFinder is an online assessment that identifies your top 5 Themes of Talent. o MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) A personality assessment that identifies your preferences as it related to who you are and why you want to work; including the best work environments and career tasks. o Strong Interest Inventory An interest inventory that matches your interests with career fields. o Compass MyPlan- Compresssive plan available through the Compass that will connect you to any resource/opportunity that will guarantee you success at Oswego and beyond! Investigate all majors and minors that SUNY Oswego offers Review the Undergraduate Catalog and departmental websites for majors/minors of interest. Get an understanding for course work and degree requirements for different majors. Complete these activities to narrow your search: o Major-elimination activity find out what majors interest you the most. o Dissect a Major activity helps to identify if a potential major is truly a good fit. o Online: under Exploring Majors -> Major Exploration Activities. Take a course in a major or minor of interest Many majors offer introductory courses. Many of these courses fulfill general education requirements and can be taken to explore majors. Job Shadow/Informational Interview Spend a day with a professional in the field or interview a professor about their discipline. This is a great way to learn firsthand about a career fields or majors. Sophomores may utilize the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (A.S.K.) program to connect with alumni in their career field of interest. To learn more visit Other networking opportunities include: o Talk to an upper-class student their major or connect with the expert faculty/staff in that department. o Utilize the Informational Interviewing handout o Check out Candid Career Informational Career Videos online! o A.S.K. Program: Service Learning or Volunteering Volunteer in the community either independently or through a Service Learning, GST302. Choose a site related to a field or major of interest to acquire skills and knowledge of real world settings. To learn more visit Career Awareness (GST303) or Internship (GST498) Gain insight about a major or career field that interests you. Visit Experience-Based Education in the Compass, 145 Campus Center for more information about internships. Learn more about careers that are related to the majors you are exploring- all available at the Compass, 145CC Strong Interest Inventory An interest inventory that matches your interests with career fields Focus2 search career fields related to your interests, skills and values. Websites with comprehensive information about careers: o O*Net o Bureau of Labor Statistics - o Major and Career Exploration website 9

10 Assessments and Inventory Descriptions The Compass offers a variety of assessments that provide you with information about your strengths, values, interests and skills. If you are interested in completing an assessment, visit the Compass Resource Center in 145 Campus Center. StrengthsQuest StrengthsFinder is an online assessment that identifies your top 5 Themes of Talent. StrengthsQuest allows you to explore and strengthen your talents, use your strengths to improve your academics, discover a major and career path that builds off of your strengths and learn to use your strengths to excel. If you are interested in StrengthsQuest visit the Compass, 145 Campus Center for more information. MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) MBTI identifies your preferences and provides information about your unique type (there are 16 distinct types). Understanding your personality type/preferences is the foundation of major exploration and this is a great tool for helping you to understanding who you are and what majors would be a good fit for you. The MBTI gives you information about how you orient in the world, take in information, make decisions and structure your life. If you are interested in taking the MBTI visit the Compass, 145 Campus Center for more information. Strong Interest Inventory The Strong Interest Inventory is a tool that matches your interests with majors and career fields. It helps you identify your interests, preferences, and personal styles and provides information you need to select a major and career you can be passionate about. If you are interested in taking the Strong Interest Inventory visit the Compass, 145 Campus Center for more information. Focus2 Focus2 is a web-based program that includes five online self assessments (work, interest, personality, skills, values, and leisure interests), a career portfolio and information about careers. For a free user ID visit the Compass Resource Center, 145 Campus Center. Researching Careers! Major and Career Exploration Website - Review Exploring Careers O*Net Search for information about occupations including career tasks, applicable skills, work activities, and related occupations (this resource also matches occupations to Strong Interest Inventory results) Bureau of Labor Statistics Search the Occupational Outlook Handbook for information about careers including nature of the work, training, job outlook, salary and related occupations. Candid Career- Review online informational videos from thousands of successful career professionals! Focus2- allows you to also search careers related to careers based upon your interests, abilities and values. 10