Career Decision Making
Career Decision Making Process
As with any important decision, it is best to take control (decisions are within your power) and follow a decision making process.
Step 1: Identify the goal or objective.
Selecting a Major or Career
Step 2: Determine your options/alternatives.
Career: Will you consider only careers directly affiliated with your major? Only careers with particular earning potential? Only careers that require no education beyond your major?
**This step needs you to identify your interests, skills, and values. The Self Assessment Guide provided and Focus will help you do this.
Step 3: Research. Explore. Gather information.
Career: What do people in that career field do? What is a logical career path? What skills and education do I need to enter this field? How many opportunities are there and where? Am I willing to live the lifestyle that goes with this career?
**Critically important to establish a clear understanding of the field. Start by researching in the Career Resource Library. Conduct Information Interviews (refer to the Networking handout) with alumni and others. Do an internship or spend a day on the job with someone in the field.
Step 4: Evaluate the pros and cons of making this choice.
Career: If I choose this career, am I likely to find a job? Am I willing to locate in the area where opportunities are plentiful? Can I live on the salary I will be offered or am I willing to make sacrifices to take the offer (get a roommate, buy a cheaper car, etc.)? Am I willing to learn the skills needed? Will this career be consistent with my values, interests and skills?
Step 5: Make an Action Plan.
Write the steps and a timetable that you need to accomplish to meet the goal. Make sure the steps are feasible given other commitments (current classes, campus activities, jobs, etc.)
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/ocdp/mules/cdmprocess.html
Career Decision Making Worksheet
Name:
As with any important decision, it is best to take control (decisions are within your power) and follow a decision making process.
Step 1: Identify the goal or objective.
Selecting a Major or Career
Step 2: Determine your options/alternatives.
Career: Will you consider only careers directly affiliated with your major? Only careers with particular earning potential? Only careers that require no education beyond your major?
**This step needs you to identify your interests, skills, and values. The Self Assessment Guide provided and Focus will help you do this.
Step 3: Research. Explore. Gather information.
Career: What do people in that career field do? What is a logical career path? What skills and education do I need to enter this field? How many opportunities are there and where? Am I willing to live the lifestyle that goes with this career?
**Critically important to establish a clear understanding of the field. Start by researching in the Career Resource Library. Conduct Information Interviews (refer to the Networking handout) with alumni and others. Do an internship or spend a day on the job with someone in the field.
Step 4: Evaluate the pros and cons of making this choice.
Career: If I choose this career, am I likely to find a job? Am I willing to locate in the area where opportunities are plentiful? Can I live on the salary I will be offered or am I willing to make sacrifices to take the offer (get a roommate, buy a cheaper car, etc.)? Am I willing to learn the skills needed? Will this career be consistent with my values, interests and skills?
Step 5: Make an Action Plan.
Write the steps and a timetable that you need to accomplish to meet the goal. Make sure the steps are feasible given other commitments (current classes, campus activities, jobs, etc.)
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/ocdp/mules/cdmprocess.html
Career Decision Making Worksheet
Name: