Transcript Document

Finding Direction:
How To Identify
Education & Career Goals
Presented by:
Los Medanos College Career Center
5/28/2009
Some Facts About Selecting A Major
• National statistics vary but up to 50% of entering
college students are undecided about education and
career goals.
• 50-70% will change their majors at least once (on
average they will change majors 3 or more times before
they graduate).
5/28/2009
More Facts
• Majors do not necessarily lead to careers.
o The average person will change careers 4.5
times over their lifetime and work for an
average of 10 employers.
• Careers in demand today- may not be 4-5 years
down the line
o 40-60% of the jobs for the future have yet to
be created!
Why Plan?
The average person
will work
approximately 1/3 of
their lifetime =
10,000 days!
The average person
will earn
approximately
$2,000,000 in their
lifetime with
education beyond
high school
Individuals often
identify themselves
with what they do
The career that you
choose can affect
your physical and
mental health.
Steps To Success
Take Action: Baby Steps or Giant Leaps
Decision Making: Checks & Balances
Exploration: Identifying Your Resources
Self Assessment: Discovering Who You Are
Career AssessmentDiscover Who You Are…
• Pinpoint your interests and match them with your
strengths.
• Take a personality assessment to identify preferred work
environments and tasks
• Clarify your values, specifically what matters to you, e.g.
making a lot of money or feeling that what you do makes
a difference, working alone or as a part of a team.
• Document your skills. What are you good at?
5/28/2009
ExplorationWhat Are Your Resources
The Career Center can
provide resources and
information to begin your
exploration of majors and
Careers. Other resources to
utilize are:
•
•
•
•
•
Career Center Webpage
Counselors
Instructors
Library: LMC, City, County
Networking: Family,
Friends, Classmates,
Church, Clubs,
Associations
• Informational Interviewing
COUNS-032 Career Development
An intense career exploration designed to
engage students in their own career
development. Topics include how to realistically
assess, review, and interpret various areas such
as interests, attitudes, values, priorities, skills
and strengths, goals, and career options in the
current job market. The course includes the
opportunity to utilize the campus Career Center.
Transfer: CSU
Decision Making
Transfer
Employment
Major/
Ed Goal
You
5/28/2009
With the information
you gather from self
assessment and
exploration- along with
guidance from the
Career Center and
Counselors,
you will be
able to make a more
informed decision.
Take Action
• Meet with Counselor to put together an Ed Plan
o
Creating an Ed Plan with a counselor can help you achieve
your educational and career goals
• Tell family and friends about your decision- saying
it out loud makes it more real
• Be flexible- life happens/things change
o
When things change, let your counselor know so they can
help you modify plan.
The Career Center Can Help
•
•
•
•
Career Assessments- FREE
Exploration Resources- FREE
Information Gathering- FREE
Resume Writing, Job Search Skills, and Mock
Interviewing- FREE
• Referrals To Other Student Services Programs- As
needed
For More Information
Visit the Career Center in RM 524
(Voc Tec Bldg- Across from Admissions)
OR
Call (925) 439-2181 ext 3252
“To be happy for life,
love your work.”
Chinese Proverb