Transcript Strategies for Discovery - State University of New York at

Strategies for Discovery
A workshop for Major / Career
Exploration
Academic Advising Center OMB127
257-3015
“How do I know what major is right for me?”
• Study what you love and are good at.
• A major does not “get you a job.” You’ll be hired based on your
skills, abilities, and experiences, and the way you present
yourself.
“Can I get a Job in that?”
• Your career path will be a journey through several jobs starting at
the entry level. Learn, build skills, get experience…repeat!
• You may have a starting direction in mind, but life will surprise you
with both setbacks and opportunities.
• Your major helps position you for the direction you choose.
What Majors are there to
choose from at New Paltz?
Professional Studies
• In professional track majors, what
you study is directly related to
your career.
• Elementary Education = Elementary Education Teacher
• Accounting = Accountant
• Communication Disorders = Speech Pathologist
While there is still a range of career options, it is easier to see the
connection between major and career path
Skill Based Majors
• Some majors build specific skills that
are highly desirable in certain careers
• Spanish = any career in which bilingual skills are needed or useful
• Communications and Media = writing, understanding of media,
interpersonal communication skills can be applied across a wide
range of business, health, government, or non-profit careers.
• Biology = technical and scientific background can be applied to a
wide range of careers in industry, health, environment, government,
etc.
Liberal Arts Majors
Liberal arts majors are full of transferable skills.
Philosophy = critical thinking and writing skills
History = reading, writing, research, perspective on the past
Anthropology = culture, historical perspective, biological evolution, writing,
research
Economics = math, understanding the pathways and balances of global markets,
writing, statistics
Psychology/ Sociology = understanding human dynamics, research, statistics,
writing, verbal communication skills
A liberal arts major does not necessarily define your career. Your
jobs, internships, volunteer work, research, and networking all
play a big role.
MAJOR / MINOR
• One way to help define a career path is to create combinations
Major
Minor
Related Careers
English
Black Studies
Art History
Psychology
Intern’l Relations
Journalism
Environmental Science
Economics
Asian Studies
Computer Science
Latin American Studies
Law and Legal Studies
Environ. Programs
Urban Planner
Import/Export
Psych. Testing
Intern’l Trade/Labor
Political Columnist
Minors can help set you apart from other job applicants and can help you
pull your major into a more specific career direction.
“How do I know what is right for me?”
•
Take a personality assessment to match your qualities
to career categories
www.nycareerzone.org

Research careers now to increase your career vocabulary.
There are career paths you have never heard of or considered!
Google “Careers for _____ Majors”
Monster.com
Mymajors.com
Ehow.com
What Employers Look For
• Experience - Create your own opportunities. Career
Resource Center can help with internships/ volunteer opportunities.
Make the most of summer & campus jobs. Be proactive!
• Skills – Learn practical skills:
languages, office computer, public
speaking, presentations, organizational, leadership, research,
design, etc. Employers need people who can multi-task.
• Confidence / Self Directed – Employers want people
who are trainable and who can work independently, follow directions,
learn on the job. Learn how to be confident by trying out new
situations. Get out of your comfort zone. Learn how to talk to
strangers. Start learning how to sell yourself now. Practice before it
really counts.
Steps for a Major/Career Search
1.
Focus on what you like and are good at – know yourself.
2.
Create a short list of potential majors / minors.
3.
Research entrance & program requirements /
course descriptions / Department web pages.
4.
Link majors to career options – Research on-line /
Career Resource Center
5.
Speak with advisors / parents / professionals / other students
6.
Take introductory and major courses
7.
Declare a Major / Minor
8.
Summer jobs / internships / scholarship and research projects/
volunteer / travel experiences / on-campus leadership /
organization participation will help build your career future during
the college years
Out the Door
in Four!
Your major is just one component
that you will use on your path to: