A successful career is not achieved by a one-time “snap” decision. Career planning is a continuous process – a series of choices. The career choices you make are not stagnant and will evolve over your lifetime. While making decisions about your major and career can be frustrating and difficult, the more effort you put into self-assessment and exploring majors and careers, the more easily you should be able to make a decision you are comfortable with. Remember, approximately seventy percent of students change their majors at least once, and on average, most people change their career fields six or seven times in their lifetimes. Consider the following factors and resources as you bring it all together!
Decision-Making Style
How you approach problem-solving will differ based on your decision-making style. Decision making styles are determined by “how” you make decisions - either spontaneously or systematically, and “where” you make decisions -- either internally or externally. Spontaneous decision makers make decisions quickly based on what feels right. Systematic decision makers seldom act impulsively and gather a great deal of information before making decisions. Internal decision makers analyze problems silently and privately, they “think and then talk”. External decision makers like to bounce ideas off of others, they often “talk and then think”. Gain insight into your decision-making style by completing the decision-making exercise in Collage: A Kent State to Career Portfolio.
Prioritize
Keep in mind that no career can possibly meet all of your needs. You will have to do some prioritizing to select the career which meets your most important needs or allows you the flexibility to meet your needs outside of the workplace. Reflect on the skills and values that are the most important to you. Keep those in mind as you evaluate your choices.
Career Paths
For some academic programs, the connection between major and career is clearer than others. But remember, there are numerous career paths within a given career field. For example, an accountant can work in a large accounting firm, have his/her own business, or can be the only accountant in an industry completely different from the accounting field.
Direct Career Link
Some majors relate directly to a career. In this case, the academic program directly correlates to a job and the training, licensure, or certification required for the profession.
Major:
Career:
Architecture
Architect
Education
Teacher
Nursing
Nurse
Indirect Career Link
Most majors do not relate directly to one career path and can lead to a variety of careers depending on your interests, work/volunteer experiences, internships, co-curricular activities, values, etc. A career counselor or advisor can help you identify possibilities like the following:
Major:
Career:
Psychology
Counselor, Probation Officer,Customer Service Representative, Human Resource Professional, Non-Profit Advocate, Marketing Researcher
There are no right or wrong decisions. Trust that you will make the best decision as long as you have spent the necessary time gathering the information needed to make an educated decision.
Accept the fact that decision-making involves some risk. You cannot know all the possible results of a decision. Don't be afraid to take a chance!
Results of a satisfying decision do not have to be all positive. Most decisions produce both positive and negative results.
Be objective and keep an open mind. Consult with others for ideas about possible alternatives as well as support and encouragement.
Choose a Major/Career
Useful External Web Sites