Mythbusters: Degree = Job

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If you’ve ever been a college freshman, you probably know the pressure of declaring a major. After all, this is what you’re going to spend the next four (or five, or six) years studying, and the following forty-plus practicing professionally… right?

Well, not always.

For first-year students, foreseeing the next four years is like trying to look down the road through a thick fog. You have a fuzzy idea of where you’re headed, but the figures and shapes ahead of you are hazy, and the path is uncertain. Squinting through the murkiness of impending self-discovery, how can a student know if the path they are travelling is the right path for them?

Many college students don’t realize their path is wrong until they’re halfway (or farther along) to the finish line. Panicking, they visit academic advisors and career counselors, desperate to find “right” path. Many of them discover there could be several paths that could be right for them. Again, the pressure of finding their niche overtakes them, and they feel the familiar burden of an uncertain future.

Take heart, college students, because I’m about to reveal one of the biggest secrets of college:

YOUR MAJOR DOES NOT HAVE TO DETERMINE YOUR CAREER.

There are several exceptions to be made, of course. If you’re pursuing a degree in a communications discipline, you probably will not be equipped for medical school or to be an engineer. But who knows? Maybe you’ve taught yourself programming on the side and you have an impressive portfolio to show off. Or maybe you’re the biomedical sciences major who realizes the summer before your senior year that you can’t handle blood, but you love to work with doctors.

Take it from someone who’s been there: there are ways to make it work. 

Here are three practical steps to get closer to a career that works for you, regardless of your major:

1.  Embark on a journey of self-discovery. You cannot--and should not--choose your career until you know yourself. What makes you YOU? What makes you tick? Inspires you? Grosses you out? Do you like talking to people or making machines work? These are all the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself, because their answers lead you closer to the kinds of careers and work environments that work for you. For a more guided self-discovery journey, visit the Career Center and ask about the career assessments available!

2.  Gain experience. Whether or not you’ve decided what direction you want to go, get your feet wet with shadowing, volunteering, internships, research and involvement in student organizations. Simply knowing what kinds of tasks and ideas you like to work on can reveal insight into what you may enjoy professionally. If it’s too late for this, consider researching graduate schools or certifications more focused on your desired career. As a bonus, this all becomes relevant information to include in job applications down the road!

3.  Market yourself effectively. If you find yourself near graduation with an unrelated major, think outside the box about what makes you suitable for the kind of job you want. If you’re graduating with a degree in sociology, but you want to become a social media manager, think about your own experience with communication. Did you learn about group behaviors, manage your own social media image or work on a team to complete a task? All of these skills are important in your desired field, so show them off on your resume!

After you have done all this, fret not: the path to success is not a straight arrow. You don’t have to make the right major decision the first time, but by getting to know yourself, gaining practical, applicable experience and marketing yourself effectively, you are taking steps closer to the work you were made to do.

Written by Sarah Russell

Graduate Assistant working on a MEd in Higher Education Administration

What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?

My sister-in-law, who is a freshman in college, came to visit sunny Alabama for spring break. We talked about her college classes, her friends, joining the intramural bowling team, and finally came to the topic every relative of every college freshman trots out during family gatherings since, well, the dawn of higher education.

Her major.

Turns out, she likes her ancient history class and knows all the names of early Roman emperors. She fantasizes about traveling to the Mediterranean to dig up the bones of our pre-historic ancestors. I thought as hard as I could, accessing all my career super-powers, and acclaimed, “Have you thought about majoring in history or anthropology?”

She had, of course. Astonishing how many people know what they want without even a counselor’s super-powers. Then:

“But you can’t do anything with a history major.”

Ah, my friends, here, as Hamlet says, is the rub. What will the history major do after she’s graduated? Or, for that matter, the English, art, philosophy, music, Spanish, or theater major? It’s no secret only a select few write the next great American novel or land roles on Broadway, and these few not only made the best grades, gained huge amounts of related experience since age five, and created connections with all the right people. Plenty of liberal arts majors have done the same. The “professional” liberal artists of our generation also were born under some, even if it’s barely twinkling, lucky star. The hard truth is that, yes, almost all liberal arts majors do not “do” what they “went to school for.”

But not being able to do anything with a liberal arts degree? That’s just unimaginative. You’re a liberal arts major, right? Haven’t you learned to be creative? To find answers to problems in new ways?

What about those excellent writing skills you gained in Personal Essays 311? You learned to work as a team with every cast and crew member for the curtain go up on opening night, right? What about that verbal fluidity you loved cultivating in Ethics, ferreting out holes in classmates’ arguments? And hey, didn’t you perform well under pressure during your senior recital, even though you also took four classes and served at Mellow Mushroom this spring? These are called transferable skills , and, my dear liberal arts major, employers want them.

I’ll tell you another secret: these employers don’t care if you developed these skills as a business major, family studies major, or liberal arts major, but they need you to make that connection between your degree and your transferable skills for them. It’s up to you to explicitly flash the following in neon lights: “Developed Strong Leadership Capabilities Through Stage Managing Cast Of 50.” Otherwise, they’ll never know how jam-packed full of skills that theater degree really is.

Who are these employers? And how do you find them?  

Honestly, they’re everywhere. Now, these employers certainly do not hire liberal arts majors for positions that require specific degree paths (think nurses, engineers, architects, etc.), but every engineering firm and every hospital needs people to organize, schedule, promote their services, and basically keep their business running. Find a company or organization you like, and look at the position posting section on their website. I guarantee you’ll find positions for the liberal arts major, more than likely camouflaged in titles like “Coordinator,” “Outreach Assistant,” or “Social Media Editor.” Truly, liberal arts majors can be found anywhere, and do not just end up in education (tell that to the aunt who inevitably asks at holiday dinners, “What are you going to do with that- teach?!”), unless, of course, they want to be teaching. 

But there’s another glitch to gaining that position. Not only does the savvy liberal arts major market her transferable skills well, she plans ahead. She knows that it’s not enough to just have a degree, but that almost all employers are looking for related experience. If she’s going to be hired right after graduation, that means she has to gain experience while still in school. This means pursuing an internship, co-op, or volunteer opportunity within the industry in which you’re hoping to work.       

So, go on, major in your most-loved subject, and create a career plan. Be prepared that, more than likely, your career following graduation may not be exactly in that subject area. This may be frustrating. I argue that if you’re convinced you shouldn’t major in art because you won’t be able be able to use that degree, well, then you spend your entire college career and beyond not doing art. But if you major in art knowing you might not get to use all aspects of your art degree, you at least spend four years immersed in your passion, and then hopefully are in a better position to either engage in art in your spare time following graduation while earning a living, or find ways to incorporate your passion into your current position.

For example, an English major who works in a career center can volunteer to write a blog post on using a liberal arts degree. 

Shari Black

Graduate Assistant in the Career Center

pursuing PhD in Counseling Psychology

Bachelor of Arts in Theater and English

Majors Fair: “Just Your Cup of Tea”

Career Development Services (CDS) will hold a majors fair, Wednesday, February 16, from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Student Center Ballroom.  The fair, entitled, “Just Your Cup of Tea”, encourages students to find how their passions can be developed through the various majors and programs offered at Auburn. Representatives from University colleges and schools will be available to talk with interested students. Career Development Services staff will also be on site to help students with career and major direction if needed.

Students should take advantage of the time at the Majors Fair to really assess their interests, talents, passions, and work values to help them find the major that is a fit for them. CDS staff will be available to discuss additional career planning tools available to students through their office: assessments, one-on-one career counseling, major and career research resources, etc. Many resources can be found at www.auburn.edu/career and others are available in the office, 303 Martin Hall.

In addition, Career Development Services provides a variety of job search resources to Auburn students including resume writing, mock interviews, and finding applicable internships and job opportunities. The office is open from 7:45am to 4:45pm, with walk-in hours from noon to 4:00pm. Additional walk-in hours are available in the Student Center and colleges throughout the week. Check the website for a detailed schedule. And remember, Career Development Services strives to make your career our mission.

Caitlin Coffee ‘11

Student Perspective: Type Focus and Your Future

As the spring semester is already underway, many students are beginning to research future job opportunities and summer internships. Experience plays a large role in the job hiring market; and the more experience you get, whether at a local part-time job or high paid internship will help set you apart from other job seekers in your field of interest.

A great way to find a job or internship is to concentrate your search to topics in which you are passionate about. Whether it is music, architecture, design, or science that tickles your fancy, there is a job out there that caters to you and your specific interests and skill-sets. Don’t know what kind of skills you have to offer? Unsure of your personal strengths or best personality traits? Career Development Services can help you find these answers and so much more in their easy to use personality and skill-set assessment Type Focus.

Type Focus allows you, as an Auburn student to gain insight into career choices that align with your skills and passions, as well as help you evaluate your best learning styles, and help you make educational and career-oriented goals. It is perfect for freshmen and sophomores who are still searching to find their strengths and hone in on a major; yet it is also effective for upperclassmen looking for affirmation for their skill-sets they already possess and the majors they have already chosen.

Either way, Type Focus is an invaluable tool that Career Development Services offers to Auburn students. Take the short assessment here and find out what kind of careers fit your personality and passions today!

Caitlin Coffee '11
CDS Intern

Choosing a Major: Resources that Work

Career counselors talk all day long about taking purposeful steps to identify a career and/or major that is a fit for your interests, values, personality, etc. But at the end of the day, after you've assessed yourself to death, you need tangible, up-to-date information about major and career options and how they are connected so you feel comfortable moving forward! So, from me (that rambling career counselor) to you (the student) here are two new resources I've learned of and one oldy but goody:

Degree Directory is an interesting resource you may want to explore. As an Auburn student, you won't need the links to the on-line degree programs, but use their subject finder to discover accompanying career and salary information (including videos) for major-related occupations.

Future-Jobs-O-Matic is a fun twist on choosing a career/major if one of your big worries is if a certain career will offer job opportunities in the future or not. I found the information a bit limited, but it was still fun to play with, and you might just find a golden nugget of information!

What Can I do with a Major in...? connects you to a list of different areas of employment, types of employers and strategies to be competitive for a list of 70 different majors. Also, it links you to related professional organizations and career descriptions. Check it out!

And if you don't yet know what you want to major in and/or pursue as a career and you haven't yet explored our assessments...you should. Then meet with a career counselor...rambly or not, we can empower you with resources to help you navigate the process of choosing a major/career!

Student Perspective: CDS Resources

As a student intern with Career Development Services (CDS), I am exposed to new information regularly as I prepare to educate prospective and current students about  CDS resources. Most recently, I learned about the Four-Year Plan CDS recommends, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and how proactively assessing how your personality, interests and work values relate to a career and major can significantly expedite the process of choosing a major, and preparing for a career. There is a logical order to make our lives less stressful as students. 

One resource that impressed me was the US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook - an accumulation of a wide array of careers along with a description or responsibilities, salary, and the majors recommended for that end goal.  Having something specific to work towards during school brings about tremendous motivation and perspective when homework and assignments become overwhelming.  Explore careers at www.bls.gov/OCO/.

Combine the CDS Four-Year Plan and personality or career assessments and we have a winner!  After reflection, the job that interests me most as a Communication and Spanish major is a Public Relations Specialist.  If I had discovered the natural fit of this position to my personality freshman year I very well may have changed my major.  Yet, as a graduating senior, occasionally doubting her major, there is not much I can do but promote my strengths and educate myself on what the job requires. 

Do not freak out if you find yourself in a major that does not suit you.  Make a pro and con list, weigh all options before changing majors, visit a career counselor (you can find them in your college, the student center and Mary Martin Hall weekly), and find a career that fits your interests and then identify what you want to study that fits that goal.

Margaret Kloess '10

Aubie Visits Career Development Services

Major Insights: Industrial Design

Looking for a hands-on program where you envision, conceptualize and create functional and aesthetically pleasing products for consumers? Consider Industrial Design, defined as “the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer.” Industrial design is a collaborative profession combining aspects of marketing, engineering, graphics, sales, psychology and more in a creative environment that encourages innovation. Items designed by industrial designs are vast and diverse, ranging from furniture to cars and kitchen appliances to product displays and packaging.

Students in the Industrial Design program at Auburn University learn skills such as technical drawing, marker rendering, computer aided design, hand sketching, ergonomics, and the manufacturing process. As a student you will not just be designing products for practice, you will be collaborating with well-known companies who partner with Auburn University to have ID students develop new products for the consumer market. Companies who partner with the Industrial Design program include Emerson Tool Company, Broan-Nutone, and Microplane.

The program is studio based and can be very time demanding so students need to be skilled in time management and self motivation to remain on task and meet project deadlines. If you are interested in learning more about this major and career, visit the Industrial Design department, the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction, or the Industrial Designers of America.

The Nitty Gritty (from Occupational Outlook Handbook):
Nature of the Work:

• Combines the fields of art, business, and engineering to design the products people use every day.
• Designers are responsible for the style, function, quality, and safety of almost every manufactured good.
• Designers specialize in one particular product category, such as automobiles and other transportation vehicles, appliances, technology goods, medical equipment, furniture, toys, tools and construction equipment, or housewares.

Work Environment:

• Designers employed by manufacturing establishments, large corporations, or design firms generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings.
• Designers in smaller design consulting firms, or those who freelance, may work under a contract to do specific tasks or designs. They frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients' schedules and deadlines, meeting with the clients evenings or weekends when necessary. Consultants and self-employed designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines.

Education:

• A bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering is required for most entry-level commercial and industrial design jobs.
• Many programs also include internships at design or manufacturing firms.

Earnings:

• Median annual wage-and-salary wages for commercial and industrial designers were $57,350 in May 2008. (Middle 50%: $41,550-$76,700; Lowest 10%: < $31,400; Highest 10%: > $97,770)

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, I received my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Auburn.

Healthcare Jobs...Check This Out

According to ExploreHealthCareers.org, the Federal Government is providing funding to create prevention and wellness programs that will ultimately create healthier communities and reduce health care costs:

Communities to Put Prevention to Work will focus on prevention and wellness in order to create healthier communities. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funds have been channeled into community-based prevention and wellness programs to address chronic disease rates. In response to the ARRA’s funding, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in March 2010 awards for more than $372 million to support public health initiatives in 44 communities across the U.S.

Let’s Move is a national initiative that provides resources to help parents and children make healthier food choices at home, in their school, and community. First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the charge to address childhood obesity.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national program that implements community-based solutions with the expected outcome to reverse childhood obesity by 2015 is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and provides resources which support healthy eating and active living, especially among children who are at highest risk for obesity in 41 communities across the U.S.
 
That means professionals are NEEDED in the following areas:
 
Public health is the science and art of creating healthy communities through education, research, and promotion of health lifestyles.

Nutrition and dietetics is the health field that focuses on the interaction between nutrition and health. Changes in diet can help prevent or control many health problems.

Environmental health professionals work to improve public health by identifying, tracking, and addressing environmental risk factors.

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine professionals place a high value on the body’s natural ability to heal itself and thus tend to be prevention-oriented in their treatments.

Dentists and Dental Hygienists provide a wide range of oral health care that contributes to the general health and quality of their patients’ lives.

Mental health practitioners counsel patients in order to promote optimal mental health with a focus on prevention.

Meet with a career counselor to explore how you can develop a career path to enter these fields.

What can I do with a major in…?

Many incoming freshmen, current students, and even soon-to-be graduates are asking themselves, “What can I do with a major in…?” Students often assume that a major identifies or limits the career(s) they can acquire when most often, that is not true. So, how do you find that major-to-career link?

CDS offers an on-line resource dedicated to the exact question being addressed: “What can I do with a major in?” (WCIDWAMI) If you fit into one of the following categories, I encourage you to explore this resource:

1. Researching/changing majors

2. Undecided

3. Loving your major but have no idea what to do with it

4. Seeking to expand your horizons/staying flexible regarding potential job market

WCIDWAMI helps you explore major-to-career options by identifying the following for the major of interest:

• Typical career areas pursued
• Typical types of employers
• Tips to prepare strategically pursuing career areas
• Links to related career descriptions, professional organizations and job posting sites

Educate yourself on your options to build your confidence in the classroom and job search. If you have follow-up questions, take advantage of the CDS walk-in hours (Summer: 12-noon, Mon-Thu and 12-2, Fri). Because here at CDS...Your Career is Our Mission.

Jump Start James '13

Student Perspective: Strong Interest Inventory

Do you ever get tired of hearing that your personality will determine what your career will be? What about your interests? Personality is nice, but if you are not interested in what you are doing…will you truly enjoy it? Career Development Services offers an assessment called the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) that identifies how your interests align with the interests of people who have been in their careers for at least three years and are satisfied with them.

• It takes about 30 minutes to complete.
• Results are discussed with a career counselor.
• It costs $30...but it is money well spent.

I took the assessment and am indeed very interested in the careers that were suggested to me. However, don't just take the suggestions as the only options. Research the many careers that are shown. And compare your results from TypeFocus and FOCUS (which are free) to see what consistencies are emerging. Also, it identifies majors that are in-line with your career interest areas. (The career counselor can help you navigate how majors at Auburn can help compliment these career goals.)

Since TypeFocus and FOCUS are free (FOCUS offers an interest component), I suggest they be taken before the SII. The more you know about yourself, the better you can identify careers and majors that compliment YOUR interests, personality, skills, etc. So, ..take the assessments, talk to a counselor, choose a major, and have a successful career! (This could take a while...but at least it's a plan!)

Good luck!
Jump-Start James '13

Top Tips: Oysters, Bulls, and Latin? Practical Tips for Freshmen

As a upcoming college freshman, you have probably heard the phrases, “the world is your oyster,” “carpe diem,” and “take the bull by the horns” multiple times in the past several months, but have you thought about how you can actually apply these nuggets of wisdom in college? As you face new choices and challenges such as registering for classes, doing your own laundry, and finding your way in Haley Center, Career Development Services wants to take the guesswork and mystery out of declaring a major. If you are unsure about which major to choose, how to find a career path, or what to do with your life in general, consider these top tips:

1. Assess yourself: Think about your strengths and your talents. Ask yourself, what am I naturally good at doing? Also, think about your interests and what you enjoy doing. Find some common ground and identify activities and classes you both excel in and enjoy. This may be a difficult task if you are good at many things and have varied interests so you may solicit some help from parents, friends, or teachers who have witnessed your best talents first hand. Additionally you might start by crossing off activities you don’t enjoy doing or those where you struggle to perform well. This can be a great starting point for indentifying areas where you do excel. Knowing who you are and what you can do will help in finding your niche in a specific major and career.

2. Explore your options: Did you know that Auburn University has over 140 different majors? From anthropology to zoology and everything in between you may find the task of choosing just one very daunting. As you prepare to enter your freshman year, take the time to explore all of the majors that interest you. In purposefully evaluating these majors, take notes on the topics you will be studying, opportunities to study abroad and intern, GPA and core requirements and possible career paths. Career Services offers multiple resources to help you find this information and sort through the options. Who knows, you may find your passion in a major or career field you never knew existed!

3. Ask questions: As you assess yourself and explore your options, ask as many questions as possible in order to paint a well-rounded picture of the majors you are considering. Talk to your parents and teachers about the options you are considering and ask if they know any professionals in those particular industries. Conduct informational interviews with these professionals to ask specific questions about the daily requirements of the job and the types of education or certification required for promotion. Also, solicit advice from Career Development Services for tips on how to prepare yourself for a career in your chosen field of study. There are many people who want to help you succeed so don’t be afraid to ask questions!

So, now after you decide whether or not to take 8 a.m. classes, dig through your pockets for spare quarters, and ponder Haley’s system of quadrants and floors, you can rest easy knowing how to tackle the task of finding your major and career direction by using these top tips and visiting Career Development Services. Whew!

Student Perspective: FOCUS

We college students like the idea of “weighing our options,” evaluating the pros and cons, and making decisions from information that we gather ourselves. Career Development Services offers FOCUS (a free resource!), a career planning tool, that allows us to do just that concerning choosing a major/career. FOCUS allows you to explore the following through five separate assessments:

• Work interests
• Personality
• Skills
• Values
• Leisure Interests

FOCUS helped me establish what career path is appropriate to my major interest through the “What can I do with a major in..?” tab. This link displayed careers available within my chosen field of study. Then, I narrowed my options to two careers and compared their profiles side by side. (I also used the Occupational Outlook Handbook to find information that FOCUS left out such as duties, employment outlook, and contacts.)

Check this resource out to better educate yourself on your career options. Being able to compare and contrast occupations side-by-side was a helpful tool. So far, I'm comfortable with the career direction I've identified. How are you doing?

Jump-Start James '13

Student Perspective: Type Focus...What's That About?

 

Come on guys, let’s face it. We’ve all debated whether or not our career and/or major choices are the “best fit” for us. We want a career in which we will be happy, never lose interest, and excel immensely. Did you realize there is a tool to help us identify such a match?

 

On the Career Development Services website, under the Students Tab, there is a link to various assessments. I used TypeFocus first for a number of reasons. It is...

• Free!
• A reliable and valid instrument in determining personality type (similar to Myers-Briggs Indicator).
• Short...and only took around 15 minutes.

I initially took TypeFocus to fulfill a class assignment, but I quickly recognized the advantages, and proactively used the career research section (which wasn’t required) as well. The assessment results actually identified careers that typically align with my personality type, and researching those careers allowed me to identify a major that fit my outgoing, imaginative, and compassionate personality…thus, I have landed in public relations.

 

The assessment helped a lot, but scheduling an appointment with a career counselor to discuss my results provided additional insight and helped me develop a plan to further explore my results.

 

I encourage you to call (334.844.4744) and set-up an appointment for an interpretation. If you just want to learn more about the assessments, just walk-in, Monday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. or Friday, noon to 2 p.m.

 

These services are free because you have already paid for them through your student fees so take advantage of AU Career Development Services. Trust me. You’ll be glad you did.

 

Author: James Miller '13

Stressed about Which Major to Choose? Try Informational Interviewing

As Career Development Services welcomes Camp War Eagle students, I am reminded how stressful choosing a major and career can be. There is still summer left so use that time wisely to conduct informational interviews with professionals working in various career fields of interest. Having too many options can be overwhelming! Not knowing your options can as well. Informational interviewing sharpens your perception of the career you are researching. It also helps you to develop contacts and it is a great way to measure your compatibility with the people, work environment, and general lifestyle of the career. Here are a few examples of good informational interview questions.

1. How did you get started in this Business/Industry?
2. What are the positive and negative aspects about your position and the industry as a whole?
3. What are the major rewards of your job?
4. What are the major frustrations you encounter on your job? How do you encounter them?
5. What are the current career opportunities in this field?
6. What skills, experience, or other qualifications do you recommend I acquire in order to obtain a job in this field?
7. What is the typical career path for entry level hires?
8. What are some other good sources of information about this industry i.e., articles, reports, journals, and people?
9. What professional associations represent this field?
10. Who are the recognized leaders in this industry?

Although an informational interview takes a little more work on your part, in the end, you will be glad you went to this length to research your career. Why not be in college majoring in something you love, already armed with contacts who could potentially hire you for internships, summer and even full time jobs! If you have any questions about networking and informational interviewing you can access more information from our tip sheets section on our website or feel free to make an appointment to meet with one of our career counselors! Meanwhile, have a great summer!

 

Author: Jenna Shugart

Student Perspective: Making the Major Decision

During the college application process, incoming freshmen often find themselves asking, “What do I want to major in?” “What jobs are available in that major?” “Would my parents, teachers, etc. approve of my major” These questions are all great ones to be asked, but the main focus should be “What do I want, or am interested in majoring in?”

Many college students get on-campus and end up changing their major for a number of reasons whether it is loss of interest, finding that they lack the appropriate skills needed, or they just cannot seem to “get it right.” Students can easily change their major three or more times before they realize there are resources to help them through this process of identifying their so called, perfect fit.

One student, James…that would be me…changed his major a total of 4 times. Now I’m not saying that this is what YOU should do. I thought I was strong in the sciences because I excelled in them in high school, but when I arrived to a research university and actually had a chemist teaching me instead of a chemistry teacher, I was in for a rude awakening. I failed my first semester of Chemistry, and struggled still in my second semester. It was then that I realized the sciences were not enough of an interest to weather the information and potential for failure.

After coming to Career Development Services, I realized that my natural strengths could be complimented by a major/career. I took interest inventories and personality assessments that indicated that I should choose a major that utilized my impeccable social skills. So, I chose public relations as a major because so many careers within the major interested me, and I knew this long-term direction would increase my class attendance, homework completion, and confidence.

So as a “wise” sophomore, I suggest that students thinking of choosing a major should consider the following:

1. Take the university core requirements first. This allows you to see where you interests and strengths are which would help in your choosing of a major.
2. Visit Career Development Services. Take the online interest and aptitude assessments.
3. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss the results of your assessments. They can help with any questions you might have about a major choice.
4. Be proactive in self exploration and career research and then, let the major choose you instead of you choosing it. This way if you excel in Math and Science, a major that will help you exhibit those skills would be best for you. The same goes for English and writing skills, maybe something such as Journalism would be appropriate.

Just remember that you are in control of your own life, and instead of listening to what everyone else believes you should major in listen to your own judgment and do what is best for you.

By James Miller '13

The Art Of Being Proactive

In May, I will graduate alongside about 3,000 of my peers. Add that 3,000 to the graduating classes of the other 11 SEC schools, and you’ve got an influx of about 36,000 students flooding the job market of the southeast. Good old fashioned SEC rivalry competition at its finest.

I’d like to think that we are the products of some of the best learning institutions in America. We’re educated and proactive. At least I thought I knew what proactive meant until I discussed the art of being proactive with several of my friends and found that there are differing views on how to be proactive. So I collected what I thought were some of the best and compiled a list for upcoming graduates.

1. Attend specialty fairs hosted by professionals
One of my best friends is a Public Relations major here at Auburn. She told me about an upcoming PCRA state conference hosted at the Auburn Hotel and Conference Center. Public Relations students from across the state can attend daily seminars with guest speakers from several of the major television networks. The speakers will discuss their chosen career paths and offer guidance to students looking to enter into a similar field. This is a perfect networking opportunity if you’re willing to be proactive by signing up and getting out there. For more info, go to http://eaprca.com/.

2. Put the major job search engines on the backburner…for now.
Another friend mentioned how she keeps an ongoing list of the positions she applies for. She used to apply for at least one job a week using some of the major job search engines. However, she found that she never received a response, even if she had nearly every qualification being sought. So she turned to an often forgotten source: her peers. Recently she was a bridesmaid in a wedding and mentioned to another bridesmaid that she was seeking employment as an event planner. The other bridesmaid happened to have a friend from home with an event planning business. Plans for an interview are in the making.

Lesson learned: personal contacts can go further than some shot in the dark search engines; we just have to invest the time!

3. Set up a LinkedIn account.
Social networking is, to say the least, absolutely booming. However, many students today stick with the social networking they are accustomed to rather than branching out to more professional sites that can help with job leads. LinkedIn is a professional social networking site for just that. A profile can be as basic or detailed as you prefer. Former employers can post recommendations right on your page for others to see. LinkedIn is one of the best ways to promote yourself without being over the top about it.

Hope these proactive tips help. Happy job hunting.

Job Search Jenna '10

Top Tips: Finding the Booming Industries

After being bombarded with news story after new story about the economic drought and unemployment nightmare plaguing many industries, you may be wondering where the top jobs are hiding. Fortunately, they are not tucked away in seclusion but instead take just a little imagination and investigation to locate. US News and World Report has taken much of the guesswork out of the equation by releasing their list of the 50 Best Careers of 2010. Ranging from Science and Technology to Education and Civic categories, this list doesn’t discriminate across industry or education requirements and offers options for any major. Based on projected job growth rate and income level, the US News and World Report list provides students struggling with what to do after graduation a new take on some old favorites (i.e. engineering, nursing, and accounting) while highlighting emerging fields such as network architect and emergency management specialist.

So, how do you land a position in one of these “top careers”? Consider these tips:

1. Do your homework: Research what level of education or major the career requires for advancement. Will you need to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree? Also, see what an average day is like for someone in the career. Do they sit at a computer all day or are they up and about, meeting with people? Find out where the best jobs in the industry are located. Are the tops jobs in big cities or can you find an opening in almost any size town? These factors will be very important in determining if the career field is a good fit for you.
2. Be creative with your strengths: List your biggest strengths. These could range from your keen awareness of market trends to a natural ability for helping others in adverse circumstances. Brainstorm how these strengths can be used in your desired industries. Remember that many skills and abilities will transfer from career to career so your talent for say, maximizing productivity can be an asset in many industries. Thinking a little “out of the box” will yield a multitude of new options.
3. Align careers and strengths: Tie your career exploration and self-assessment together by thinking about where the two overlap. What careers match well with your education and key skills? Where might you need to make up some classes or strengthen some skills in order to pursue a desired career? From this reflection, narrow down a short list of careers that fit your interests, strengths, and education.

Don’t despair; the jobs are out there! Keep your options open to new and interesting opportunities as emerging fields move to the forefront of their respective industries. You never know, you could be the Bill Gates of biomedical engineering!

Author: Meaghan Lee