Discover the Path to Your Dream Career Career Decision Making Portfolio

Fourth Edition 2007

Portfolio Developed by:

Lone Star College-North Harris

Counseling Center/Career Services

Linda Gooding, MS, LPC, DCC

Counselor/Professor

Gloria Mallett, MA, LPC, LSW

Counselor/Professor

Rachael Lowe, MEd

Counselor/Professor

Table of Contents

General The Path to Your Dream Career 1

Gain Self Awareness 2 External/Internal Influences on Career Choice 3

What Is Important to You in a Career ? 5

My Career Fantasy 6

Interest and Personality Tests/Inventories 7

Explore Career Options 8

Differences Between a Career and “Just a Job” 9

The Career Information Interview 10

Career Search Resources 11

Career Services Library Titles 13

Real World Experience 15

Who Needs Help? 17

Questions to Ask Yourself 18

Occupation Worksheet 19

Make a Career Action Plan 20 You Choose Your Goal and the Path to Get There 21

My Career Plan 22

Personal Notes 23

Career Decision Making Portfolio/Satisfaction Survey 24

3

External and Internal Influences on Career Choice

There are many factors that influence our ability to make an independent career choice. How might the

following play a role in your career decision?

External

Parents/Guardians/ Other Relatives What were/are your parents’/guardians’/other relatives’ attitudes toward work? How have their attitudes and guidance influenced your ideas about work?

Significant Other What is your significant other’s attitude about work?

How has his/her attitude influenced you?

Friends/Acquaintances/Peers What attitudes do your friends and acquaintances convey about work?

How have your peers’ attitudes and choices influenced your opinions about work?

Economics How do the national, state, and local economic pictures influence your career choice?

Sex Role Stereotypes Some occupations are still dominated by one gender or another. Have you wanted to enter an

occupation but didn’t pursue it because so few of your gender were working in it?

What occupations would you consider pursuing that aren’t traditionally entered into by your gender?

Media Do you base your knowledge of careers on how they’re portrayed on TV shows?

Are you influenced by newspaper or TV reports on the economy and how it’s affecting certain careers?

Will information you access on the Internet play a part in your career search?

Other External Factors What other external factors have influenced your feeling about work and/or your career choice?

4

Internal

People who are in the process of making a career decision often experience many different thoughts and feelings.

Some of the more common feelings are: panic, worry, excitement, indecision, feeling “stuck,” and fear of letting others

down. It’s natural to experience these as you go through the process. Below are some common myths about career

decision-making.

1. I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake and if I make a choice, I can never change it. Myth: There is only one good choice. If I don’t make the right one, I’m trapped. I’ll miss out on something that

might have been better.

Fact: There are usually a number of choices available for everyone. Most people make an average of 3 to 5

career changes over a lifetime. If you get tired of doing one thing, you can switch to another. Your experiences,

needs, and interests change; therefore, a career change is often times a natural progression in your life. Change is

common in our current economy. People no longer start with one company and stay there for 30 or 40 years until

they retire.

2. Everyone else knows what he or she wants to do; so what’s wrong with me? Myth: Everyone else has chosen a career.

Fact: While some people know what they want to do at a very early age, the vast majority of people do not. It’s

normal to be unsure of what you want to do. The ability to make a career choice requires that you be aware of

your interests, abilities, and values and that you know about the world of work. If you haven’t been exposed to

different jobs, how will you know what you want to do?

3. I don’t know what my options are. Myth: I’m afraid I’ll never find something I’ll truly want to do.

Fact: There are many tools available to help you discover your passion. Many are included in this portfolio.

Others can be discovered with the assistance of a career counselor.

4. I’m overwhelmed by options. Myth: I’ll never be able to decide on any one thing because there are too many careers that interest me.

Fact: There are many tools and techniques that are designed to assist you in narrowing down your career options

and ultimately deciding on one in particular.

5

What Is Important to You in a Career?

Being aware of what you want from a career is very important in your career planning process. Having a clear idea of

what you value will help you choose a career that will be a good fit for you.

Please look over the list of values and their definitions. Then, rate each item using the following scale:

1 = Very important 2 = Reasonably important 3= Not very important 4 = Not important at all

____ Recognition Respect, social approval, prestige

____ Achievement Mastery of a field, advancement, personal growth

____ Leadership Responsible for work done by others; influence others

____ Contribution to society Help others; work for society; make a difference in the world

____ Self expression Develop personal interests and abilities

____ Money Fulfill material needs; afford things one wants

____ Advancement Opportunity to be promoted from within

____ Flexible hours Ability to set own hours

____ Leisure More time for personal activities (hobbies, vacation, family)

____ Security Changes in economy don’t threaten your job

____ Staying put Jobs are available locally

____ Independence Desire to work with little or no supervision

____ Creativity Contribution of new ideas; originality; initiative

____ Challenge Handle difficult work; master new things

____ Interpersonal relationships Work with co-workers you like

____ Variety Diverse activities; a great deal of change

____ Other Anything that isn't mentioned above

(Adapted from Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc.)

6

My Career Fantasy

Have you ever wanted to make a movie? Well, here’s your chance to write, produce, direct, and star in a very important

production—one that can help you decide on a career that will fit your personality, interests, and abilities. Close your

eyes and start “filming” your future professional life. Be as detailed as possible; include each of the areas listed below

as well as anything else you would want in a career.

After you’ve finished, write down what you saw in your “career movie” so you can keep these things in mind as you do

your research.

Circle the item(s) in each category that are included in your ideal career.

1. Work environment: Inside/outside; plain/fancy; high-rise building; quiet/busy; own office

2. Geography: Want to live close to work place; willing to commute long distances;

small town or big city; need to be near a bus line; willing to relocate (another

town, state, country)

3. Co-workers: Have similar interests and values; diversity (age, ethnicity, gender);

don’t care what co-workers are like

4. Work preferences: Prefer to work alone; enjoy working with teams & groups;

like a mix of working alone and with teams

5. Responsibility: Forty hours a week (no take-home work); willing to work overtime;

want supervisory responsibility; would like to own my own business

6. Values Family Life Knowledge/learning

(What is Important to You) Aesthetics (the arts) Creativity

Power Helping/caring

Moral values Independence

Recognition Security

7

Interest and Personality Tests/Inventories

There are numerous tests and inventories that can help you define your interests and personality. Listed below are just a few

that might be of help in your career decision-making process. No test will tell you what you should be or how well you’ll do the job.

It should only be used as one of many resources for putting together all those pieces of the career decision-making puzzle.

Be aware that before you take most online inventories, you may be asked to provide data about yourself. No web site can be

considered 100% secure, so if you have any privacy concerns, you may want to make up a name and address rather than using

your own.

Personality Testing Who am I? Personality tests help you identify your own personality preferences. Personality preferences provide a picture of

who you are and what preferences are most natural for you. Becoming aware of your preferences allows you to find niches within

careers that utilize your preferences so that you can choose careers that reward you for being yourself.

Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)—Personality Test

In order to take the MBTI, you must schedule an appointment with a career counselor who will determine whether or not it would

help meet your needs. If assigned, this inventory will be taken on computer in the NHC Assessment Center. One should allow

at least 45 minutes to complete the test.

Keirsey Temperament Sorter—Personality

http://www.advisorteam.com/temperament_sorter/register.asp?partid=1

Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI), this online inventory can be accessed and taken for free. It is more

thorough than the Type Focus and has links to more sites that link personality type with occupations.

Type Focus

http://www.typefocus.com

This free personality inventory is based on Myers-Briggs Type Inventory.

Interests Testing What do I enjoy doing with my time? Interests tests help identify both general and specific areas where you have interest by

comparing your answers with those who are happy in their careers. By becoming aware of general interest areas, you can research

and discover many careers that may be of interest to you.

Career Key (Note: There is now a fee for taking this test).

http://www.careerkey.org

Career Key is designed to help people make good career decisions by providing a personality and interest inventory, based on

the work of John Holland, then listing careers that match. Lists of job titles are linked to the Occupational Outlook Handbook,

which gives in-depth career profiles. Another section has advice on how to make good career decisions.

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9

Differences between a Career & Just a Job

Defining these common terms is key as you progress along your path. A job refers to a particular place a person is

employed. A career sums up a person’s whole life in the world of work (Bolles & Figler).

Career Just a Job

Usually entails training or education. Usually requires little or no preparation prior to entry.

Usually provides an adequate or satisfying Often viewed as a necessary task to pay bills.

income (or at least has the potential to provide one).

Includes a willingness to make significant, long-term Typically includes an unwillingness to make

sacrifices to get started and advance. significant sacrifices or long-term commitments.

Generally involves a series of jobs that If the opportunity presented itself, one would quit

progressively serve to increase and complement or change to something else with little or no regret.

one’s personality, values, and skills.

Characterized by a strong sense of loyalty and Sense of loyalty and dedication are typically low

dedication. or non-existent.

Viewed as long-term and life-long (in regard Often viewed as short-term with limited benefits.

to type of work and general direction). .

Usually provides opportunities for personal growth Usually provides little or no chance for growth and

and advancement. advancement or promotion (and usually no desire

for these).

Tends to complement or support personality, Does little to complement or support personality,

attributes, values, and skills. attributes, values, and skills.

(Adapted from: Phifer, Paul. Career Planning Q’s &A’s)

10

The Career Information Interview

An information interview is a great way to gather career information from someone working in the field you’re

researching. Many people will be glad to give you some time because most like talking about their jobs—especially if

they like what they do. The purpose of your visit is to obtain information, not ask for a job. You’re just gaining

knowledge to make a decision whether or not the career is a viable one for you.

Where do you find these people? You can ask friends, family, professors, and others whom you know for names. If

they don’t know any, search the Internet or Yellow Pages for companies/organizations. Call and identify yourself as a

student who is researching this career and ask if a person in the company/organization would be willing to speak with

you.

Talk to several people within this field so you can hear a broader range of opinions. After the interview, send the

person a “thank you” note. After all, he/she gave you some valuable time. Furthermore, you might just see that person

again in a job interview some day.

For more information interview questions and advice, please go to:

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/infointerviews/a/infointervquest.htm

Sample Questions:

1. In the position you now hold, what do you do in a typical day?

2. If you could redesign your job, what parts would you keep? What parts would you get rid of?

3. What jobs did you have that led you to this one?

4. How long does it usually take to move from one step to the next in this career path?

5. What is the step above the one you have now? What is the top job one can have in this field?

6. Are there other areas in this field to which people in it may be transferred?

7. Are there any specific courses a student might take that would be particularly beneficial in this field?

8. What entry-level jobs qualify one for this field?

9. What types of training do companies usually give to people entering this field?

10. What are the typical salary ranges for various levels in this field?

11. What special advice would you give to a person entering this profession?

12. Is there a demand for people in this field? Do you foresee more or less demand in the future?

13. How do you see the jobs in this field changing over the next five years?

14. What is the best way to obtain a position that will start me on a career in this field?

15. If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently in your career?

16. Do you have co-op or internship positions available?

17. What are the top skills one should have for this job?

18. What are the most important personal characteristics one should have?

19. Does your job require any ongoing education, licensing, or certification?

11

Career Search Resources

The Internet is a rich source of information regarding careers and occupations. When conducting research, make note

of the source of information. Be sure it’s from a source you trust. Also, if you find that a web site no longer exists,

please let us know.

Discover is one of the major computerized guidance programs available in the Counseling Center. It is available

online. To access this program, you must have a user ID, which you can obtain in the Counseling Center front desk in

A-104. The program has a wealth of information on all of the categories listed above. If you click on the

“Occupations” tab, you can access job descriptions, educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, and what people

like and dislike about their career. If you click on the “Majors” tab, you can find a list of careers for the majors where

you have interests. The program also allows you to click on the “Schools” tab to find schools that offer your major,

see the cost of tuition, and see their admissions requirements.

Besides the Discover program, you can also visit the following websites for information:

1. http://www.vocbiosonline.com/login.php

Use Login: NHC and Password: 44G to access reports from employees in unique careers.

2. http://www.bls.gov

U.S. Department of Labor’s web site that provides a link to the latest edition of their Occupational Outlook Handbook. Very handy guide to major occupations with information on what the jobs entail, job outlook,

salary, related occupations, and more. Other helpful career decision-making and job search links are also

provided.

3. http://online.onetcenter.org

O*Net—The Occupational Information Network has replaced the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

(DOT). Provides extensive information regarding various career fields.

4. www.typelogic.com

Web site geared toward the MBTI personality type. Has good article in which each type is described.

12

5. http://careers.msn.com

General MSN careers page with links mostly to job search information.

6. http://content.monstertrak.monster.com/tools/careerconverter/

Has a converter for majors. Choose a major, and it shows related job titles.

Further, it takes one on a search by job category and location including Houston.

7. http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm

This is the home page for the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics. It highlights various careers is each issue and provides a wealth of information for the job/career

searcher.

8. http://content.monster.com.hk/getahead/movingover/6202

Shows the changing world of work—how things used to be, and how they are now.

9. www.jobweb.com

Produced by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), this site provides a wealth of

career planning information including salary information, job outlook, self-assessment inventories, and more.

10. http://www.privacyrights.org

Non-profit organizations’ Web page with lots of valuable information regarding privacy in and out of

cyberspace plus tips on how to prepare for a background check by prospective employers.

11. www.teamtechnology.co.UK/tt/t-articl/mb-simpl.htm

Has excellent article regarding MBTI types.

12. http://www.jobprofiles.org/index.htm

Experienced workers share information regarding their experiences on the job.

13. http://www.vocationvacations.com/index.asp Want to experience a career before you decide? The following web site, Vocation Vacations, offers the

opportunity for one to see what it’s really like to do the work. There is a fee for this.

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Career Services Library Titles

For reference only. Visit often for new titles.

Located in Counseling Center A104

100 Best Nonprofit Organizations

100 Careers in Film & Television

100 Careers in Music

101 Career Alternatives for Teachers

Acting Professions

Administrative Assistant/Secretarial

Careers

Adventure Careers

Alternative Careers Book

Beginning Entrepreneur, The

Best Jobs for the 21st Century

Career Connection for Technical

Education, The

Career Guide for Creative &

Unconventional People, The

Careers for Car Buffs

Careers for Nonconformists

Careers in Art

Careers in Criminology

Careers in Health & Business

Careers in International Business

Careers in Journalism

Careers in Medicine

Careers in Science

Careers in Social Work

Casinos & Casino Hotels

Civil Service

Computer Technology Careers

Cosmetology

Culinary Arts

EMT Careers

Exploring Healthcare Careers

FBI Careers: The Ultimate Guide

Federal Jobs in Law Enforcement

Fire Fighter Careers

Guide to Homeland Security Careers

Healthcare Careers for the 21st Century

Healthcare Job Explosion

Health Professional Education Director

Health Professional Job Resource

Guide

History Graduates

How to Get a Job in the Music &

Recording Industry

How to Make it Big as a Consultant

Inc. Yourself

Internet Jobs for the Rest of Us

Intro to Healthcare Professions

Is There an Engineer Inside You?

Job Opportunities in Healthcare

Jobs for People Who Love to Travel

Jobs for Travel Lovers

Jobs in Law Enforcement

Kids Mean Business

Law Enforcement Careers

Medical Technology & Technicians

Military Careers

Paralegal Career Guide

Pfizer Guide to Careers in

Pharmaceuticals

Professional Pilot Career Guide

Quick Prep Careers

Real Estate Careers

Retailing Careers

Sales

Social & Rehabilitation Services

Sunshine Jobs

Teaching Careers

Working with Wildlife

Great Jobs For:

Art Majors

Business Majors

Chemistry Majors

Communication Majors

Computer Science Majors

Criminal Justice Majors

English Majors

Engineering Majors

Foreign Language Majors

Geology Majors

Math Majors

Music Majors

Sociology Majors

Theater Majors

Career Opportunities In:

Advertising & Public Relations

Armed Forces

Banking, Finance & Insurance

Computers & Cyberspace

Education

Fashion Industry

Film Industry

Food & Beverage Industry

Health Care

Law & the Legal Industry

Law Enforcement, Security &

Protective Services

Music Industry

Politics, Government & Activism

Radio

Retail & Wholesale Industry

Science

Sports Industry

Theater & Performing Arts

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Travel Industry

Television, Cable, Video & Multimedia

Opportunities In:

Acting Careers

Aerospace Careers

Animal & Pet Care Careers

Architectural Careers

Banking Careers

Beauty Culture Careers

Biotechnology Careers

Chemistry Careers

Chiropractic Health Care

Clinical Laboratory & Science Careers

Commercial Art & Graphic Design

Careers

Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement

Careers

Data & Word Processing Careers

Dental Care

Educational & Support Careers

Event Planning Careers

Eye Care

Fashion Fire Protection Careers

Food Service Careers

Foreign Language Careers

Forensic Science Careers

Forestry Careers

Gerontology & Aging Services

Careers

Government Careers

Health & Medical Careers

Hospital Administration Careers

Human Resource Management Careers

Interior Design & Decorating Careers

Journalism Careers

Law Careers Library & Information

Science Careers

Magazine Publishing Careers

Medical Technician

Metalworking Careers

Modeling Careers

Music Careers

Nursing Careers

Nutrition Careers

Occupational Therapist Careers

Paramedic Careers

Pharmacy Careers

Photography Careers

Physician Assistant Careers

Physician Careers

Psychologist Careers

Purchasing Careers

Public Relations Careers

Real Estate Careers

Social Work Careers

Sports Medicine Careers

Technical Writing & Communication

Careers

Television & Video Careers

Veterinary Medicine Careers

Visual Arts Careers

Welding Careers

Careers For:

Animal Lovers

Aquatic Types

Book Worms

Born Leaders

Caring People

Class Clowns

Color Connoisseurs

Competitive Spirits

Computer Buffs

Crafty People

Culture Lovers

Cyber Surfers

Environmental Types

Extroverts

Fashion Plates

Film Buffs

Financial Mavens

Foreign Language Aficionados

Geniuses

Good Samaritans

Gourmets

Hard Hats

Health Nuts

High Energy People

History Buffs

Homebodies

Introverts

Kids at Heart

Legal Eagles

Military Careers

Music Lovers

Mystery Buffs

Nature Lovers

Night Owls

New Age-ers

Number Crunchers

Patriotic Types

People on the Move

Perfectionists

Persuasive Types

Plant Lovers

Puzzle Solvers

Scholars

Scientific Types

Self Starters

Shutterbugs

Sports Nuts

Stage Struck

Talkative Types

Travel Buffs

Writers

America’s Top:

300 Jobs

Computer & Technical Jobs

Fastest Growing Jobs

Jobs for College Graduates

Jobs for People with 4 Year

Degrees

Medical, Educational & Human

Services Jobs

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Real World Experience

There are four primary ways in which you may be able to gain some real world experience in your chosen career. They

are: Service Learning; Internships; Co-op Experiences; and Volunteer Work. Studies have shown that

organizations often give special hiring consideration to students who have done one or more of these, when the

students have done a good job, and when there are job openings. For job opportunities, visit the following web site:

www.collegecentral.com/nhmccd.

1. Service Learning “Earn college credits by making a difference in the world!!!”

Are you the type of person who would like to make a difference in the world? If so, Service Learning is the perfect

opportunity for you to reach out to your community and possibly earn college credits at the same time. Classes that

offer Service Learning as part of their grade utilize skills from your class while helping others. This hands-on

approach to learning helps you understand what you are learning while providing assistance to those in the community.

Additional benefits include:

Improved occupational skills for your résumé

Potential job contacts

An increased awareness of job ethics

Enhancement of scholarship and college applications

A better understanding of coursework

For more information contact The Office of Service Learning (OSL) at:

281.618.1149 or gloria.mallett@lonestar.edu

2. Internships

An internship is a limited-time paid or unpaid experience in a professional-level occupation. The

organization agrees to have you work there primarily to learn what the field is about under the

guidance of an experienced person. In return, the intern temporarily helps the organization by

performing job duties, thus allowing the employer and intern to benefit from the experience.

Internships can vary in length from one semester to two years.

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How does one find an internship? Sources may include: advisors in the department of your chosen field;

counselors in the Counseling Center; and career resource books that list internship opportunities (i.e.,

Internships, a book that is updated annually, and is published by Peterson’s of Princeton, NJ).

3. Co-op Experiences

A co-op is much like an internship. However, while an internship is usually a one-time experience toward the

completion of one’s education, a co-op can involve working for an organization for several semesters.

Usually a student will attend school for one semester then go work on a co-op the next semester. This

sequence is often repeated once or twice. The Co-op can be either part-time or full-time employment for

which the student is paid.

4. Volunteer Work

Volunteer work is usually unpaid work that can be a useful bridge between careers. It is to your advantage to

make the best of it and to understand that you are being paid in ways other than money. Volunteer work can

give you the opportunity to set up informational interviews, meet people in the careers in which you are

interested, make potential life-long contacts, and add relevant experience to your résumé. Also, you will

learn about yourself and grow immeasurably through discovering and using your assets.

Volunteer work is usually arranged on an informal basis rather than applying for a volunteer job. When

contacting the organization about volunteer opportunities, it is appropriate to say “Could I talk to you about

working here for experience? I am willing to offer my time and service on an unpaid basis.”

See the following web sites for more volunteer information:

http://www.volunteermatch.com and http://www.volunteerhouston.com

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Who Needs Help?

Your willingness to share your time and skills is greatly appreciated and valued by employers. Not sure where to start?

Consider these types of volunteer-friendly programs. The Counseling Center can help you locate many of the

organizations listed below.

Abuse Prevention Programs

AIDS Centers

Animal Protection

Anti-Pollution Campaigns

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Boys & Girls Club

Churches and Synagogues

Citizen Alliances

Community Theater

Conservation Programs

Crisis Hot Lines

Environmental Causes

Food Banks

Geriatric and Aging Programs

Girl Scouts

Habitat for Humanity

Historical Preservation Societies

Homeless Shelters

Hospitals

Libraries

Literacy Programs

Local Government Boards

Lunch Programs for Underprivileged

Children

Meals on Wheels

Mediation Services

Mental Health Programs

Museums

Nursing Homes

Political Parties and Causes

Public and Private Schools

Recycling Programs

Special Olympics

Tutoring Programs

United Way Agencies

YMCA and YWCA

Youth Organizations

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Questions to Ask Yourself

To make an informed career choice, it is important to answer each of the following questions.

Circle your answer for each.

Interests: Would I like this kind of work well enough to do it as a career? Yes Maybe No

Skills & Abilities: Do I have the skills needed, or do I have the potential to develop them? Yes Maybe No

Physical Abilities: Am I physically able to do this kind of work? Yes Maybe No

Preparation: Am I able and willing to obtain the education and training that are

required? Can I afford the time, money, and possible relocation? Yes Maybe No

Employment Opportunities: What are my chances of getting into this kind of work? Am I willing to

compete assertively for jobs available in this field? Yes Maybe No

Opportunities for Advancement: Are there chances of obtaining higher- level positions in this field? Yes Maybe No

Licenses & Certifications: Am I willing and able to qualify for licenses and certificates that may be

required? Yes Maybe No

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Occupation Worksheet

Now that you’ve completed the exercises in the research section, and have narrowed your choices down to a few

careers, it is important to gather the following information for each of your career choices. Comparing and contrasting

your answers for each career will help you move closer toward choosing the career that will be the best fit for you.

Questions to Answer Occupation 1 Occupation 2 Occupation 3

3 main reasons I’m considering this

career

Job Description—Tasks Involved

Training/Education/Experience

required for entry-level position

Hours/Earnings

Job Outlook-availability of jobs in

the future/ability to advance

Work conditions

Places of employment

Advantages (name at least three)

Disadvantages (name at least

three)

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21

You Choose Your Goal and the Path to Get There

Life is a series of setting, working toward, and reaching goals. Kathleen Norris said, “Before you begin a

thing, remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead…You can only see

one thing clearly and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin.”

I. In the blanks below, list the career goals you want to reach and circle the time frame in which you want to

reach each goal.

A. ______________________________________ _____________________ _________________________

Now Next Month This Year Within 5 Years

B. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Now Next Month This Year Within 5 Years

C. ______________________________

Now Next Month This Year Within 5 Years

D. __________________________________________________________________________ ___________

Now Next Month This Year Within 5 Years

II. What is your plan of action for reaching your Priority 1 goal? List the steps you plan to take. Then do the same for

goals 2, 3 and 4. Use another sheet of paper if necessary. _______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Training for Life by Hecklinger & Curtis

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My Career Plan

Now that you have completed evaluating your personality and your interests, it is important to act while you are still

highly motivated to change. It is suggested that you do this exercise summary by writing a brief paragraph on each.

1. The most important things I learned about myself are:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. This knowledge relates to my career/life planning in the following way(s):

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Because I engaged in this process, I will:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. Other thoughts I have:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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Personal Notes

Record your thoughts and feelings about what you have learned after having gone through this process.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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Career Decision Making Portfolio/Satisfaction Survey

Congratulations! You have completed the portfolio and are further along your path to your dream

career! Please fill out the satisfaction survey below and bring it to the Counseling Center. You will receive

a certificate of completion, suitable for framing, signed by one of our counselors.

Please circle the answer that most closely describes your thoughts and feelings. Date:_________

1. In my career decision-making process, I

(a) have made a decision. (b) have thought about a few careers. (c) am still working on it.

2. I’ve researched several careers. Yes No

3. I haven’t made a decision yet, but I feel more confident that I’ll be able to do so now. Yes No

4. Overall, the process I went through was

(a) very helpful. (b) somewhat helpful. (c) not helpful at all.

5. I saw a counselor for assistance during the process. Yes No

6. If the answer to #5 was “Yes,” the counselor I saw was

(a) very helpful. (b) somewhat helpful. (c) not helpful at all.

7. I would recommend the Career Decision Making Portfolio to my friends. Yes No

Comments:______________________________________________________________________________

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25

Academic Building 104

Phone: 281.618.5481

ASSISTANT DEAN

Rhonda Cannon, MEd

COUNSELORS

Kathy Avery, MA, LPC

James Carroll, MEd, NCC, LPC

Linda Gooding, MS, LPC, DCC

Jack Hernandez, MA, LPC

Rachael Lowe, MEd

Connie McMahan, MEd

Gloria Mallett, MA, LSW, LPC

Linda Mark, MS, Ed