Strategies for Discovery

A workshop for Major / Career Exploration

Academic Advising Center OMB127

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“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 CareersEnglish Environmental Science Environ. Programs

Black Studies Economics Urban Planner

Art History Asian Studies Import/Export

Psychology Computer Science Psych. Testing

Intern’l Relations Latin American Studies Intern’l Trade/Labor

Journalism Law and Legal Studies 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 Search1. 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: