Choosing a Career
Career Decision-Making Cycle
- Self-Reflection: Consider your interests, skills, experience, values, and personality as you explore careers. It's an ongoing process, so be sure to keep good notes.
- Exploration: Continually explore different career ideas by reading, conducting informational interviews, taking classes, and working in related settings.
- Action: Take the information obtained through reflection and exploration and act on it. This may include preparing a resume or cover letter or developing a plan to get a job or internship.
- Evaluation: Once you have secured your goal (an internship, a full-time position) your career decision-making process is not over! Throughout your career, it is important to continue to evaluate your interests, skills and values to ensure that your current job is meeting your needs.
Suggestions for Reflection and Exploration
Identify your interests, skills and values:
- Use our Step 1: Self Assessment booklet to identify your personal characteristics, skills and accomplishments
- Take a advantage of the UO Career Center’s online self assessment tool available through the Oregon Career Information System
- Write in a journal (reflect on experiences, write about a dream job, and so forth)
- Ask other people for input
Browse through introductory career books and web sites:
- Visit the Lundquist College Career Services Library - 240 Lillis
- The following websites allow you to search careers by title and learn about typical responsibilities, skills needed, employment outlook, salary, etc.
- If you are interested in careers outside of business, the UO Career Center Library on the 2nd floor of Hendricks Hall has additional materials for all disciplines.
Learn from professionals about their careers:
- Talk with friends, family and acquaintances about their jobs
- Talk with recruiters at Career Fairs. Seek out new contacts and set up appointments
- Attend Employer/Alumni presentations to learn about career paths
- Seek out new contacts and set up informational interviews
- Enroll in BA 410: Career Business Mentor course. This one credit class is open to all students and is offered fall, winter and spring terms. In addition to learning about resumes, letters of introduction, and interviewing, you will have the opportunity to request two professionals working in careers of your choice and conduct informational interviews with each.
Get involved in a variety of co-curricular activities and jobs:
- Try leadership positions and develop your interpersonal skills. Check out some of the clubs and activities offered through the Lundquist College of Business and the UO.
- If you have identified an area of work you are interested in trying out, consider applying for an internship.