Self-Reflection: Consider your interests, skills, experience, values,
and personality as you explore careers. This is an ongoing process for all
of us. Be sure to keep good notes!
Exploration: Continuous effort must be applied to exploring different
career ideas. Do this through reading, informational interviewing, taking
classes, and working in related settings.
Action: Turning exploration into action is a critical part of the
process. Take the information obtained through reflection and exploration
and act on it. This may include preparing a resume or cover letter, making
a decision, 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:
Write in a journal (reflect on experiences, write about a dream job, etc.)
SIGI 3. In addition
to career information, SIGI 3 also provides a self assessment component.
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 and explore their opportunities Seek out new contacts and set
up appointments. Let them know you are a college student exploring their
career field and would like to learn from them!
Seek out new contacts and set up informational
interviews. Let them know you are a college student exploring their
career field and you would like to learn from them.
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 choosing and conducted information 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 LCB
and the UO.
If you have identified an area of work you are interested in trying out,
consider applying for an internship.
Do you want help with the exploration process?
Call 346-3301 or stop by Lillis 240 and make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your future possibilities!
