Career & Professional Development works with students in all aspects of the career development process, from choosing a major to career changes.
On average, college students change their major twice. Don’t worry if you are not sure exactly what you want to major in, you have plenty of time and resources to help you find a major and career that is right for you.
Shenandoah University Career & Professional Development believes that career development is a lifelong process influenced by all aspects of life, with the result being a good quality of life and personal satisfaction.
MyPlan.com has many tools to assist you with your college career. These tools range from assessments to help you choose a major or career, to information about financial aid, graduate schools, and discussion forums.
If You Are Unsure About Which Major And Careers Are A Good Fit For Your Strengths and Personality, Assessments Can Help!
VIA Character Strengths Test:
- Go to www.viacharacter.org
- Click on the “Take the Free Survey” yellow button
- Create a free account (make sure you are under the adult tab)
- Register and take the survey to get your results
TypeFinder Personality Test:
- Go to www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new
- Mark your answers from inaccurate to accurate for how well each statement describes you
- Fill out all pages and view your results
Exploring Potential Career Paths Can Help You Determine Which Major Will Prepare You For That Career
What Can I Do With A Major In…?
- Go to www.myplan.com/majors/what-to-do-with-a-major.php
- Select the major that most closely matches your potential options
- View career options for each major in Tier 1 (highly related) and Tier 2 (somewhat related)
- Click on careers that interest you to find out more information about the job requirements, industries, salary, and related careers/majors
Virtual Work Experiences
- Go to www.theforage.com
- Sign up for a free account
- Explore careers through virtual simulations
O*NET Online:
- Go to www.onetonline.org
- Click “Browse” under the “Find Occupations” box
- Find occupations by searching for keywords or screening by career cluster, industry, job zone, bright outlook, green economy sector, job family, or STEM
IBISWorld
- Go to http://www.ibisworld.com/industry-trends/
- Learn about country-specific industry trends and forecasts.
- Use this information to help direct your career/major exploration!
Why should you have a 4-year Plan?
- Gain skills
- Explore majors
- Become a well-rounded candidate for your career
What you can do each year:
- Meet with Career & Professional Development
- Get involved on campus
- Develop your resume
- Network with alumni, staff, faculty, and employers
- Gain leadership roles in your organization or job
- Attend Career & Professional Development events such as career fairs, etiquette dinners, or networking receptions
- Get feedback on your professional materials
Self-Assessment and Exploration
- Meet with Career & Professional Development to set goals
- Evaluate your own interests, strengths, and skills by completing MyPlan.com assessments
- Start formulating a resume
Networking and Research
- Begin networking with faculty, staff, employers, and alumni
- Invest in business attire
- Explore study abroad and international opportunities
- Research careers in your field
- Apply for summer or fall internship opportunities
Goal Setting and Gaining Skills
- Set goals for your career
- Establish a brand: create a portfolio, website, or LinkedIn profile
- Start your job or graduate school search, and take entrance exams if required by the institution
- Complete an internship to build skills
Goal Organization and Execution
- Prepare professional materials: resume, cover letter, portfolio, references, and professional brand
- Apply for jobs, internships, fellowships, or graduate school
- Meet with Career & Professional Development to review your professional materials
- Formulate a “Plan B”