If listing your most important interests, abilities and values is difficult for you, try the following resources for assistance:

 

Take a Career and Life Planning class, Educational Psychology 2610 - 1 credit hour (see the current class schedule for availability)

Visit the Counseling Center for a Career Development Workshop (426 SSB, 801.581.6826); Click here for more information about the Counseling Center

Use the Sigi Plus computer career exploration program in the Career Library, 390 SSB.

Step 2: The second step in your decision-making process is to start collecting information on majors and careers. There are two approaches you can take: (1) select a major that you love and find out which career possibilities would be open to you with that major or (2) find a career you would enjoy and determine the most appropriate major to prepare you for that career.

MAJORS
When exploring majors make sure you consider:

Does the major match your interests, values and abilities?

What kind of classes will you have to take in the major?

What is the length and structure of the major?

Does the major have any special admissions requirements?

What are the career opportunities for someone with this degree?

To find out this information:

 

Read about majors in the General Catalog.

Visit departmental advisors for programs in which you are interested and/or attend a departmental information session.

Take an introductory course in majors that interest you.

Visit the Career Library in Career Services to find out about career possibilities for each major.

CAREERS
When exploring careers, be sure to consider:

What are the daily activities of someone in this career?

What are the skills needed to be successful in this field?

What kind of salary and opportunity for advancement does this field offer?

What is the availability of jobs with this career choice?

What major(s) would best prepare you for this career?

To find out this information:

 

Visit the Career Library in Career Services (390 SSB).

Talk to a professional already working in the field. The Career Library has the Alumni Career Advisory Network to help with this step.

See what career fields are really like by getting work experience in fields of interest. This can be arranged through Career Services (350 SSB, 801.581.6186) and the Student Employment Office (382 SSB, 801.581.4473)

Volunteer through the Bennion Community Service Center (101 Union, 801.581.4811).

Look into extra-curricular activities on campus (contact ASUU, 234 Union, 801.581.2788 for information)

Step 3: Once you have collected information on yourself and on majors and careers, you will be ready to take the final steps in the decision-making process. Organize the information you have collected in a way that will allow you to compare your options.

Prioritize the information you've gathered on yourself.

1.  Consider only the most significant interests, aptitudes and values.
2.  Organize important occupation/major information on a chart, so you can easily
     compare choices.
3.  Use general categories such as "skills needed," "salary," "length of training," etc.
4.  List pros and cons for all options.

Step 4:Your final step should be to narrow your choices by eliminating options that don't fit with your interests, aptitudes and values. A University College academic advisor can help you with this step.

TIPS TO REMEMBER:

This process will take some time. Don't rush into a decision.

Majors and careers are not always directly related. Most college majors don't provide "job training" but help you develop general skills that can be used in a variety of careers. Employers often hire someone based on the skills they possess, not on the major they studied in college.

There is usually not one "perfect" career for an individual. Combine majors, minors, certificates, internships and electives to make your entire academic experience the best pursuit it can be for you as an individual. Strive for the "best" not the "perfect" match.

You should not feel "trapped" by any decision you make. You can change your career or major if you are unhappy with your decision.

Some interests make better hobbies than careers.

If you are considering a major with special admissions requirements, be sure to consider alternatives in case you are not accepted.

So-called "unmarketable" majors may be more marketable than you think. See an academic advisor to find out about career opportunities for liberal arts majors.

You are the one who has to live with your choice. Don't expect or allow others to make this decision for you.