Career Services Offers an
Alternative to "Wondering"

Many students arrive at college with no clear career plans. These students tend to "wander" around with no idea of how to make such a decision. When the time comes to declare a major, they sometimes choose what they see as the lesser of all evils, or the path of least resistance. To avoid this happening to you, the Office of Career Services offers the following suggestions.

As Freshmen students should:

• Acquaint themselves with the student services available on campus designed to help them with a wide range of concerns.
• Take classes that will expose them to a number of alternative majors.
• Begin to recognize areas that may be of special interest to them through the various courses they are taking.
• Assess where their interests lie, identify their abilities and begin to narrow choices.

As Sophomores students should

• Begin to explore career alternatives related to majors which interest them.
• Identify how their values, abilities and interests correlate with different majors.
• Based on the knowledge of self that they have gained, decide on and declare a major.

As Juniors students should

• Explore career alternatives linked to their college major and select those which align with their interests, abilities and goals.
• Pursue volunteer experiences, part or full time employment, internships or cooperative education opportunities related to their career goals.
• Narrow choices with the experience gained from outside positions.

As Seniors students should

• Begin to identify the skills and abilities they have developed through the college experience, and decide which skills and abilities they wish to use in the work place.
• Make a firm decision as to the type of positions they feel would be best suited for them and that would offer them the most job satisfaction.
• Prepare a resume; learn job search strategies; and begin to apply for career-related jobs or future graduate or professional school training.

Does this all sound overwhelming? When approached in a well organized manner, career decision making is seen as a process. This process is never eas y, but the outcome is very rewarding. The Office of Career Services has written resources to help you with your career development. These include self-assessment materials, career and major information and job search materials in the Career Resources Center. Throughout the year workshops are offered on various topics. These include resume writing, job search strategies, and interviewing techniques. Career fairs are also offered including a business fair, education fair, and a health professions fair. Individual appointments are available with a career counselor to assist students through any part of the career decision-making or job search process. To make an appointment, call WSU-3435. AND, check out their website at http://careers.wichita.edu/