Career Exploration and Planning

There are several ways to begin investigating career options and finding a job. Doing some self exploration, interacting with alumni and recruiters and getting hands on experience will assist you in exploring the endless variety of industries, career tracks, and job opportunities within your chosen major.

Discover what you enjoy doing and the skills and talents you possess. Match these skills and talents with career possibilities. Pick a variety of career fields you would be interested in and investigate them. Research companies and career paths.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory

The PDC offers the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and the Strong Interest Inventory to students for personal assessment. Please email career@eller.arizona.edu for a link to take the assessment. After taking the assessment, you will need to schedule a 20 minute appointment with a professional development staff member to receive the results and interpretation. The assessments cost $10 each and are charged on the student's Bursar's account.

Self Assessment Strategies and Tools

UA Career Services offers walk-in counseling and self-assessment programs including the Strong Interest Inventory career planning program. Utilize the Career Information Library in Suite 411 in the Student Union and the online resources offered by Career Services www.career.arizona.edu The DISCOVER system - Whether you are beginning college, conducting a job search or making a career change. It will provide you with information about your values, interests and abilities and then help you explore occupations and academic majors. The DISCOVER program is divided into four categories:

Did you know?

According to Job Outlook 2004, by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top skills and qualities employers seek in job candidates are:

• Communication skills (verbal and written)
• Honesty/integrity
• Interpersonal skills
• Motivation/initiative
• Strong work ethic
• Teamwork skills
• Analytical skills
• Flexibility/adaptability

Ask yourself...

Do you have these proven skills/qualities? Are they evident in your resume? Could you give examples to prove these qualities in an interview? If you need to improve these skills/qualities what will you do between now and graduation to excel in these areas?