What Can I do with my Major? 9/21/2018 4-1 CS What Can I Do With My Major? 2015

Training Objective Task: Determine if your major is a good fit for your career goals. Condition: Given a block of instruction from The Career Center Standard: Students will use the “What Can I Do With this Major tool” to identify specific career related goals specific to their major including “Areas” of employment & “Potential Employers.”

Introduction What do I need to know about different career options as they relate to majors? How can I determine if my major is a good fit? Cit101 results from Career Plan Reasons why your career path or job interests you What are characteristic about your career path that you will research to help you reach your goals What resources are available to help me as a student? What should I do if I am having trouble in my major? Why is it important to discuss this RIGHT NOW? Examples of how it can apply after college. My major sounds exciting and adventurous

Source: NACE 2015 Job Survey What do I need to know about different career options as they relate to majors? Source: NACE 2015 Job Survey

How do I determine if my Major is a good fit? Research! Use all available tools & talk to people! Determine your V.I.P.S. (using a tool like Sigi3) Don’t undervalue your experience Develop a plan & a back up plan What are potential areas of employment? Who are some of the potential employers? What is something I need to do this semester to help me take a step towards the goal? What if I am not sure what I want to do?

How do I determine if my Major is a good fit (continued)? After determining your V.I.P.S. (Values, Interests, Personality & Skills), look at connecting your future goals related to these areas to a major that can help you gain knowledge and skills in a specific area. Not all knowledge is gained specifically through your major, Leadership, clubs & organizations, service learning can also help you identify V.I.P.S. Examples of things to be aware of: To differentiate yourself from others, you need to stay aware of current events in a career area (sometimes this isn’t addressed in class). Students who wish to attend medical related careers will need to make that decision as early as possible and maintain a strong GPA. If you are in a major that requires more rigor (like engineering), switching majors later can become problematic and costly.

Results of the Cit101 Career Plan Reasons why your career path or job interests you

Results of the Cit101 Career Plan What are characteristic about your career path that you will research to help you reach your goals

Scenarios Dream Job Big Bucks Some students choose a major because it sounds exciting and adventurous. If this is you, be sure you research and have realistic expectations of the demands required. Make sure that you can and will do the course work required for the career of your dreams. Future earning potential is worth considering - college is a big investment. It can pay off in many ways beyond salary (travel, service, potential for growth). According to PayScale.com, the majors that lead to the highest salaries include just about any type of engineering, actuarial mathematics, computer science, physics, statistics, government, and economics. Keep your quality of life in mind, too! That six figure salary may not be worth it if you're not happy. http://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/choosing-a-major

Scenarios Passion Project Free Spirit Some students choose a major simply because they love the subject matter. If you love what you're studying, you're more likely to fully engage with your classes and college experience. That can mean better grades & developing professional relationships with others in your field. If your calling is history, don't write it off. Research what it takes to apply a history major. Many liberal arts majors provide students with critical thinking skills and writing abilities that are highly valued by employers. If you truly have no idea what you want to study, that's okay! Unlike The Citadel many schools don't require students to declare a major until sophomore year. Make the most of any required general education courses—choose ones that interest you. Talk to professors, advisors, department heads, and other students. Exploring your interests will help you find your best fit major—and maybe even your ideal career

Scenarios Planning now helps in the future Michael Bell Emily Kerbs Electrical Engineering Major Meet with HR execs. On campus Michael Bell Criminal Justice Major Started researching opportunities in Cit101. Nicole Roberson Business Major Interning with Santee Cooper. Planning now helps in the future

Scenarios George Carabaugh Trey Nelson Business Major with Accounting Focus starting researching Interning Trey Nelson Civil Engineering Informational Interviewing !

What should I do if I am having trouble in my major & why is this important right now? Your major is a tool to help you gain leverage in the work market; however, it does not totally define who you are. If you are unsure of what you want to do, talk to people: academic advisors, career center, and alumni in the field. You will get asked 1000 times, “What’s your major?” It is the 1st question most people ask college students. What most people want to know is, what do you plan on doing with this major? Start practicing your response! If you do not know, start asking questions and thinking about WHY you are having trouble (academics, interest, outside factors).

How will this apply to life after The Citadel? “It sounds exciting and adventurous!”49.93% You get PAID to do that? Stunt Woman Victoria's Secret Photographer Candy Store Owner Filmmaker, Marine Biologist Beer Brewer LEGO Sculptor Surf Board Designer Car Aficionado

Performance Oriented Exercise Visit C3 Website > “Resources” > “What Can I do with this Major?” > “Connect Majors to Careers” Find 2 “AREAS” & 2 “Potential Employers” that interest you Take the Google Survey and answer the following questions: What are 2 areas of potential employment and 2 potential employers Extra Resources: Continue your summer job and internship search using hireLINK account Use C3 drop-in 1-3pm/Mon-.Thurs. & Resume Blitz 12:30-2:30 Mark Clark Hall for help What are recommendations to improve this class?