DECIDING ON A MAJOR WORKSHOP Jennifer Mendoza Counselor

Introductions 1. What is your name? 2. What is you current job? 3. Approximately how many college units have you completed? 4. What do you hope to gain from this workshop?

Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Embarking on a Career Path What are your… Interests Abilities/Strengths Values

Interests Consider…  Things you enjoy (work, activities, hobbies, etc.)  Environment (indoors, outdoors, combination)  Courses (projects, assignments, activities)  Things that do not interest you *Do you think you would be interested in the careers/work related to the major you are considering?

Abilities/Strengths Think About…  Class and work performance  Talents (i.e. helping others, influencing, solving problems, working with numbers, using your hands, organizing, etc.)  Recognition and awards received for work and/or academics  Weaknesses *Do you have the ability to be successful in the major you are considering?

Values Reflect Upon…  Religious, philosophical, moral, ethical beliefs/teachings  Things which are important to you (personal service, financial security, etc.)  Political stand on topics  Importance of family *What values match the requirements and outcomes of the major you are considering?

Holland’s RIASEC Theory John Holland (1985) Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.) Odessa, FL.: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. Self Directed Search Based on assumption that individual can be classified into six different groups Groups are called personality types Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional Inventory estimates how closely a person resembles each of the types Three types = three-letter codes (RIA)

What is a Realistic person? Guns N’ Ammo, restoring old cars, building and rebuilding Likes outdoors, casual dress, rural living Reliable, takes physical risks, avoid center of attention Nature, Mechanical Activities, Military, Athletics Associate Degree: Fire, Automotive Technology, Diesel, Welding, Machinist Technology, Police Science, Administration of Justice Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Mechanical Engineering

What’s an Investigative person? Sailing, chess, computers, bird watching What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies? Many times it’s the same answer Independent, analytical, task oriented (wrapped up in job), unconventional Science, Mathematics, Medicine Associate Degree: Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Library Science, Paralegal Studies, Pharmacy Technology Bachelor Degree: Pre-Med, Chemistry, Biology, Forensics, Engineer, Pre-Law, Pre-Veterinarian, etc.

What’s an Artistic person? Art, design, music Likes the arts, reading and doing individual activities Impulsive, sensitive, appreciates creative endeavors, impractical Creative unstructured environment, theater, advertising and PR firms possibly museums and libraries, Culinary Arts, Drama, English teacher. Associate Degree: Arts-Graphic Design Multimedia Media, Architecture, Music, Dance, Radio, Television& Film, Library Science, Fashion Design, Photography Bachelor Degree: Art, Theater, Design, Architecture, Dance, English, Languages, Elemementary Teacher, Culinary Studies

What’s a Social person? People magazine, volunteer service, parties, conventions. Likes to be around people, humanistic, ideals, concerned for the welfare of others. Personnel, mental health, schools, religious organizations, social services. Associate Degree: Nursing, Human Services, Liberal Arts Bachelor Degree: Sociology, Psychology, Social work, Teaching- Liberal Studies, Speech Pathology, Human Development

What is an Enterprising person? Orange Coast, Money magazines, Sharper Image, Travel and Resorts Likes sporting events, conventions, clubs and organizations and expensive resort vacations, politics, bus. Owner, seats of power and finance. Ambitious, social, talkative, status, aggressive, optimistic. Associate Degree: Business Administration, Paralegal Studies, Accounting, Real Estate/Escrow Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications - PR

What is a Conventional person? Home Improvement, Collecting Likes structure, chain of command, large corporations and business environments, games with clear cut rules, civic and fraternal organizations. Conscientious, practical, orderly, precise, accurate and careful. Associate Degree: Business Applications, Medical Assistant, Accounting, Library Science, Pharmacy Technology, Fashion Design Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Math Teacher

What are some of the Majors at SBVC? Accounting Anthropology Architecture Art Biology Business Administration Chemistry Child Development Communications Computer Science Criminal Justice Economics Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Computer, etc.) English Geography Geology History Human Services Kinesiology Liberal Studies Library Science Machinist Technology Mathematics Music Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Radio, Television & Film Real Estate Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Restaurant Management Religious Studies Water Supply Engineering Welding Social Work Sociology Theatre Arts

What is Communication? Speech, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, Rhetorical Studies (persuasion, popular and media culture, political and public affairs) Film and Electronics Arts Journalism Advertising Public Relations

What’s available in Math and Science? Computer Science and Computer Engineering Engineering Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Vet. Animal Science Forensic Science Occupational Health Math

What’s in Arts and Humanities? English & Philosophy (Pre-law) Music Art Graphic Design Entertainment Art/Animation, Illustration, Sculpture Art History Film Studies Dance Languages

What about the Social Sciences? Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies History Economics Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography Social Work and Human Services

What else? Health Science Business Administration Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing Exercise Science and Kinesiology Child Development Criminal Justice Teaching – Elementary, High School, Special Education, College/University Interdisciplinary Studies

What’s next? 1. What is the difference between a job and a career? 2. When you were growing up, what was your dream job? 3. What would you do if you could get paid to do what you loved to do? 4. If you could not get paid to do what you love, what career/job could you do to support your love? 5. If you are left alone in a bookstore, what sections/subjects do you

Other Good Assessments: Myers Briggs Personality Tests True Colors TypeFocus The Career Key The Big Five Personality Tests knowyourtype.com (93-question assessment online) Transfer & Career Services-Diana Rodriguez