- I'm trying to figure out what to do with my major
- I have an occupation in mind and want to know more about
it
I want to find an occupation that uses my skills
If you fit into one of the above categories, read on. You will
learn how to make the right choice when choosing your career.
Steps to Take
Step 1: Learn About
Yourself
The first step in learning about careers is learning more about
yourself and your interests, skills and goals. You should be able
answer the following questions:
- What industry(s) am I interested in?
- What am I good at?
- What type of activities do I enjoy?
- Do I prefer a formal or informal environment?
- Do I want to work in groups or alone?
- What kind of salary am I looking for?
- Do I work best at a steady or fast pace?
If you are having difficulty with these questions or are unclear
about your skills, interests and values, make an appointment with a
Career Advisor.
They may suggest an Interest Inventory such as FOCUS,
an on-line career planning tool, to help you learn more about
yourself.
Step 2: Gather Information About Different
Careers
Once you are comfortable knowing what you are looking for, the
next step is to begin compiling information about different fields
to see which closely fit your skills, interests and values.
There are many ways to learn about careers. Below you will find
several methods, choose those that you are most comfortable
with.
Read about your career field
Talk to people in your career
field
- Access our COACH (Count
on Alumni for Career Help) Program through St. John's
CareerLink. When you meet with your COACH, you will be asking
them questions about their career and asking for advice about
yours. Learn more about this process of
informational interviewing.
- Talk to your professors
- Talk to your family and friends to find out what type of work
they do
- Join academic student organizations on the Queens,
Staten Island or Manhattan campuses
- Join professional
associations
- Attend University Career Services employer sponsored
events
- Attend career and job fairs to meet, and speak to
employers
Step 3: Gain experience in different
fields
Obtaining experience in your career field is an integral
part of your college experience. The more you are able to apply
what you have learned in class, the more marketable you will be to
an employer upon graduation.
This early experience can also be a stepping stone to your full
time career. Many employers hire students part time or as interns
to build their applicant pool of full time employees. At the very
least, the people you meet during these experiences can help build
your network for future employment.
Experience can be obtained
through: