What is your major? It’s a question you hear everywhere you go. Your parents ask, your friends ask, even social media asks this question. There is no running away from it. Career decision making is important and is a process that has several steps.

Step One: Do some self-discovery. This can be accomplished through career discovery tools such as Focus 2 found in your MySPC. To access Focus 2 login to MySPC and click on the MyCareer tab and proceed to using Focus 2. After you take the five assessments combine your results to see the top careers that correspond to your answers. Once you have completed this tool make an appointment with a Career Specialist on your campus. Your Career Center has additional tools to help with your career decision process.

Step Two: Research careers that interest you. Two sites that are great resources:
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Occupational Information Network

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will give you information on required education, expected growth of the occupation, expected salary range, and much more. The Occupational Information Network site provides state specific information along with skills and abilities needed for the specific occupation and traditional daily tasks for the position.

Step Three: Informational Interviews. Find professionals in your field(s) of interest and interview them. Asking friends and family for contacts in these fields is a good way to start. You can also use job search engines such as monster.com, indeed.com, simplyhired.com and reports such as Hoover Premium (found in SPC library services A-Z database link) to find employers who have these positions. Call and email the company or specific individual to make the connection and ask if you could conduct an informational interview. The goal is to ask multiple professionals in the industry with different backgrounds and work environments. If you need help with questions to ask, please see a career professional on your campus.

Step Four: Update your plan. When you have made a career decision, see an Academic Advisor on your campus to update your program plan and create or update your “My Learning Plan.” This is a tool on MySPC that allows you to plan your required classes. When you are finished with your plan you will have a worksheet that you can print that outlines what classes you should take each semester and a projected graduation date.

Congratulations on making one of the biggest decisions of your life. You are on an exciting path and we are here to assist you and cheer you on!

Follow Career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc