Auburn University Career Center Your Major Guide

IT’S YOUR TIME

A U B U R N

U N I V E R S I T Y

C A R E E R

C E N T E R

YOUR MAJOR GUIDE

CAREER CENTER SPECIAL EVENTS a u b u rn.edu/ career/ event s I N T E R N S H I P & PA RT – T I M E J O B FA I R Fall and Spring Semesters

GET COOKIN' WITH THE CAREER CENTER Fall Semester

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Career Center 334.844.4744 303 Mary Martin Hall auburn.edu/career

CAREER EXPO: ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL Fall and Spring Semesters

CAREER EXPO: ALL MAJORS Fall and Spring Semesters

G R A D U AT E & P R O F E S S I O N A L S C H O O L F A I R Fall Semester

APPOINTMENTS 8am — 4pm Call to schedule an appt.

WALK–IN HOURS M, Th, F: Noon—4pm Tu, W: 9am-4pm

MENU

of SERVICES

CAR EER • • • •

PL ANNIN G

Career Counseling: Free one-on-one sessions Interest and Personality Assessments Resource Library: Major and career information Workshops and Events

• • • • •

C OURS E S • UNIV 1150: Exploring Majors & Careers Learning Community (freshmen only) • COUN 3000 & 3003: College to career transition (junior and senior level; offered on-campus and online)

JOB/INTERNSHIP S E A R C H P R E PA R AT I O N

JOB & I NT E RNS HI P S E ARCH job s. au b u r n . ed u

Career Coaching: Free one-on-one sessions Résumé and Cover Letter Reviews Interview Practice Resource Library: Job search guides Workshops and Events

• Tiger Recruiting Link (TRL): job/internship listings, career expos and on-campus interviews • CareerShift: Comprehensive job search and networking site • GoinGlobal: Information on working abroad • InterviewStream: Online interview practice software

D I G I TA L C A R E E R C E N T E R

S P E C I AL

• • • • • • •

• Auburn on the Hill Congressional Internships: auburn.edu/Washington • Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society: auburn.edu/dei • Peer Career Advisors: auburn.edu/career/pca

Career Center Resources: auburn.edu/career Job Search Resources: jobs.auburn.edu eResume Review: eresume@auburn.edu (Subject: eResume) "Like" us: facebook.com/career Follow us: twitter.com/aucareer View our pins: pinterest.com/aucareer Join our group: Linkedin.com (Search: Auburn University Career Center)

PROGRA MS

M E E T the C A R E E R C O U N S E L O R S

A D D Y E B U C K L E Y- B U R N E L L

TOREY PALMER

Career Counselor

MEAGHAN WEIR

Career Counselor

Career Counselor

SHARI BLACK

KYLE NIXON

WA D E M A N O R A

Career Advisor

Career Counselor

Career Advisor

303 Martin Hall Walk-In Hours Mon., Thur., Fri.: Noon - 4PM Tue., Wed.: 9AM - 4PM

334.844.4744 To schedule an appointment, call 334.844.4744

7:45AM - 4:45PM Due to accessibility limitations, please notify us if special accomodations are needed.

ICON KEY Twitter: Look for this for real tweets from employers, providing real insight from the people that hire!

Timeline: Wondering when you should start that job search or when you should do certain experiences? Look for these to take the guesswork out of when.

Quote: You’ll find student and employer prospectives with these. Recent up to date real life experiences from people going through what you are.

INFO: These provide little facts and figures often overlooked in the process pay close attention, the information will be valuable to you!

Next Steps: These helpful steps provide you action items for moving forward in your process with extra space for you to come up with your own.

Student Example: These students have successfully accomplished their goals, look to see their process and learn from their successes.

THE

COLLEGE ROAD

MAP

FRE S HMAN yea r • • • • •

Join at least one service or leadership organization Meet with a career counselor to establish needs Begin developing a professional résumé Register with Tiger Recruiting Link (TRL) at jobs.auburn.edu Look for opportunities to build your résumé (e.g. leadership, service, work, etc.)

JUNI OR y ea r • • • • •

Pursue a leadership role in a campus organization Update your résumé and have it reviewed in the Career Center Update the information in your TRL account Attend career expos and employer information sessions Complete an internship to gain career related experience

T

he career planning process takes time and small steps can be taken throughout your college education to research your options, develop your skills, build your résumé and make connections with potential employers.

There is no need to worry if you haven't completed each recommended step during the suggested year. Evaluate where you are in your own career planning process and take action now to prepare yourself for the job search.

SOPHO MORE yea r • • • •

•

Join a career related organization or professional association Research specific careers and required qualifications Attend career expos and employer information sessions Participate in job shadowing or conduct an informational interview with a professional in your field of interest.

Begin developing useful skills through part–time jobs, internships, and volunteering.

S E NI OR y ea r • • • • • •

Discuss upcoming career plans with a career counselor Update your résumé for the job search Update your TRL account and participate in on–campus interviews Attend career expos and employer information sessions Schedule a mock interview to practice interview skills Begin applying for jobs 8–10 months before graduation

KNOW YOURSELF

K E Y W O R D S Values Self-Assessment Personality Skills Interests

W

hen planning your career, you are not just looking for a job, you are looking for an occupation you will follow as your lifework. When you grab a job somewhere, it’s just a “job” or a “paycheck.” It’s not usually something you plan to do for the rest of your working life. Careers will often become a part of your identity. You might introduce yourself with your name and your field of work. “I’m Steve Smith and I’m an accountant.”

Therefore, it’s important that your career is a good “fit” for you. A field that you’ll enjoy and one where you want to continue to work, learn and become successful. But just picking a career field does not guarantee you will do well in it. Use Steve’s career, Accounting, as an example. This job often involves spending a great deal of time working with numbers, in front of a computer, often working alone and the ability to pay attention to detail.

This section will introduce you to several selfassessment strategies that can help you make an educated decision about your career path. As you

gain more specific information about yourself, you will then be able to better gauge whether or not you want to spend eight hours of your day, forty hours of your week, etc. doing these activities. If you identify yourself as being someone who enjoys being around people, wants to work outside more than inside, and are not a particularly detailed person – you would know that the accounting field might not be the career you want to pursue. Without knowing yourself, you can often make mistakes in selecting the right career direction and setting. Taking the time now to assess yourself will help you make the best use of time later when developing your résumé, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews and will help you find the right career for you.

Phyllis Bickers M.Ed., N.C.C. Former Career Counselor

self AS S E S S M E NT

W

hen deciding a major and career path, it is important to take stock of who you are, what you do well, your likes and dislikes, what you want to do in your future career, and the things you value in your life. Thinking about your personality, skills, interests and values is as easy as taking a little time to reflect on your unique experiences. This self-assessment process will enable you to more effectively target potential career fields that interest you and help you make a wise decision as you move forward with your career plan.

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Sarah M., a communication major, had a great eye for details and enjoyed working independently on projects. Always the compassionate type, Sarah thrived on helping others in her own quiet way and could quickly persuade her peers to join her mission. She was skilled in listening closely and developing written communications. Following self–assessment, Sarah decided to look into careers as a grant writer for a non–profit organization or a research specialist for a congressional office.

benefits • IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS AN D PREFERRED WAY OF DOING THI N GS • MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AB O U T T H E TYPE OF JOB YOU WANT • BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE SPECI F I C INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF A N D YOUR CAREER GOALS TO EMPL OY E RS • PURSUE JOB OPENINGS THAT W I L L B E A GREAT FIT FOR YOU

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P E R S O N AE LX EI TR Y CISE

#1 EXERCISE #4 your preferred way of doing things

Answer the following questions by selecting the option that is your most natural and preferred behavior.

DO YOU GAIN ENERGY FROM‌   t h e

external world of people, action, & things?

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INTERESTS things you enjoy doing or that appeal to you

E X E R C I S E : Rank the following areas of occupational interest (developed by psychologist John Holland) from 1 (most describes your interests) to 6 (least describes your interest).

REALISTIC

THE DOERS: Enjoy practical & physical; prefer action to discussion; works with hands.

I N V E S T I G AT I V E

THE THINKERS: Enjoy gathering information & performing analysis; appreciates intellectual activities

ARTISTIC

THE CREATORS: Enjoy self-expression & aesthetics; prefer less structured environments

SOCIAL

THE HELPERS: Enjoy working with people in a helping role such as teaching, training & counseling

ENTERPRISING

THE PERSUADERS: Enjoy working with people in a managerial role; prefer to lead

CONVENTIONAL

THE ORGANIZERS: Enjoy details & accuracy; prefer structured environments

the internal world of concepts & ideas?

D O Y O U G AT H E R I N F O R M AT I O N ‌ i n a c o n c r e t e m a n n e r, w i t h f a c t s & details?    i n a n a b s t r a c t m a n n e r, w i t h c o n c e p t s , meaning, and patterns?

ARE YOUR DECISIONS GUIDED BY‌ logic and objective analysis?    personal, social and subjective values?

WHEN CONDUCTING YOUR LIFE, DO YOU PREFER‌ o r d e r, c l o s u r e , & s t r u c t u r e ?    f l e x i b i l i t y, o p e n n e s s , & a f r e e f l o w o f information?

A

fter completing the exercises above, begin looking for patterns and themes in your responses. These patterns are clues to the types of industries, work environments, and job duties that you might find fulfilling and find success. Think about

how your personality, skills, interests and values can work together to make you a valuable employee and imagine your ideal work setting and employer based on this information.

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SKILLS your abilities & areas of strength

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Think about 8-10 skills or areas of strength that you possess using the sample list as an example.

Place a star by the ones that will be beneficial in your field of interest. Add additional skills that will be beneficial & need more attention to develop.

VA L U E S principles and beliefs you find important

E X E R C I S E : Rank the following list of values in order of importance to you. Use the blank spaces to add other values beyond those included in the list.

C R E AT I V I T Y VA R I E T Y R E C O G NI T I O N

ser vi ng oth ers

R E L AT I O NS HI P S

m anaging oth ers' w ork fixi ng br oken equip men t cr eating a w ork of art i nfl uenci ng oth ers to agree w ith yo u m anaging a d atabase of informat io n com m uni catin g clearly w ith others

I NF L UE NC I NG O T HE R S WO R K L O C AT I O N (indo o rs v s. o utd oor s) S TA B I L I T Y R I S K -TA K I NG I ND E P E ND E NC E F I NA NC I A L C O MF O RT C HA L L E NG E S HO NE S T Y

balanci ng comp eting priorities

NEED MORE HELP? Schedule an appointment to meet with a career counselor to discuss self–assessment in more detail.

The Career Center offers several assessments to help you with this process and counselors are available to help you synthesize the information gained.

Helpful Resources

TypeFocus typefocus.com | access code: au7788

O*NET

onetonline.org

Occupational Outlook Handbook bls.gov/ooh/

FOCUS

focuscareer2.com | access code: auburn

Candid Career candidcareer.com

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

K E Y W O R D S WCIDWAMI? Occupational Outlook Handbook O*NET Job Shadowing Informational Interview

D

iscovering new career opportunities can be exciting but is an ongoing process that may take some time. Some students will have a major they want to pursue and need help exploring careers for which the major will prepare them. A college major will not always dictate a career path and there are many options from which to choose. Others will want to find a career interest and choose a major that will help them achieve that goal.

Either way, the Career Center is here to help you make an informed decision and connect you with the resources needed to choose a path that is right for you. This section will show you how to research occupations based on assessment results, major, or industry, and prepare you to learn additional insight through job shadowing, informational interviewing, and related experience.

Addye Buckley-Burnell, M.Ed., LPC, NCC Assistant Director of Career Development 

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY MAJOR? E

xploring the opportunities associated with your particular major is essential in ensuring that you have made a solid and informed selection. Though looking in The Bulletin to make sure the coursework for your particular major is something that you would enjoy and not find boring is a good start, that is by no means the end of your research and exploration.

This concept inherently makes sense. Choosing a major based solely on coursework is not wise.

You will be spending 4-5 years in classwork for a career lasting 30-40 years. If all you look at is which elective you will be able to take senior year, you have done a disservice to yourself. You will likely also want to look at the various career opportunities associated with that particular pathway.

Today, this is not a difficult process. In the Age of Google, there are unlimited amounts of information available to you with carefully selected searches.

Traditional exploration opportunties are available as well. Speak with a career counselor in the Career Center to get you going on the right track; reach out to a favorite faculty member in your field to get an insider's perspective; and/or ask a family friend that has a job similar to what you want to do to see if it really is as grand as it seems from the outside.

Choosing a major is really just the start, from there the possibilities are numerous.

"Has it happened yet? Have you been asked THE QUESTION? You know the one; it's the question that cuts to the core of your existence, the question that haunts you pretty much from the time you decide to be a college student to months, even years, after you graduate. It starts so innocently. Someone asks what your major is, so you tell them.

There's a slight pause. Then comes THE QUESTION: 'What are you going to do with that?'"

— You Majored in What? by Katherine Brooks

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

OPTION 1: bu s ines s Sales Customer Service • Corporate Communication • •

Source:

OPTION 2: pub l i c r e l at i o ns Corporate Public Affairs • Development • Event Coordination •

c o m mu n ica t ion ?

OPTION 3: m ed i a • • •

Writing Publishing Media Sales

OPTION 4: n o n - p ro f i t Grant Writing Volunteer Coordination • Management

OPTION 5: g o v ern m en t Community Affairs Legislative Assistance • Conflict Negotiation

OPTION 6: h i gh er ed u ca t ion Student Affairs University Communications • Development

•

•

•

•

•

•

What Can I Do With a Major In...? Career Center website: auburn.edu/career

RESEARCH

Researching your field is not as hard as you might think. The internet and a bevy of on campus resources make what once whas a cumbersome task into a breeze.

Here are a few of our favorite resources for making that research seem not so bad. auburn.edu/bulletin

AUBURN UNIVERSITY COURSE BULLETIN

Lists every major the university provides and the coursework associated with it. Remember coursework is not the only thing you want to consider, but consider it you should. bls.gov/ooh

OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK Great resource for looking at employment projections; objective information regarding tasks on the job; training and education required; and links to on-point outside resources.

onetonline.org

O*NET Allows you to search by interest area, work activities and education required for a variety of positions.

This resource has very in-depth information about occupations.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN? (WCIDWAMI)

auburn.edu/career/choose

This resource shows you almost every major that Auburn has to offer, and lays out multiple paths you could go down professionally based upon that particular major selection.

CANDID CAREER

auburn.edu/career/choose

Use this resource to view video informational interviews.

PART–TIME JOB

jobs.auburn.edu

Not only a great way to gain some extra spending money but, if related, also a great way to try out a field and see if it is a good fit for you.

JOB SHADOWING

303 Mary Martin Hall

Want to know what you could be doing as a doctor, engineer, veterinarian, accountant, etc.? What better way that to see what one of those professions do. Schedule a job shadowing experience to see firsthand how professionals in your field of interest work day to day.

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

303 Mary Martin Hall

Does job shadowing sound a little intimidating? Well maybe you should try an informational interview. This is your chance to ask that professional all the questions you have not been able to discover in your research and get the inside scoop.

INTERNSHIP/CO–OP

auburn.edu/experience

Likely the best way to explore without committing to a full time position. These opportunities really allow you to see firsthand what a field can be like and the kind of work you can look forward to being involved with.

Now that you have the research phase under your belt it is time to start exploring. Think of research as discovering the possibilities and the exploration as trying them out. Just like researching there are many opportunities to try things out.

EXPLORATION

GATHER MORE

IN F ORM AT I ON C A RE E R PAT H I N G AUBURN.EDU/CAREER/CHOOSE

E

xploring your options is not just limited to the traditional methods. Let's take a look at Katie B., a savvy student who turned her LinkedIn account into an exploration and job attainment tool.

Katie was a Human Development and Family Studies major. Katie did not want to go down the popular HDFS pathway of counseling, but really liked the coursework that her major was exposing her to and did not want to change.

Having recently joined LinkedIn, Katie wanted to see what people with HDFS degrees were doing.

After searching Human Development and Family Studies, she was able to connect with someone in Human Resources. After the initial connection, Katie and her contact set up an informational interview to learn more.

Katie identified that HR was something she would be interested in doing, and her degree would be complementary. She was able to obtain a related internship and a part-time job in the community related to the field.

With the assistance of her initial LinkedIn connection and their network, Katie was able to secure gainful employment in Human Resources and still use the HDFS degree that she enjoyed so much.

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sample student timeline

F R E S HM AN f a ll

s prin g

Explored options Joined campus  organizations • Acclimated to   campus and rigors • Met with a career   counselor to   discuss majors. • •

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S O P H O M O R E Started looking for   summer part–time  work • Lined up job   shadows for  summer • Brought rÊsumÊ to   Career Center •

sum m er Job shadowed   several different   industry individuals • Worked in part–time  position •

  Scott T.: Finance Major, Spanish minor

f a l l • Carried over   summer job to fall • Developed time   management skills

sp ri n g Confirmed major  selection • Secured early   internship for  summer •

summer Studied  abroad • Interned •

JOB SH A DOW I NG

I N FOR M ATIONAL I N TERVIEW AUBURN.EDU/CAREER/CHOOSE

AUBURN.EDU/CAREER/JOBSHADOW

T

he informational interview is likely one of the most undervalued resources for learning and developing an understanding of a career field. This is an excellent opportunity to speak with someone who is in the area of interest that you are considering. Reading about your field, doing research online, and meeting with a career counselor are all great steps, but at a certain point, you must begin to see how a position may be in the real world. Things to try out: • The Career Center can help facilitate an informational interview for you. Drop by 303 Mary Martin Hall to find out more.

• Try asking: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least about your job?

What is one thing you wish you would have known going into your field? How did you get here? What would you have done differently?

• Too nervous to start with an informational interview right out of the gate? Try Candid Career. This resource provides short, concise interviews with professionals in a variety of fields. Watch one or two in between class or marathon several on a slow weekend.

J

ob shadowing is often only discussed amongst the Pre-Health students. Rightly so, it is difficult to obtain a Medical/Therapy/Dental school interview without having significant shadowing experience, so start early. However, job shadowing is not just for those individuals.

Job shadowing is for all.

A good job shadowing experience will allow you to watch, observe, and experience firsthand what it is like to be a professional in any given field. Job shadowing can help you to gain a lot of firsthand knowledge in a relatively quick amount of time. It is better to find out freshman year that Accounting isn't for you because of one shadowing experience, than to find out after your senior internship. As with informational interviewing the Career Center is happy to help facilitate your job shadow experience. Come by in 303 Mary Martin Hall for more information.

J UNI OR f al l Attended Career Expo for networking • Started expanding professional wardrobe • Began major coursework •

S E N I O R sprin g Carried over part–time job • Secured leadership position within organization • Attended Career Expo for additional networking •

su m m er Expanded role for part–time position • Cultivated networking relationships leading into senior year •

f a l l Attended Career Expo to secure full–time job • Completed graduation check with academic advisor •

sp r in g Negotiated position offer • Secured housing for future employment • Graduated •

YOUR NEXT STEPS Meet with a Career Counselor to discuss career plans and goals Call 334.844.4744 for an appointment*

Complete the TypeFocus assessment to gain personal insight into career direction typefocus.com | access code: au7788

Explore "What Can I Do With a Major In...?" resource auburn.edu/career/choose

View Candid Career video informational interviews auburn.edu/career/choose

Visit jobs.auburn.edu to explore internship and part-time job opportunities

Shadow or interview a professional in your career field of interest

Join at least one social or service club & one professional or leadership organization auburn.edu/experience

Create a new rĂŠsumĂŠ auburn.edu/career/resume

*To schedule an appointment in an accessible location, please call.

Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.

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