Career Exploration

General Career Planning Information

Career Exploration

Effective college and career planning starts with knowing one’s self – strengths, values, interests, and skills.  Matching them to work environments produces a “career sweet spot.”  

Research suggests that success in college is related more to closely matching personality and college majors than anything else! 

Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman, & Johnson, Personnel Psychology, 51 (2005), 281-342

HOLLAND CODE 

Learn your personal characteristics here.  Then rank them as #1, #2, and #3 here to identify occupations that match your interest areas.

MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI) (and table types)

1. Identify the personalized four-letter MBTI code (i.e., ESFP, INTJ, etc.).
2. Then Google search “ESFP careers” in an area of interest such as medical, business, trades, teaching, etc. (“INTJ construction careers”)
3. Add the primary Holland Code characteristic (R-I-A-S-E-C) to the Google career search (“ESFP realistic business careers”, and so forth).
4. If there was indecision for determining the primary Holland Code, try the other. Do the same for any MBTI letter pairs.
   NOTE: Your now closing in on your “career sweet spot”!

THE STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY – The most fulfilling careers match one’s personal interests.  This resource provides a way to identify and assess them.

LEARNING STYLE – Many people use a combination of learning styles.  Others learn best by using just one. Know your learning style!

• Visual
• Auditory
• Kinesthetic

OCCUPATION OUTLOOK HANDBOOK – The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.

COLLEGE CAMPUS VISIT

In order to choose the best college to attend, determine which seems to be the best “fit.”  Making a college visit and touring the campus can be pivotal in a student’s decision to apply to a particular school.

COLLEGE MAJORS AND CAREER SEARCH – Browse major and career profiles using specific categories, or search by keyword or interest.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

Honestly assess your personal characteristics below to determine which type of recommendation letter will be the most effective.

NOTE: Recommendation letters are most effective when they 1) reference previous successes/leadership/service, etc. and 2) explain or reinforce areas of weakness.