Uncovering the Myths About Majors and Careers

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE AGENDA ICEBREAKER MYTH AND FACT ACTIVITY THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNSHIPS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS STUDENT PROFILES UC RESOURCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES STUDENTS

Let us go back in time

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE At the age of 18, you were… Turn to your neighbor and ask them the following questions: –At age 18, where were you in the career decision making process? –What resources did you look for to help you with that process?

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE You are one of the most important sources of career information for your students

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE

Fact or Myth # 1 A degree in biology, chemistry, or another science is your student’s only preparation for medical school

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Myth

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE FACT The Association of American Medical Colleges has data to suggest that your major simply does not matter when it comes to getting accepted to medical school. According to their data, only 51 percent of students who enrolled in medical school in 2012 majored in biological sciences. That means the remaining medical school matriculants majored in humanities, math or statistics, physical sciences, social sciences or specialized health sciences. US News and World Report, 2013

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact or myth # 2 Making a decision on a major as soon as possible helps students focus on studies and makes their college experience more satisfying

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Myth

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact Early major choice is associated with more frequent major change: 80% of students change their major at least once, on average at least three times over the course of their college career Major exploration can lead to: Knowledge of all the options Identifying a major that fits interests and skills National Center for Education Statistics, 2013

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact or myth # 3 Specific training and experience in one’s chosen field are the most important variable in finding a job after graduation

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Myth

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact NACE Job Outlook 2014: Top 10 qualities/skills 1. Ability to work in a team6. Analytical skills 2. Problem solving skills7. Technical knowledge related to jobs 3. Ability to plan, organize and prioritized 8. Computer skills 4. Communication skills (Verbal)9. Communication skills (written) 5. Ability to obtain and process

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact or myth # 4 Internships are a great way to gain real world experience and often lead to job offers

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Fact

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE

Keep in mind… Employers are often more concerned about the SKILLS than the specific major Companies are willing to train newly graduated college students in any major for specific jobs (e.g. Rotational Programs) Some companies or organizations might be looking for specific skills, experience and abilities

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Connecting Major and Jobs Many people end up working in careers that are not directly related to their majors. Why? –Most jobs are NOT major specific or will consider any major –People’s interest change as they develop –People want to study one thing but work in a different area –Most majors are theoretical –Most majors teach very transferrable skills –Additional experiences paved their career paths

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Selecting a major is important

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Encourage students to gain skills and experience What is experience? –Campus clubs/organizations –Internships –Work Experience –Volunteer –Research –Leadership Roles –Projects

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Let us look at examples of students major to career path

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE OCTOBER 21, 2014

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE

Banking Intern with Stock Brokerage & Securities Firm B.A. In Rhetoric & Communication Intern w/ Non-Profit Organization through UC Washington DC Program Assistant for Scholarship Fund Director for Educational Program

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Nutrition Biology Major Volunteer at Student-Run Medical Clinic B.S. In Nutrition Biology Participant in Biology Scholars Program Undergraduate Researcher Medical Student

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Career center recommendations 1 st yearResume, Campus Involvement and Major Exploration 2 nd yearNetworking and Interview Skills 3 rd yearCareer Fairs, Internships and Graduate School Planning 4 th /5 th yearCareer Fairs and On-Campus Interview Program

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE What resources are available to UC undergraduate students?

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE All UC campuses have a career center CounselingNetworking/online Career Planning/assessments Employer Panels & Networking Skill Building WorkshopsCareer Fairs Graduate School PlanningOn-Campus Interviews Resume/Interview Preparation Online Job & Internships Resources

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE UC Career Centers Websites CampusNamewebsite UC BerkeleyCareer Centerhttps://career.berkeley.edu/ UC DavisInternship and Career Center UC IrvineCareer Centerhttp:// UC Los AngelesCareer Centerhttp://career.ucla.edu/ UC MercedCenter for Career & Professional Advancement UC RiversideCareer Centerhttp://careers.ucr.edu/ UC San DiegoCareer Services Centerhttp://career.ucsd.edu/ UC Santa BarbaraUCSB Career Serviceshttp://career.ucsd.edu/ UC Santa CruzCareer Centerhttp://careers.ucsc.edu/

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Additional Resources Career Advice Videos 4&partid=0&apass=/j8bKfreUnYuxo/GZaXXdQ==&id=1149 &pref= Career Guidehttp://career.ucla.edu/Files/PDF/CareerGuide/2013/CG_20 13_2014_Chapter2_ pdf Career Maphttp:// Exploring your major

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE Special thanks to the committee that worked on this presentation Allison Keller:Career Counselor, University of California Irvine Brian O’Bruba:Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Life & Director, Center for Career & Professional Advancement, UC Merced Ebony Lewis:Associate Director of Admissions, Staff Advisory Board, UC Santa Cruz Frank Ramirez:M.Ed, Assistant Director for Counseling & Career, Development, UC Riverside Luis Esparza:Program Coordinator, Internship and Career Center, UC Davis Monica Ballón-Kalinowski:Career Counselor, Coordinator, Life & Physical Sciences, Pre-Health Career Services, UC Santa Barbara Nancy Alderete:Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions UC Davis – Southern California Region Pamela Blanco:Transfer Opportunity Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Admissions, UC Davis Patricia Garcia:M.S. Assistant Director/Transfer Service Coordinator, UCLA Undergraduate Admission Sheryl Blackshire:Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions UC Davis, Southern California Region

Thank you