Peak Performance: Success In College And Beyond Chapter 14: Explore Majors and Careers

Learning Outcomes Explore majors and careers Determine your values, interests, abilities, and skills Assemble a Career Development Portfolio Prepare for the job-hunting process Take charge of your career development

Focus on ACCOMPLISHMENTS, not entitlement. Success Principle 14 Focus on ACCOMPLISHMENTS, not entitlement.

Connecting School and Job Success Exploring and Choosing a Major Assess yourself Meet with a career counselor at your school Talk with your support system Explore through college classes

Connecting School and Job Success Explore through the course catalog Go to the academic department Take classes or workshops Gain experience Be creative with your major Relax and reflect

Connecting School and Job Success Values Interests Abilities Skills “Mostly I just followed my inner feelings and passions…and kept going to where it got warmer and warmer until it finally got hot…Everybody has talent. It’s just a matter of moving around until you’ve discovered what it is.” George Lucas Director

Connecting School and Job Success Exploring Careers Career center Library Professional organizations Your network Government organizations

Building a Career Development Portfolio Your career development portfolio helps you… Plan and design your educational program and postgraduate learning Describe how your experiences have helped you grow professionally Document skills and accomplishments in and out of the classroom

Building a Career Development Portfolio Link what you can do with what an employer is looking for Identify areas you want to augment or improve Record and organize experiences for your resumé and job interviews

Building a Career Development Portfolio Express talents creatively and artistically Justify college credit for prior learning, military, internship, or life experiences Prepare for a job change

Building a Career Development Portfolio When Should You Start Your Portfolio? The sooner the better Make copies of papers or other coursework

Building a Career Development Portfolio How to Organize and Assemble Your Portfolio Three-ring notebook Sheet protectors to hold documents and work samples Labels and tabs Box to store work samples and information

Building a Career Development Portfolio Elements of Your Portfolio Title or cover page Contents page Introduction List of significant life experiences

Building a Career Development Portfolio Analysis of accomplishments Inventory of skills and competencies Inventory of personal qualities Documentation Work philosophy and goals Resumé

Building a Career Development Portfolio Samples of work Summary of transcripts Credentials, certificates, and workshops Bibliography Appendix Portfolio cover letter “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” Henry Kaiser Industrialist

Building a Career Development Portfolio Overcome the Barriers to Portfolio Development It’s a lot of work I don’t have the time I wouldn’t know where to start I’ll do it when I’m ready for a job I don’t have enough work samples

Submitting a Cover Letter Planning the Job Hunt Submitting a Cover Letter It is a written introduction It should state the job you are applying for It should state what you can contribute to the company

Planning the Job Hunt Interviewing Be punctual Be professional Dress appropriately Learn about the company

Planning the Job Hunt Learn about the position Relate your experience to the job Be honest Focus on how you can benefit the company Be poised and relaxed

Planning the Job Hunt Maintain comfortable eye contact Practice interviewing Anticipate question types Close the interview on a positive note Send a thank-you letter Determine what’s next

Take Charge of Your Career Conduct a personal performance review Keep your portfolio and resumé up to date Watch job trends

Take Charge of Your Career Look over the horizon Further your education Keep networking Be your own “career coach”

Take Charge of Your Career Focus on your values, positive personal qualities, and mission in life to become a true peak performer. “Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes it obstructs your vision.” Hsi-Tang Chih Tsang Zen master

Peak Performance: Success In College And Beyond Chapter 14: Explore Majors and Careers