How to Make a Career How to Make a Career Decision Decision

If you are Undecided about your If you are Undecided about your Major?Major?

J.DyrekJ.Dyrek

What is a Major?What is a Major?

a subject or field of study chosen by a a subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent his or her principle student to represent his or her principle interest and upon which a large share of interest and upon which a large share of his or her efforts are concentratedhis or her efforts are concentrated

J.DyrekJ.Dyrek

Major MythsMajor Myths

I’ll get my general education courses out I’ll get my general education courses out of the way first.of the way first.The best way to find out about majors is to The best way to find out about majors is to take courses.take courses.The major I choose now will determine my The major I choose now will determine my lifelong career.lifelong career.

J.DyrekJ.Dyrek

UndecidedUndecided

“…“…it’s better to remain Undecided than to it’s better to remain Undecided than to jump into a major, or multiple majors, for jump into a major, or multiple majors, for no other reason than “everyone else is no other reason than “everyone else is doing it”.doing it”.

The Princeton ReviewThe Princeton Review

You’re not alone…You’re not alone…

Studies suggest that it is typical for Studies suggest that it is typical for undergraduates to try out 4 or 5 majors undergraduates to try out 4 or 5 majors before arriving at a decision.before arriving at a decision.

University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

Major = Career?Major = Career?

Not always true!Not always true!

A major can prepare you for many career A major can prepare you for many career paths.paths.

Focusing on a CareerFocusing on a Career

50% of college graduates report a close 50% of college graduates report a close relationship between their major and their relationship between their major and their job. job.

University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

Lets talk about…Lets talk about…

LifeStyleLifeStyle

AbilitiesAbilities

InterestsInterests

PersonalityPersonality

WorksheetWorksheet

Be honestBe honest

Be realisticBe realistic

Famous People & MajorsFamous People & Majors

Chevy ChaseChevy Chase EnglishEnglish

Glenn CloseGlenn Close Anthropology & TheaterAnthropology & Theater

Bill CosbyBill Cosby Physical EducationPhysical Education

Kevin CostnerKevin Costner Business AdministrationBusiness Administration

John ElwayJohn Elway EconomicsEconomics

Patrick EwingPatrick Ewing Fine ArtsFine Arts

Bryant Gumbel Bryant Gumbel Russian Area StudiesRussian Area Studies

Michael JordanMichael Jordan GeographyGeography

Janet RenoJanet Reno ChemistryChemistry

Maria ShriverMaria Shriver American StudiesAmerican Studies

Need Assistance?Need Assistance?

Make an appointment with a Counselor Make an appointment with a Counselor 630-942-2259 or SRC 2044630-942-2259 or SRC 2044

Register for Education 1105, Career Register for Education 1105, Career Development (2 credit elective)Development (2 credit elective)

Register for a Career Inventory Workshop Register for a Career Inventory Workshop (listed under “COUNS” in the online Class (listed under “COUNS” in the online Class Schedule)Schedule)

In the EndIn the End

No person, no class, no assessment, can No person, no class, no assessment, can tell you what to major in or choose for a tell you what to major in or choose for a career. It is a decision that comes from career. It is a decision that comes from self exploration…counselors, self exploration…counselors, assessments, and classes can be tools to assessments, and classes can be tools to help you explore a possible career or help you explore a possible career or major.major.

J.DyrekJ.Dyrek