• Let your students know that you are available to talk to them about exploring majors and careers.
• Listen to students’ interests and help them identify their skills.
• Encourage students to participate in out-of-class activities, job shadowing, internships, and volunteer experiences related to their interests and skills.
• Provide students with clear information regarding standards for your department.
• Have information such as articles, pamphlets, and web sites related to your departmental area available to students.
• Provide opportunities for learning about careers, such as hosting guest speakers.
• Communicate to students the importance of self-assessment and career planning.
• Encourage life-long learning and development of transferable skills, to better compete in today’s changing job market.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS MAJOR? This link on the Career Services web site details possible occupations in different majors as well as possible work settings, preparation strategies, titles of books, names of professional organizations, and related web sites.

"Do You Really Mean Business?"

Texas State offers a wide variety of business-related majors; many which are outside of the College of Business Administration. Accordingly, the university's academic and career advisors have compiled some of these business-related majors in an information packet, available through the link above.

Faculty and Staff can communicate to Students the Qualifications Employers seek in job candidates: (www.jobweb.com)

• Communication Skills
• Honesty/ Integrity
• Teamwork Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Motivation/ Initiative
• Strong Work Ethic
• Analytical Skills
• Flexibility/ Adaptability
• Computer Skills
• Self-confidence

 

ASSISTING FRESHMEN

This is a period of gaining greater AWARENESS for students. They should begin to explore different academic and personal areas. Some questions that can help students in this process include:

•   What are my interests?
•   What are my work values?
•   What are my abilities and what is my potential to learn new skills?
•   What are my personality preferences?

Career Services resources available include career counseling, assessments, and DISCOVER®. DISCOVER® is a comprehensive self-guided, self-paced career exploration software program. The program includes sections on self-assessment, planning your education, choosing occupations, and work preparation. Faculty and Staff information about DISCOVER® is available online through this link.

ASSISTING SOPHOMORES

This is a period of EXPLORATION. Encourage students to explore educational requirements of occupations in an area of career interest. Some questions that can help students in this process include:

• What kinds of jobs will this major prepare me for?
• What course preparation and work experience are employers looking for?

Career Services resources available include job shadowing, summer job-fair, and internships fair, among others.

ASSISTING JUNIORS

This is a period of FOCUS as the decision of a major is much more formal and students begin to take upper-level courses and begin to narrow their career options. Students should begin to think about:

• Actively participating in related student organizations
• Attending Job Fairs
• Seeking an internship, career related job, and/or job shadowing opportunities

Career Services resources available include resume critiques, special programs, and planning, among others.

ASSISTING SENIORS

The JOB SEARCH process can be the culmination of their academic career. Some students may question their career paths and there will be increased levels of anxiety regarding the job search. Students should consider:

• Exploring graduate or professional school programs
• Updating their resume and having it critiqued by Career Services
• Updating their Jobs4Cats profile
• Actively participating in Job Fairs
• Attending workshops to develop interviewing and other professional skills, such as Corporate Workshops
• Spending time researching employers or organizations for which they would be interested in working for.

Career Services resources available include mock interviews, Hoovers Online (online company research), WinWay Resume (resume building software), 24-hour resume critiques, and job search strategies, among others.