Career Development

Designing the path to a rewarding, fulfilling career isn't a one-time occurrence. Career development is a dynamic process, which occurs over your lifetime. Our rapidly changing global economy and changes in our own life circumstances drive us to continually make career and educational decisions. ASU Career Services is committed to supporting your career development by dispelling myths and assisting you with making informed academic and career preparation decisions.

Career and Academic Myths and Facts

• Myth #1: An interest inventory will tell me what I should do.
  Fact: Interest inventories are pretty good at measuring interests. However, the career decision-maker also needs to consider abilities, values, experiences, and any number of practical considerations (expenses, opportunities, training requirements, family issues, geographical location, etc.). An interest inventory may assist you in a thorough career decision-making process - but alone it is rarely sufficient.

• Myth #2: Indecision is abnormal.
  Fact: Indecision is normal. Different people take different amounts of time to make career decisions. Indecision is only a problem when you choose to do nothing about it. If you are engaging in a number of 'career exploratory activities' you are on the right track!

• Myth #3: I need to decide on a career today.
  Fact: This is a myth perpetuated by those who think that career decision-making is an event rather than a process. Making a decision prematurely, or based on inaccurate or insufficient information, is invariably a mistake. Even if it means changing your academic plans, give yourself the time necessary to make an intelligent and unrushed career plan.

• Myth #4: Successful people always know exactly what they are going to do in the future.
  Fact: There is no relationship between the time in life one makes a cereer decision, and one's ultimate success and happiness in that career. Some know early, others know later in life. Many 'successful' people switch careers numerous times before settling on the one that's right for them. If there is one quality successful people seem to have, it's perseverance.

• Myth #5: A college degree assures me a great career.
  Fact: All a college degree assures you of is a college degree. However, a college degree combined with good career planning and preparation, greatly increases your chance of obaining a rewarding career.

• Myth #6: Once I choose a career I'm stuck with it for life.
  Fact: The average adult doesn't settle on a career until some time in their 30's. Your interests, values, abilities, and aspirations may be different at ages 20, 30, 40, and beyond. If so, you'll change and modify your career accordingly. Changing careers is only a problem if you think it's a problem.

• Myth #7: My career must please my parents, friends, neighbors, etc.
  Fact: The approval of others is nice, but it's not essential to your career well-being. If others care about you, they'll probably be delighted if your career brings you happiness and fulfillment. It's unfortunate if others aren't pleased with what you're doing, but ultimately, it's your decision.

• Myth #8: All my needs can be met in the workplace.
  Fact: You have other needs that can be fulfilled through vocational activities - social, familial, recreational, spiritual, political, cultural, and so forth. You will never find a career that will meet all your needs, but you can spend a lifetime unsuccessfully looking for one!

Career Planning Strategies

There is a structure to career development that involves a process of exploring options, gathering information, testing possibilities, and acquiring relevant educational and professional experience to help you compete in the job market. The key to successful career development is to gain accurate information to support you in making the best academic and career-related decisions.

Career Services offers strategies to help you in this career development process. And, below you can find checklists for each of your four years at ASU.

1. Choose a major that you think you will genuinely like.

Selecting a major that matches a student's interests often results in better grades and a more enjoyable academic experience.

Resources:

• Review and read about the broad array of ASU's undergraduate degree programs. View program descriptions, major requirements and career opportunities.
• Work with your academic advisor to learn more about courses, internship requirements and academic success strategies.

Some majors prepare you to enter a specific career field, such a nursing, engineering and architecture. Many others, however, are not designed to prepare you for a specific career. Keep in mind that both types of majors can help you gain entry to an array of careers. Therefore, making a decision on a major, while certainly important, shouldn't be viewed as a lifelong commitment.

2. Explore and learn more about who you are as a person.

This includes identifying your areas of interests, abilities, talents, personal traits and desired lifestyle. Information about you will assist you with selecting a major and career.

Resources:

• Consider taking career assessments or tests.
• Conduct a personal reflection of past academic success, work experiences, interests, career dreams and accomplishments.
• Meet with a career advisor at Career Services.

3. Investigate the career fields, jobs and industries that are the most interesting.

Research information such as salary, job functions and responsibilities, anticipated job growth and qualifications.

Resources:

• Attend career and job fairs to talk with knowledgeable employers.
• Use Google to search careers of interest.
• Use ASU career services centers to access career information and job descriptions.
• Interview someone currently working in the field, such as a neighbor, family friend, or ASU alumnus or alumna.
• Volunteer with an organization or job shadow someone to experience the career field.
• Inquire about whether or not your career possibilities require a graduate or professional degree and prepare a timeline for the application process and admission.

4. Test-drive your tentative career choice by doing an internship.

Internships are extremely beneficial, because they build your resume, develop a network of professional contacts and increase your marketability to future employers.

Resources:

• Register and upload your resume with Career Services through Sun Devil CareerLink. Employers use this system to identify candidates for internship and full-time professional positions.
• Attend career and job fairs to identify internship opportunities.
• Consult with your academic advisor, department internship coordinator or faculty to use department-specific resources.

5. Build a strong network of professional contacts.

These people can provide advice and information regarding your career preparation, academic choices and career search.

6. Start early.

Freshman year is not too early to start this information-gathering process. It's the most interesting ongoing research project you'll ever have.

Career Services is available to you at all four ASU campuses. Please call to schedule an appointment or stop by and visit us. Click on the campus location to the right for more information including mailing address, hours of operation, a staff directory and unique campus services.

Career Checklists

Here are checklists to use as general career guides during each year of your university experience.

First Year Checklist (PDF): This list will help you navigate your freshman year with respect to your individual career development--from choosing the right major to getting involved in student clubs and organizations. Start meeting new people. Everyone you know is part of your network. Become familiar with the services and resources that Career Services has available to you over the next four years.

Second Year Checklist (PDF): Begin to craft your resume and attend a resume-writing workshop. Start clearly identifying your career goals. Print this checklist for excellent tips to use during your sophomore year to help you stay focused on reaching your career-related goals.

Third Year Checklist (PDF): Have you registered with Sun Devil CareerLink yet? If not, now is the time to do it. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor early in your junior year to develop strategies for landing an internship. Take on a leadership role in a club or organization. This checklist gives great tips for what an upperclassman should be doing to stay on track.

Fourth Year Checklist (PDF): As a senior, you should be refining your job search strategy. Career Services can provide with you a lot of assistance along the way. Attend career workshops and fairs and hone your interviewing skills. This is a guide to help you with your senior as you prepare for entering the job market.