Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond

Chapter 14: Explore Majors And Careers

Chapter Objectives

• Explore majors and careers

• Determine your values, interests, abilities, and skills

• Assemble a portfolio for career development

• Adapt to workplace trends

• Always practice good business ethics

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

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

– Record significant life experiences

– Describe how your experiences have helped you grow professionally

Building A Career Development Portfolio

– Document skills and accomplishments in and out of the classroom

– Provide links between what you can do and what an employer is looking for in a candidate

– Apply patterns of interests, skills, and competencies to career planning

Building A Career Development Portfolio

– Identify areas you want to enhance, augment, or improve

– Record and organize experiences for your resume and job interviews

– 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

– Cover or title 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

Building A Career Development Portfolio

Overcome the Barriers to Portfolio Development

– It’s a lot of work

– I wouldn’t know where to start

– I don’t have the time

– I’ll do it when I’m ready for a job

– I don’t have enough work samples

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

Workplace Trends

Formal training in…

– Technology

– Grant writing

– Financial planning

– Technical skills

Workplace Trends

– Report writing

– Alcohol and other drug abuse

– Sexual harassment

– Cultural and gender diversity

– Team building

Workplace Trends

– Time and stress management

– Communication

– Motivation

– Negotiation

– Conflict resolution

Business Ethics

Each employee must…

– Make decisions based on moral values and good conscience

– Follow the code of ethics provided by his or her industry

Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond

Chapter 14: Explore Majors And Careers