• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

CPC Cypress Newsletter MAJORS and CAREERS Career Planning and Development Knowledge Center – Spring 2014 Cypress College Career Planning Center – (714) 484-7120 – Student Center Bldg. www.cypresscollege.edu/services/cpc https://www.facebook.com/CPCCypress http://pinterest.com/cpccypress/ Relevant Board: /majors-and-careers/ TABLE OF CONTENTS MYTH: "Something is wrong with me if I MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT MAJOR AND CAREER CHOICE 1 don't know what I want to do." THE COLLEGE MAJOR: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO CHOOSE FACT: Most college students don't have a ONE ___________________________________________ 3 clear idea of what they want to major in or do HOW TO SELECT A COLLEGE MAJOR YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE for a career. This is normal. With research and (FINDING CAREER BLISS, PART 1) ____________________ 5 support, you can make decisions that are right HOW TO USE YOUR COLLEGE MAJOR FOR CAREER SUCCESS (FINDING CAREER BLISS, PART 2) ____________________ 6 for you. WHY EARNING POTENTIAL SHOULDN’T DRIVE THE COLLEGE MAJOR DECISION ________________________________ 8 MYTH: "There is only ONE career for me." IS YOUR COLLEGE MAJOR AND CAREER CHOICE A GOOD FIT? FACT: The combination of elements that ______________________________________________ 11 determine career satisfaction are found in many THE 15 MOST VALUABLE COLLEGE MAJORS __________ 11 different careers. For example, if you like DISCOVER 11 HOT COLLEGE MAJORS THAT LEAD TO JOBS:13 helping people in an artistic way, you may be FEWER STUDENTS ARE MAJORING IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, happy as a dance therapist or a high school art EDUCATION AND ENGLISH ________________________ 17 teacher. 15 HIGH-PAYING JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE STRESS ______________________________________________ 18 20 INCREDIBLE DREAM JOBS THAT REALLY DO EXIST __ 20 10 JOBS THAT DIDN'T EXIST 10 YEARS AGO __________ 24 TOP 10 JOB TITLES THAT DIDN’T EXIST 5 YEARS AGO __ 28 INFOGRAPHIC: TOP 10 JOB TITLES THAT DIDN’T EXIST 5 YEARS AGO ____________________________________ 30 8 NEW JOBS PEOPLE WILL HAVE IN 2025 ____________ 30 CAREER PLANNING CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION _ 32 MYTH: "If I choose a major or a career , I'll be TOOLS TO HELP YOU RESEARCH COLLEGE MAJORS, JOB stuck with it forever." TITLES AND OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS ________ 32 FACT: Most majors prepare you for a variety of careers. When you combine the skills you'll Myths and Facts about Major and learn in your major with others you'll gain from Career Choice full-time work, internships, and other activities, you'll have the ability to move in a variety of As you decide on a major and career, don't fall prey to these common myths: CPC Cypress Newsletter 2 directions. Most people have multiple careers FACT: Although it's important to make a well- and jobs during their work lives. informed decision, sometimes people are paralyzed because MYTH: "I've failed if I make the wrong they think that no choice." matter how much FACT: You only fail when you do not adapt. If information they you learn a major or career choice is not right have gathered, it's for you, change it. not enough. They indefinitely put off MYTH: "Happiness is impossible without the making a decision. Don't let this happen to you. perfect career." Collect enough information about your major or FACT: Career can be a major source of career choice. But realize that even after you satisfaction in life, but it is not everything. make a decision, you will still be able to collect Sometimes a job simply earns money so that more information and evaluate whether it was other time can be spent on the things that the right one. really make you happy. MYTH: “You need an exact match between MYTH: "There is a test or an expert that can your course of study/major and a future tell me what to do with the rest of my life." career.” FACT: Only you know what's best for yourself. FACT: Though there are some careers that There are people and resources you can use for require specific training, such as nursing, support, but in the end you make your own engineering, accounting, etc., there are more decisions. Counselors and the Career Planning careers that do not follow from a specific Center can help you clarify information about course of study/major. In fact, a recent study by your interests, skills, personality, or decision- the College Placement Council indicated that making patterns. Based on your individual the majority of college graduates are situation, counselors may suggest an successfully in fields not directly related to their assessment to help with this. Remember, no academic majors! test or expert knows you better than you do. MYTH: “Once you have a course of MYTH: "I won't be qualified to do anything study/major, you must stick with it your entire with a liberal arts degree." college career.” FACT: You will be more qualified than most: FACT: More than 70% of college students the skill’s you develop in a liberal arts change their course of study/major at some curriculum— communication, human point during college. interaction, analysis, and flexibility—are those most desired by employers. MYTH: “Job market demand should be the primary determinant of an academic choice.” MYTH: "I just need a little more information FACT: Selecting a course of study/major before I can make a decision." because it is currently "hot" on the market can 2 CPC Cypress Newsletter 3 be dangerous. Though it is important to look at very high value on these types of " extra " the potential for employment, the job market is activities when looking for employees. difficult to predict. What is in demand when you are a freshman may not be in demand by MYTH: “Your career path will remain fairly the time you graduate. You are on much firmer stable throughout your adult life.” ground when you select a course of FACT: Nearly half of all graduates change study/major that truly interests you, and find a their career plans after they finish college, and way to apply it to a career. the average person changes careers nearly 8 times in his/her lifetime. Your college course of MYTH: “You must pursue a certain specific study/major does not train you for a single, course of study/major in order to prepare specific job. Instead, it seeks to develop your adequately for professional schools such as aptitude and abilities so that you can use them dentistry, law, business, medicine, etc.” in the broadest variety of careers. That is why it FACT: Most professional schools do not is important to choose a course of study/major require a specific course of study/major, as long that allows your individual talents to flourish. as you meet certain academic courses. For Find a course of study/major that fits YOU, example, in recent years, liberal arts majors rather than trying to fit yourself into a course of have had a greater success with acceptance to study/major. Undergraduate education is not so medical schools than biology majors. much a determinant of what you want to BE, as much as what you are prepared to BECOME. SOURCES: College is Only the Beginning, edited by John N. Gardner and A Jerome Jewler; What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard Nelson Bolles; What Can I Do With a Major In...? by Lawrence R Malnig; Indiana University Bloomington The College Major: What It Is and How to Choose One A major is a specific subject area that students specialize in. Typically, between one-third and MYTH: “Your academic course of study/major one-half of the courses you’ll take in college will is the primary determinant of your future be in your major or related to it. career success.” FACT: A college major alone is not enough to At some colleges, you can even: help you prepare adequately for a career. Major in two fields. Internships, jobs, extracurricular activities, and Have a major and a minor (a volunteer work all contribute to your growth as specialization that requires fewer a well- rounded person, and in developing your courses than a major). skills and abilities. In fact, employers place a Create your own major. 3 CPC Cypress Newsletter 4 When to Choose a Major You Can Change Your Mind At most four-year colleges, and in the case of If you’re not sure about your college major many majors, you won’t have to pick a major while you’re in high school, don’t worry. Most until the end of your sophomore year. This gives students switch their major during college. Even you plenty of time to check out various subjects students who think they and see which ones interest you. Some majors are sure about what they — like areas of engineering — are exceptions to want to major in often this rule. You have to commit to these fields of change their mind. study early so you have time to take all the Shawna, a college required courses. sophomore, began college If you're earning a two-year degree, you'll as a physics major but probably select a major at the start because the switched to electrical program is much shorter. engineering. During her first semester, she discovered that college physics “was all the Most students switch their major during things about my physics class in high school that college. I didn’t like. And my engineering class was all the stuff I actually did like.” Majors and Graduate School Some colleges offer advising programs — such as premed or prelaw — to students who plan on attending medical school, law school or graduate school.

Load more

  32

Copy Link