Your  Account:

Knowing Jobs and Careers

As you get to know yourself, it is essential you also spend time learning as much as you can about the world of work and the opportunities for jobs that might fit who you are. You can start by doing some online research. But, then you'll need to get out there and explore job possibilities. Here are ways that you can do that:

Online Research:

How do Majors Relate to Jobs? 

Some careers require specific majors, such as nursing and accounting.  However, what many other majors prepare you with are the skills that employers look for in new employees. These foundational skills include:

  • Inquiry and analysis
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Written and oral communication
  • Quantitative literacy
  • Information literacy
  • Teamwork and problem solving
  • Civic knowledge and engagement
  • Intercultural knowledge and competence
  • Ethical reasoning and action
  • Foundations and skills for lifelong learning
    (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2016)

So even if you don’t know exactly what job a major will lead to, you can choose a field that is simply of most interest to you and then focus on developing these skills that can lead you to a number of different job possibilities.  

Take Action!

  • Set up informational interviews with someone who is working in a position that you are interested in and ask them all about their job.
  • Arrange to job shadow so that you can spend time observing someone with a career that interests you.
  • Participate in internships or volunteer for job experiences where you can see firsthand what is required of a job.
  • Look for part-time or summer jobs that will help you determine what you enjoy.
  • Interview faculty, staff, and other students for their ideas and insights.
  • Attend the CSUSM Major and Minor Fair, Job Fair, and employer information sessions sponsored by the CSUSM Career Center.
  • Meet with an academic advisor of a specific major to learn more about different disciplines.