Other Exercises to Self-Assessment

• Spend some time thinking about what your interests are, your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, etc. Make a list for yourself. Are there connections between your academic and leisure interests?
• Think about what you want to gain from the major/career you choose. What are the most important considerations when choosing a major/career?
• Think about high school courses that have interested you/ you feel are your strongest areas, and what you liked about them.
• Think about jobs you have liked and disliked and why.
• Find out more about the different majors, their requirements, etc. Take classes in the areas that interest you.
• Talk to professors, advisors, parents, Cooperative Education & Career Development Center staff, etc. about areas of interest.
• Visit the Cooperative Education & Career Development Center and look at the various books and career-related web sites.

Other Activities to Try

• Make a list of five to ten things you really like to do. Take your time and put a lot of thought into this. Be as specific as possible. A general statement of "I like to work with people" will not help you much.
• Look at what magazines, books and sections of the newspaper you read. What you read is a good indicator of your interests.
• Go to the "Want Ads" section of a newspaper and cut out all of the job listings that seem interesting. Pay attention to similarities.
• Review your academic transcript. Highlight those courses in which you earned an A or B. What was interesting about those courses?
• Write down the names of five people you admire. List the #1 thing you admire most about each person.

REMEMBER:

• decision-making is a PROCESS that takes time and thought
• it is normal to be undecided and/or change your major/career
• you have to be willing to walk through wrong turns, blind alleys, and cope with inconveniences BEFORE hitting pay dirt
• don't rely on luck to find the right career for you!