Choosing a Degree or Occupation
at Curtin University
By Curtin Careers Centre
Objective
Selecting your degree or occupation
can be a confusing time. Often
students find that the degree they
originally selected was not what they
expected or no longer fits with their
concept of themselves and what they
want to do with their career.
The objective of this guide is to help
you make your unique choices while
providing you with a method for
making good decisions.
Read through the introduction page
and then work your way through the
workbook.
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
1
Understanding Myself: Degree Expectations
Read the following statements and select the three that you feel are most important to
you in choosing a degree. Rank then in 1, 2, 3 order.
I am looking for a degree that I’ll enjoy (find interesting, exciting, fun and
challenging).
My concerns are practical I want a degree that I can get into, that’s easy (for me),
and that’s not complicated, and/or that I can finish in the least possible time.
I don’t know what I want to do when I graduate.
My interests are broad. I want a degree with lots of variety and/or flexibility.
University might not be for me… at least right now. I’d like to explore other options.
I really have problems making important decisions. I can’t even decide which of
these statements is most important.
I have an occupation in mind. However, I don’t know which degree would be
appropriate preparation for that occupation.
I want to confirm some choices that I have made.
My own concern:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Your responses to the above question can help you to identify factors to use in the decisionmaking exercise found on page 9. Should you want to explore any of the concerns you have
ranked in the above exercise before continuing, please see your Career Development
Consultant/Presenter.
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
2
Understanding Myself: Holland Interest Types
Read each description inside the hexagon below. Consider how each is similar or
dissimilar to you.
Write the letter of the description most like you in the first block, then letter of the
description next most like you in the second block, and the letter of the description
third most like you in the last block.
Find Curtin University degrees that match you by reading those listed under your first,
second and third type. You can also talk to the Career Development Consultant/Presenter
about formally assessing your type and matching occupations using the Self Directed
Search in Building 599.
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
3
Realistic
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering
Medical Imaging Science
Agricultural Technology
Meteorology
Applied Chemistry
Mine and Engineering
Applied Geology
Surveying
Aquaculture
Mine Technology
Astronomy
Mineral Exploration and
Chemical Engineering
Mining Geology
Chemistry
Minerals Engineering
Chemistry and Applied
Mining Engineering
Statistics
Mining Environmental
Chemistry and Scientific
Engineering
Computing
Molecular Biotechnology
Civil and Construction
Multidisciplinary Science
Engineering
Nanotechnology
Coastal Zone Management Petroleum Engineering
Computer Science
Pharmacy
Computer Science
Physics
Computer Systems and
Physics
Networking
Physics and Mathematical
Computer Systems
Sciences
Engineering
Physics and Scientific
Dental Hygiene
Computing
Electrical Power
School Dental Therapy
Engineering
Science and Computing
Electronic and
Software Engineering
Communication
Sustainability studies
Engineering
Sustainable Aquaculture
Energy Science &
Engineering
nvestigative
Environmental Biology
Extractive Metallurgy
Farm Management
Actuarial and Applied
Forensic and Analytical
Statistics Anthropology
Chemistry
Actuarial Science
Geographic Information
Agribusiness
Science
Agribusiness Marketing
Geography
Agricultural Technology
Geology
Anthropology
Geophysics
Applied Chemistry
Horticulture
Applied Geology
Industrial Modeling and
Applied Statistics
Optimisation
Aquaculture
Information Technology
Astronomy
Laboratory Medicine
Business Information
Land and Water Resource Systems
Science
I
Business Information
Technology
Cartography
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry and Applied
Statistics
Chemistry and Scientific
Computing
Civil and Construction
Engineering
Coastal Zone Management
Computer Science
Computer Science
Computer Systems and
Networking
Computer Systems
Engineering
Cyberanalytics
Dietetics
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Power
Engineering
Electronic and
Communication
Engineering
Energy Science &
Engineering
Environmental Biology
Environmental Science
Equine Management
Extractive Metallurgy
Farm Management
Food Science and
Technology
Forensic and Analytical
Chemistry
Geographic Information
Science
Geography
Geology
Geophysics
Health Promotion
Health, Safety and
Environment
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
4
History
Information Systems
Information Technology
Information Technology
Internet Studies
Internet Studies Online
Communication
Laboratory Medicine
Land and Water Resource
Science
Legal studies
Marketing
Mathematical Science
Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
and Computing
Mathematical Sciences
and Finance
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering
Medical Imaging Science
Meteorology
Midwifery
Mine and Engineering
Surveying
Minerals Engineering
Mining Engineering
Mining Environmental
Engineering
Molecular Biotechnology
Multidisciplinary Science
Nanotechnology
Nursing
Nutrition
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacy
Photography
Physics
Physics
Physics and Mathematical
Sciences
Physics and Scientific
Computing
Physiotherapy
Property
Psychology
Science and Computing
Social Science
Social Work
Sociology
Software Engineering
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathology
Statistics
Strategic Procurement
Surveying
Sustainability studies
Sustainable Aquaculture
Town Planning
Urban Planning
Viticulture
Viticulture and Oenology
Surveying
Artistic
Advertising
Anthropology
Anthropology
Architecture
Interior Architecture
Interior Design
Asian Studies
Cartography
Chinese
Communication and
Cultural Studies
Creative Advertising
Creative Writing
Cultural Heritage
Dance
Documentary
Drama
Electronic Arts
English
Fashion
Feature Film
Film and TV Production
Fine Arts
Furniture
Graphic Product
Heritage
Illustration
Indonesian
Internet Design
Japanese
Jewellery Design
Journalism
Korean
Mass Communication
Media Film and TV
Multimedia
Multimedia
Museology
Performance Studies
Photography
Professional Writing &
Publishing
Screenwriting
Surveying
Textiles
Theatre
TV
Urban Design
Visual Art
Website Design
Literary and Cultural
Studies
Social
Activism
Advertising
Asian Studies
Communication and
Construction Management
Cultural Heritage
Cultural Studies
Cyberanalytics
Dental Hygiene
Dietetics
English
Entrepreneurship
Equine Management
Film and TV Production
Food Science and
Technology
Health Promotion
Health, Safety and
Environment
History
Human Resource
Management and
Industrial Relations
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
5
Human Rights Political
philosophy
Information Studies
Librarianship
International Business
International legal
Internet Studies
Internet Studies Online
Communication
Journalism Broadcast
Management
Marketing
Media Studies
Midwifery
Nursing
Nutrition
Museology
Occupational Therapy
Photo Journalism
Physiotherapy
Politics and International
Relations
Print
Project Management
Psychology
Public Relations
Information Systems
Radio
Records
School Dental Therapy
Social Science
Social Work
Sociology
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathology
Sports management
Teaching – Primary
Teaching – Languages
Teaching – Secondary
Teaching – Special
Education
Teaching – TES OL
Teaching – Tertiary
Television News ,
Tourism Management
Town Planning
Urban Planning
Enterprising
Multimedia
Petroleum Engineering
Photo Journalism
Accounting
Politics and International
Activism
Relations
Actuarial and Applied
Print
Statistics
Project Management
Actuarial Science
Property
Actuarial Science
Public Relations
Advertising
Public Relations
Agribusiness
Publishing
Agribusiness Marketing
Radio
Applied Accounting
Screenwriting
Banking
Sports management
Creative Advertising
Taxation
Construction Management Television News
Documentary
Viticulture
Economics
Viticulture and Oenology
Entrepreneurship
Website Design
Environmental Science
onventional
Feature Film
Film and TV Production
Finance
Accounting
Financial Planning
Actuarial Science
Human Resource
Applied Accounting
Management and
Applied Statistics
Industrial Relations
Archives
Human Rights Political
Banking
philosophy
Business Information
Industrial Modelling and
Systems
Optimisation
Business Information
International Business
Technology Corporate International legal
Information Management
Internet
Finance
Design
Financial Planning
Journalism
Horticulture
Journalism Broadcast
Information Technology
Legal studies
Librarianship
Management
Mathematical Science
Marketing
Mathematical Sciences
Marketing
and Computing
Mass Communication
Mathematical Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
and Finance
Media Film and TV
Mathematics
Media Studies
Records
Mine Technology
Statistics
Mineral Exploration and
Strategic Procurement
Mining Geology
Taxation
Mining
Tourism Management
C
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
6
Understanding Myself: Things to Consider
Interests (Likes/Dislikes)
What interests do you want to be reflected in your choice of degree or occupation?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Skills/Abilities and Strengths/Weaknesses
What skills/abilities or strengths/weaknesses do you feel are important to consider in your
degree/occupational choice?
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Values
What values do you want to satisfy with your degree/occupational choice?
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Goals
What career, personal or like goals are important to you in making a degree/occupational
decision?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Special Requirements
What special requirements do you have for this decision? Requirements might include: Can I
get in with my TER score or current university marks? The degree is available at Curtin
University. The degree must prepare me for my chosen career field. I must graduate in three
years. My parents would approve. Whatever is important to you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Other
What else is or might be important to you in making this decision?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
7
Understanding My Options: Things to Consider
A. Identify three to five degrees or
occupations you would like to explore.
B. What do you know about these
options? What don’t you know?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C. Use these easy methods of increasing your knowledge of each option listed above.
The Curtin Careers Centre can help you get started with these exploratory activities.
Network with People
• Talk to academic staff, faculty, and graduating students in degrees that
interest you.
• Interview and job shadow professionals in occupations that fit your interests.
Visit Quality Websites
• Access the resources available on www.careers.curtin.edu.au
• Use the MyFuture career planner www.myfuture.edu.au
• Browse O*NET Online at online.onetcentre.org for further occupational
information (please note this is an American resource)
• Check out graduate opportunities at www.graduateopportunities.com
Find Curtin University of Technology specific information
• www.curtin.edu.au
• Call your course advisors or unit coordinators
• Visit Curtin Career Centre for more information
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
8
Take Action: A Decision-Making Exercise
1. Based on your exploration, are you able to narrow your options? If so, list them across
the top of page 10.
2. List 3-5 factors that are important to you in selecting a degree or occupation (see
Degree Expectations on page 2 and Things To Consider on page7):
a.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
e. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
f. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.
Write your three to five factors, from above, down the side of the chart on page 9.
4.
Consider how well or poorly each degree/occupation alternative satisfies each factor
and:
I. Assign a value to how well the alternative fared (0-5). Write that value in the small
shaded box.
0 = Poorly/ Won’t do at all/ No
2 = Acceptable/ Not great/ Ok, maybe.
5 = Very well/ Great/ Yes!
II. Comment on each in the space provided.
5.
On the summary row, total the points assigned to each and write your overall
impression of the suitability of each alternative.
6.
Rank your choice by Total Points and General Impressions. Do they match? If not,
why?
7.
Are you ready to make a decision? If yes, what is your decision? If no, why are you not
ready to decide?
8.
Take action regardless of whether you have made a decision or not:
I. If you have made a decision, move forward with the activities listed on page 11
II. If you have not made a decision, contact Curtin Career Centre
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
9
Rank Your Alternatives By:
Total Points
General Impressions
1. ……………………………………………………….
2. ……………………………………………………….
3. ……………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
Are you ready to make a decision?
Yes
What?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
No
Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
10
Take Action: Yes. I’ve Decided
Below, list three actions you can take to actively pursue the degree you chose. If you need
some ideas of what to do next, review the list below of short term and long term actions
you can take to make your decision a reality.
1.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Some Actions might include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do some research about the degree on the Curtin University website
www.curtin.edu.au
Find and talk to the student advisor for your degree, they are located within each
faculty and will be listed on the website for your chosen degree.
If you are still confused, make an appointment with a Career Development
Consultant at Curtin Careers Centre, Building 599
Research and pursue internships, vacation work and work experience within your
field of study.
Join professional or student organisations in your profession and faculty.
Build your resume – attend a resume workshop or access Resume Express via
www.careers.curtin.edu.au
Register for a workshop on addressing selection criteria, performing in interviews
and psychometric assessments - log on through Jobs & Events Connect or through
your OASIS “My Career” tab.
Use my networks to search for work experience opportunties.
Take Action: No, I Have Not Decided
Many students have difficulty choosing a degree. Fortunately the Curtin Career Centre is
able to assist you with your decision making.
Contact the Curtin Careers Centre:
(08) 9266 7820
careers@curtin.edu.au
Drop in to Building 599 to make an appointment (a demountable building opposite the
library near the pine trees)
Curtin Career Centre acknowledges the Florida State University Career Centre as the original
Authors of this workbook.
11