DECIDING ON A
MAJOR
WORKSHOP
Jennifer Mendoza
Counselor
Introductions
1.
What is your name?
2.
What is you current job?
3.
Approximately how many college units have you
completed?
4.
What do you hope to gain from this workshop?
Three Questions to Ask Yourself
Before Embarking on a Career Path
What are your…
 Interests
 Abilities/Strengths
 Values
Interests
Consider…
 Things
you enjoy (work, activities, hobbies,
etc.)
 Environment (indoors, outdoors, combination)
 Courses (projects, assignments, activities)
 Things that do not interest you
*Do you think you would be interested in the
careers/work related to the major you are
considering?
Abilities/Strengths
Think About…
 Class
and work performance
 Talents (i.e. helping others, influencing, solving
problems, working with numbers, using your
hands, organizing, etc.)
 Recognition and awards received for work
and/or academics
 Weaknesses
*Do you have the ability to be successful in the
major you are considering?
Values
Reflect Upon…
 Religious,
philosophical, moral, ethical
beliefs/teachings
 Things which are important to you (personal
service, financial security, etc.)
 Political stand on topics
 Importance of family
*What values match the requirements and
outcomes of the major you are considering?
Holland’s RIASEC Theory
John Holland (1985) Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.)
Odessa, FL.: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.
 Self Directed Search
 Based on assumption that individual can be
classified into six different groups
 Groups are called personality types
 Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social,
Enterprising, Conventional
 Inventory estimates how closely a person
resembles each of the types
 Three types = three-letter codes (RIA)
What is a Realistic person?
 Guns N’ Ammo, restoring old cars, building and rebuilding
 Likes outdoors, casual dress, rural living
 Reliable, takes physical risks, avoid center of attention
 Nature, Mechanical Activities, Military, Athletics
Associate Degree: Fire, Automotive Technology, Diesel, Welding,
Machinist Technology, Police Science, Administration of Justice
Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice,
Mechanical Engineering
What’s an Investigative person?
 Sailing, chess, computers, bird watching
 What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies? Many
times it’s the same answer
 Independent, analytical, task oriented (wrapped up in job),
unconventional
 Science, Mathematics, Medicine
Associate Degree: Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Computer
Science, Library Science, Paralegal Studies, Pharmacy
Technology
Bachelor Degree: Pre-Med, Chemistry, Biology, Forensics,
Engineer, Pre-Law, Pre-Veterinarian, etc.
What’s an Artistic person?
 Art, design, music
 Likes the arts, reading and doing individual activities
 Impulsive, sensitive, appreciates creative endeavors, impractical
 Creative unstructured environment, theater, advertising and PR
firms possibly museums and libraries, Culinary Arts, Drama,
English teacher.
Associate Degree: Arts-Graphic Design Multimedia Media,
Architecture, Music, Dance, Radio, Television& Film, Library
Science, Fashion Design, Photography
Bachelor Degree: Art, Theater, Design, Architecture, Dance,
English, Languages, Elemementary Teacher, Culinary Studies
What’s a Social person?
 People magazine, volunteer service, parties, conventions.
 Likes to be around people, humanistic, ideals, concerned for the
welfare of others.
 Personnel, mental health, schools, religious organizations,
social services.
Associate Degree: Nursing, Human Services, Liberal Arts
Bachelor Degree: Sociology, Psychology, Social work, TeachingLiberal Studies, Speech Pathology, Human Development
What is an Enterprising person?
 Orange Coast, Money magazines, Sharper Image, Travel and
Resorts
 Likes sporting events, conventions, clubs and organizations and
expensive resort vacations, politics, bus. Owner, seats of power
and finance.
 Ambitious, social, talkative, status, aggressive, optimistic.
Associate Degree: Business Administration, Paralegal Studies,
Accounting, Real Estate/Escrow
Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Public Administration,
Communications - PR
What is a Conventional person?
 Home Improvement, Collecting
 Likes structure, chain of command, large corporations and
business environments, games with clear cut rules, civic and
fraternal organizations.
 Conscientious, practical, orderly, precise, accurate and careful.
Associate Degree: Business Applications, Medical Assistant,
Accounting, Library Science, Pharmacy Technology, Fashion
Design
Bachelor Degree: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Math
Teacher
What are some of the
Majors at SBVC?
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Accounting
Anthropology
Architecture
Art
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Child Development
Communications
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil,
Computer, etc.)
English
Geography
Geology
History
Human Services
Kinesiology
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Liberal Studies
Library Science
Machinist Technology
Mathematics
Music
Nursing
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Radio, Television & Film
Real Estate
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Restaurant Management
Religious Studies
Water Supply Engineering
Welding
Social Work
Sociology
Theatre Arts
What is Communication?
 Speech, Interpersonal and Organizational
Communication, Rhetorical Studies
(persuasion, popular and media culture,
political and public affairs)
 Film and Electronics Arts
 Journalism
 Advertising
 Public Relations
What’s available in Math and Science?
 Computer Science and Computer
Engineering
 Engineering
 Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology
 Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Vet.
 Animal Science
 Forensic Science
 Occupational Health
 Math
What’s in Arts and Humanities?
 English & Philosophy (Pre-law)
 Music
 Art
 Graphic Design
 Entertainment Art/Animation, Illustration,
Sculpture
 Art History
 Film Studies
 Dance
 Languages
What about the Social Sciences?
 Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies
 History
 Economics
 Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology,
Geography
 Social Work and Human Services
What else?
 Health Science
 Business Administration
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Accounting, Finance, Management,
Management Information Systems, Marketing
 Exercise Science and Kinesiology
 Child Development
 Criminal Justice
 Teaching – Elementary, High School, Special
Education, College/University
 Interdisciplinary Studies
What’s next?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the difference between a job and a career?
When you were growing up, what was your dream
job?
What would you do if you could get paid to do what
you loved to do?
If you could not get paid to do what you love, what
career/job could you do to support your love?
If you are left alone in a bookstore, what
sections/subjects do you
Other Good Assessments:
 Myers Briggs Personality Tests
 True Colors
 TypeFocus
 The Career Key
 The Big Five Personality Tests
 knowyourtype.com
(93-question assessment online)
 Transfer & Career Services-Diana Rodriguez