Decision Making & Career Planning
URI 101: Planning for Academic Success
URI 101
Employment Trends of the Future
Keep up with what is happening in the world
so that you’re up to date with your field and
career trends!
Learn about employment trends:
• The Internet
• News Programs
• Government Statistics and
Publications
• Media/Social Media
• Networking
The New Millennials (born between 1977-1995)
• Sometimes called the “Echo
Boomers”
• By 2010, they will be the largest teen
population is U.S. history
• Will exceed the number of Baby
Boomers
• In the next 10 years, college
enrollments will increase by 300,000
students per year
• College admission will become
increasingly competitive
The New Millennials
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The cyber generation
Their most important values are individuality and uniqueness
Decreasing use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco
Have the promise of changing institutions for the better
Generation Z (born after 1995)
Last generation with a Caucasian majority
Celebrate Diversity
Decline of “traditional families”
Because of recession, less likely to believe in
the American dream of having more
• The age of “girl power”
• Hope to use technology to change the world
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Need for Lifelong Education
• In today’s society higher education improves you
chances of getting a job, yet you need to continually
learn through experiences
• Need for training and education over a lifetime
• Without training and education skills will soon become
obsolete
E-commerce: Changing Business
• Online sales are increasing
10-20% a year while
traditional retail sales are
stagnant
• Online marketing is used for
most retail sales
• E-commerce will become an
important part of business
education
Increase in Entrepreneurship
• Starting your own business
• Taking advantage of technology to work
from home
• Entrepreneurs often have very high job
satisfaction because of new and exciting
opportunities happening almost daily.
You never know what your next day of
work will bring
• You have control over the decision
making for the entire company
• You have more flexibility with your work
schedule and have the freedom to run a
company how you want
Diversified Workforce
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More older workers
More women workers
More immigrants
One third of today’s workers are from
diverse groups!
Work Skills for
the 21st Century
Basic Skills
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Reading
Basic Math
Oral Communication
Written Communication
Computers (Email, Excel, Outlook, Publisher,
PowerPoint, Word, etc.)
Critical Thinking Skills
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Creative Thinking
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Mental Visualization
Effective Learning skills
Reasoning
Bloom’s Taxonomy in
critical thinking
Personal Qualities
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Responsibility
Self-esteem
Sociability
Self-management
Integrity/Honesty
Persistence
Positive attitude
Workplace Competencies
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Manage time and money
Participate as a member of a team
Use computers to access information
Develop efficient management systems
Use technology
Keys to Finding a Satisfying Career
• Assess your personality type and
related strengths.
• Explore your vocational interests.
• Know your values.
• Discover multiple intelligences
• Learn about the job market.
• Gain job skills while in college.
• Use updated job seeking
strategies.
Researching Your Career
What to look for when researching jobs:
• Nature of the work
• Working conditions
• Training
• Qualifications
• Room for Advancement
Tools to Research Your Career
• Visit the Center for Career and Experiential Education or their website
• Use “What can I do with this major?” link to discover possible careers
(http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/)
• Use the “Occupational Outlook Handbook” to get more information on a
specific career (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/)
Steps in Planning Your Education
• Take general education courses early on
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Use these to discover passions and a possible career path through trying new and different subjects!
• Prepare for your major courses
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These courses will help to provide a better sense of the field you are going into
• Gain experiential knowledge
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Either through internships or professional job shadows.
These experiences will either confirm or alter your career goals
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Compare current skills with needed skills
• Utilize web resources
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web.uri.edu/career
Mynextmove.org
• Graduate and begin your job
search!
Making a Career
Decision
There is a choice you have to make,
in everything you do.
And you must always keep in mind,
The choice you make, makes you.
Steps in Making a Career
Decision
• Self-assessment
– Personality, Interests
– Values, Skills
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Explore Options
Research careers
Plan your education
Make a commitment and take action
Evaluate your decisions
Steps in Effective
Decision Making
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State the problem
Consider your values
Gather information
Consider options
Evaluate the pros and cons of options
Consult others (if necessary)
Select the best alternative
Take action
Tools For Your Success
The Center for Career and
Experiential Education (CCEE)
can help you with:
Resume/Cover Letter writing
Interview skills
Professionalism/Networking skills
Internship and Job Search
Shadow Opportunities
CCEE website (helpful links to “What
can I do with this major?” and OOH)
– Attend job fairs and internship fairs at
URI
(check CCEE website for dates)
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Online Resources web.uri.edu/career