Introduction
Navigating the major and career exploration process can be a daunting task. It involves discovering one’s interests and skills, inquiring about different majors and careers, and deciding on a major and career path. Through taking the CliftonStrengths assessment, I gained insight into my strengths and weaknesses and discovered jobs that would suit my strengths well. Speaking to peers and advisors allowed me to gain further insight into potential majors and careers. Researching potential careers provided me with valuable information to make an educated decision. With the help of the resources available to me at UNLV, I made confident choices that will help me better understand my interests and the career paths that are best suited for me. I created an action plan and timeline to help me advance in my major and career exploration journey. Through discovering, inquiring, deciding, and reflecting, I am confident that I have chosen a major and career path that best fits me and will help me move forward.
Discover
At the beginning of my major and career exploration process, I took the necessary time to carefully and thoughtfully discover my interests and talents. To do this, I took the CliftonStrengths assessment, which gave me insight into my top five strengths and abilities. After this, I devoted much effort to researching the various majors at UNLV to identify fascinating topics (Song & Kim, 2022). I examined every detail of each major and conducted deep dives into the academic requirements for completion. I also read about current students and alumni’s experiences and stories to further inform my decision. After thoroughly exploring each of the majors I had been considering, I narrowed my selection down to only a few that I felt would be the most suitable for me. I conducted further research to understand better the potential careers that would be available to pursue with each of these majors. This included reading job descriptions, interviewing professionals, and reading about their experiences in the field. This gave me a clearer picture of what I can expect from each career path. I gained a deeper insight into what I was looking for and what I would need to do to reach my goals. As I worked to solidify my choices, I understood which options would benefit me most in the long run. The whole process of significant and career exploration was made much smoother by carefully investigating my interests and skills. This gave me the necessary information to make a well-informed decision. By doing so, I could look at my options more objectively and weigh the pros and cons of each one. Additionally, I better understood the educational requirements, job duties, and the potential salary of each potential career path. With this knowledge, I made an educated decision that will set me up for success in the future.
Inquire
After discovering my interests and skills, I became increasingly intrigued by the numerous majors and career paths I could pursue. To better understand, I consulted with my peers and advisors, attended career-related events, and researched various professions online. My conversations with others opened my eyes to the different majors and careers I was considering, providing me with information I had never heard before. After researching further, I better understood the qualifications and requirements needed to pursue each career path. Furthermore, I gained a deeper insight into the different work environments, company cultures, and job obligations associated with each profession (Ma et al., 2020). This immensely invaluable experience enabled me to make a more informed and educated decision when selecting the career path that best fits my interests and abilities. It gave me a clear insight into the numerous job opportunities and the ones that would be better avoided. Ultimately, my research and conversations were incredibly beneficial as they allowed me to make a more educated decision and pick a career that I was genuinely passionate about.
The experience enabled me to understand better the different roles I could pursue and those not well suited to me. I learned about the unique aspects of each job role, such as the hours, wages and the typical tasks that would be expected of me. With this knowledge, I could select a career I was passionate about based on the information I had gathered and discussed. In addition, I was given an opportunity to discuss the various career paths with professionals and industry experts, which gave me a better insight into the roles and the industry as a whole. Being able to talk to people with experience in the industry was extremely valuable. They provided information about the career path I was interested in and other roles I may have yet to consider. This allowed me to better understand the different job paths and the ones most suitable for my interests and abilities.
Decide
After thoroughly inquiring about different majors and careers, I made an informed decision about which major and career path to pursue. I considered various factors, including my interests and skills, as well as the pros and cons of each option. After careful consideration, a psychology major and mental health career would best fit me. This decision was based on the information I had gathered throughout my inquiry process, which gave me a broader understanding of the different majors and careers available. Moreover, I could weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each major and career path and evaluate the most beneficial and enjoyable for me in the long run (Sawitri & Perdhana, 2020). Considering the breadth of options, I was required to think critically and decide which course of action would best fit my lifestyle and goals. To do this, I had to consider various aspects such as the job market, salary, educational prerequisites, and availability of resources. I had to consider my values, interests, skills, and strengths. After considering all of these factors, my decision to pursue a major in psychology and a career in the mental health field was appropriate for me. It is a decision that I am committed to, as it will provide me with a fulfilling and meaningful career path and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Moving Forward
At this point in my major and career exploration, I have decided on a major and career path that will best suit me. Choosing this career path has been difficult for me, as I have had to weigh the pros and cons of each potential career and ensure that I am taking the proper steps to make the best decision for myself. However, there are still some decisions that I need to make in order to make a confident choice. For instance, I need to decide which type of mental health career I should pursue and which program I should apply to in order to pursue that career. Further research into potential employers and job opportunities in my chosen field is also necessary for me to make a confident decision. To complete this research, I plan to utilize various resources such as career counsellors, online job postings, and informational interviews. I will also attend the final Success Series Workshop, which will give me the additional information I need to make an educated and confident decision about my career path. The workshop will allow me to learn more about the mental health field and tips to finish the semester strong and gain insights into potential job opportunities (Sheldon et al., 2020). Through this workshop, I will better understand the mental health career I am interested in and the resources available to me to make sure that I am making an informed decision.
In addition to the Success Series Workshop, I plan to reach out to professionals in the mental health field and ask them questions to understand the industry better. This will allow me to become more familiar with the different types of mental health careers, the potential and available job opportunities, and the qualifications needed to pursue them (Chauhan, 2019). Additionally, I will ask them for advice on the best resources to keep my exploration going and make sure I am making the best choice for myself. I can confidently advance in my chosen field by doing an in-depth investigation of the mental health career and its opportunities. I understand that this is an important decision for my future, so I am taking the necessary steps to make sure that I am making an educated decision. With all the available information and resources, I am confident that I will make the best decision for myself and stick to the career path that is the most suitable for me. I plan to research the mental health field more thoroughly by reading professional journals and articles, attending seminars, and talking to other mental health professionals. I will also take the time to network with professionals in the field to gain insight into the industry and learn more about the career path I am considering. I am also considering attending conferences and workshops related to the mental health field to gain more knowledge and better equip myself for a successful career. By doing all of this, I am confident I can make an informed decision and move forward confidently.
Final Reflection
As I continue my exploration to find a major and career path, I must be open to new experiences and opportunities. I must take my time and be patient when deciding my future, as this could immensely impact where I end up. I understand the importance of researching and being informed about my decisions, which will ultimately shape my future. I am eager to see where this journey will lead me and excited to discover what lies ahead. I recognize that to succeed; I must be willing to take risks and step outside of my comfort zone. Doing so will lead to different perspectives, more excellent knowledge and a better understanding of my career path. I have been encouraged to research and utilize different resources, such as websites, articles, and books to help guide my decision-making. I have also been informed that talking to professionals, former students, and mentors is essential to gain insight into different career paths. By doing this, I will gain knowledge and better understand my career paths. I have been reminded that, above all, I should be sure to trust my instincts and listen to my heart. This journey is all about personal discovery, and I am confident I will make the right decision.
Looking back, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to explore a range of majors and careers and for the resources available to me at UNLV. I am deeply grateful for the skills and knowledge I have acquired from this process, which will prove invaluable as I move forward. I am confident that I can make a well-informed choice and begin the next chapter of my major and career story. I am excited about what the future holds, and I am eager to take on the challenges and opportunities. I have access to vast information and am committed to using it best. I am grateful for the many resources at my disposal, from the library to the career centre, and for the support of the faculty, staff, and advisors who have helped me along my journey.
I am also thankful for the support of my family and friends throughout this process, who have always been there for me and have given me the confidence to make my own decisions. I look forward to utilizing the knowledge, skills, and resources I have acquired to make the most of this next step. I know the importance of staying current with the ever-changing job market, and I am committed to keeping myself up to date on the latest trends and developments. I also know the importance of networking and developing relationships with professionals in my field. I am eager to engage in meaningful conversations and collaborations to gain new insights and experiences. By doing so, I can make more informed decisions and further my career. I am excited about the possibilities that await me. I am prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities that come with the next chapter of my major and career story.
References
Chauhan, R. S. (2019). Occupation exploration: Using O* NET in the management classroom. Management Teaching Review, 4(1), 79-88.
Ma, Y., Chen, S. C., & Ruangkanjanases, A. (2020). Perceived Organizational Support and Career Adaptability as Predictors of Self and Environmental-career Exploration: An Empirical Investigation in China.
Sawitri, D. R., & Perdhana, M. S. (2020). Career-related predictors of life satisfaction of Indonesian youth.
Sheldon, K. M., Holliday, G., Titova, L., & Benson, C. (2020). Comparing Holland and Self-Determination Theory measures of career preference as predictors of career choice. Journal of Career Assessment, 28(1), 28–42.
Song, K. Y., & Kim, H. (2022). Measuring Perceived Influences of Immigration Rules on Career Exploration Among International Students. Journal of College Student Development, 63(5), 572-587.
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