The Career Search - Services and Resources
The
career search can be a time to learn more about yourself - determine
your career direction and help you make a decision for a career that is
consistent with your values, skills, interests, and abilities. Making a
decision consistent with these factors provides greater life
enrichment.
A comprehensive career search involves:
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SELF-ASSESSMENT -- examining your needs, wants, interests, values, roles,
and skills; -
JOB MARKET EXPLORATION -- researching the job market, identifying career trends, conducting informational interviews with people in careers that interest you, and developing the tools for the job hunt (e.g. writing resumes, letter of application, and conducting interviews; and
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THE FINAL ANALYSIS -- making the final decision: setting realistic goals, developing a strategy for action, and reviewing the whole picture to make sure your choice fits your value system-your philosophy of life and work.
Career Search Services and Programs:
One-to-One Counseling
As you work through the career exploration process, it is crucial to
discuss ideas and to evaluate interest tests. A counselor can be of
invaluable assistance during your career search.
Career/Life Planning Course -- Personal Development 103
Enables students to learn more about themselves and the world of work
and to develop career decision-making skills. Students will: evaluate
their abilities, values, personalities, and interests; examine the job
market; develop career search skills; and explore the many
opportunities and options open to them.
Career Resource Library
This library, located in Bridges 265, is well-stocked with current
information on most careers, many training programs, MSUM departments,
and professional and graduate schools. The library is open for browsing
during Counseling Center regular hours, and a trained assistant is
available to help you find and use materials. The hours that the
assistant is on duty are posted in the Career Resource Library.
Computer Assisted Career Search
The Career Resource Library houses computers for career research.
Software programs are available that focus on career development and
self-exploration activities. Stop by the Career Resource Library to
obtain necessary information to access the career search programs;
bridges.com and Discover.
Interest and Personality Tests
The Counseling Center offers inventories/assessment tools to help you
determine your abilities, interests, and values. When taking any test,
it is recommended that you see a counselor first to discuss both the
career process and receive assistance in the selection of the
appropriate inventory. In all instances, you should arrange a follow-up
meeting with a counselor to get help in the interpretation of the test.
Three of our most popular inventories are as follows:
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Strong Interest Inventory This inventory is a carefully constructed questionnaire that asks you to indicate "liking", "disliking", or "indifference" to 325 items dealing with occupations, occupational activities, hobbies, amusements, school subjects, and types of people. Your answers are analyzed by a computer in three main ways: first, for general overall trends; second, for consistency of response to 23 basic interest areas; and third, for the degree of similarity between your responses and the characteristic responses of men and women employed in a wide range of occupations. The results are reported on a sheet called a profile that presents scores on a number of "scales" in an organized fashion with interpretive advice. There is a $13 fee (subject to change) for this test.
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Career Occupational Preference System (COPS)
The COP System is designed to help you in planning your career. The first step in career-planning is to define the kinds of work you are interested in doing. The COP System Interest Inventory will help you to compare the relative strengths of your interests in activities performed in a great many different occupations. The COPS measures job activities in terms of eight broad occupational areas: Science, Technology, Outdoors, Business Computation, Communication, Arts, and Service. The inventory consists of 192 occupational activity interest items to which you express your degree of "interest" or "disinterest". The COPS administration and scoring is accomplished through the use of self-scoring booklets. There is a $6 fee (subject to change) for this test. -
Keirsey Bates/Myers Briggs Personality Inventories These assessments help identify personality characteristics that you possess. This knowledge is beneficial in making career decisions and understanding relationship dynamics. With the assistance of your counselor, you can determine which tool is best for you. There is no fee for the Kiersey Bates. There is a $6 fee for the Myers Briggs.