Career decision making is an on-going process, but a worthwhile one. It will help give you clarity for your time as a Beaver and beyond. Use the links below to learn more about yourself and your potential career paths:
Start Here: Assess Yourself
These links will help you explore yourself – your personality, interests, strengths, character, skills, and values.
- The Jung Typology Test
- Career Decision Making Questionnaire
- Career OneStop Skills Matcher
- VIA Character Survey
- Work Values Assessment
Want to check out what UMF Majors align with your interests? Review UMF’s Explore Majors page or the College Catalog.
Step Two: Research and Reflect
Now that you assessed your personality, it’s time to explore some career opportunities. Have a broad interest, like business? Use these resources to explore specific occupations in different employment sectors.
- O’NET Occupation and Skills Search
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Learn How to Become…exploring careers & the career journey
- Employer Reviews and Salary Information
- Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Companies
Step Three: Conversations with Professionals
Once you have a sense of occupations and opportunities that interest you, it’s time to talk with professionals to learn more. Here’s how:
- Create a LinkedIn account (have it reviewed by a Career Counselor). Then, use the University of Maine at Farmington Alumni feature on LinkedIn and connect with them.
- Connect with a local UMF Alum by speaking with a Career Counselor
- Get networking or conduct an informational interview
- Attend a UMF Career Fair or Event
Remember, a UMF Career Counselor is happy to help with this process. Make an appointment today.
Step Four: Experience It
After you’ve got a sense of a career from a conversation, see it in action:
- Create a resume and a cover letter
- Talk with a UMF Career Counselor to set up a short term job shadowing opportunity
- Explore an in-depth internship, service learning project, or volunteer opportunity with UMF’s Office of Experiential & Global Education
- Begin to find occupational opportunities by searching for a job
Based off The Career Decision Pyramid. Used with permission of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder. The Career Decision Pyramid is a copyrighted product of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder.