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Turning Your UC Degree into a Career! Ensuring Transfer Success May, 2014 Presenters: Sarah Backes -Diaz – UCB Career Center Allison Keller – UCI Career Center Patricia Garcia – UCLA Admissions Brian O’Bruba – UCM Career Center Ebony Lewis – UCSC Admissions. Your major is like
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Turning Your UC Degree into a Career!Ensuring Transfer SuccessMay, 2014Presenters:Sarah Backes-Diaz – UCB Career CenterAllison Keller – UCI Career CenterPatricia Garcia – UCLA AdmissionsBrian O’Bruba – UCM Career Center Ebony Lewis – UCSC Admissions
Your major is like the steering wheel of a car; You decide what direction it will lead you!
A UC major and a future career…. What is the connection? • The major is a STARTING Point. • Choosing a major does not mean a student has chosen a career • It is not true that most majors lead directly to particular jobs • There are a variety of career paths related to a major not just one
GUESS THE MAJOR…. • Sonia Sotomayor (Supreme Court Justice) • Will Ferrell (Actor/Comedian) • Carly Fiorina (Businesswoman/Politician) • Natalie Portman (Actress) • Michael Jordan (Basketball Legend) • Oprah Winfrey (Talk Show Host)
ANSWERS…. • Sonia Sotomayor (Supreme Court Justice) • History • Will Ferrell (Actor/Comedian) • Sports Broadcasting • Carly Fiorina (Businesswoman/Politician) • Philosophy and Medieval History • Natalie Portman (Actress) • Psychology • Michael Jordan (Basketball Legend) • Geography • Oprah Winfrey (Talk Show Host) • Speech and Drama
WHY DO STUDENTS CHOOSE A MAJOR? • They based their decision on its perceived earning potential • They followed the advice or in some cases (the demands) of friends and family • They drifted into their major • Other reasons: -Inspiration from teachers -Exposure to internships -Taking a course in the specific major
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT? • Selective/Impacted Majors • What’s the Best Fit • Alternative Majors • Time to Degree • Limited Options to Change Majors
CONNECTING MAJORS AND JOBS…. • Many people end up working in careers that are not directly related to their majors. Why? • Most jobs are NOT major specific or will consider any major • People’s interests change as they develop • People want to study one thing but work in a different area • Most majors are theoretical • Most majors teach very transferrable skills • Additional experiences paved their career paths
REGARDING MAJORS…. • Many companies seek employees with any major. Why? • A college degree says a lot about you • Hard working • Time management • Team player • Presentation skills • Research skills • Writing abilities • Critical thinking skills • Multi-tasking skills
KEEP IN MIND…. • Employers are often more concerned about your SKILLS than they are about your specific major. • Companies are willing to train newly graduated college students in any major for specific positions. (e.g. Rotational Program) • Some companies or organizations might be looking for specific skills, experience and abilities.
DESIRED SKILLS…. • Multiple languages • Good Communication Skills (writing, verbal) • Interpersonal skills (problem solving, constructive feedback, initiative, etc.) • Management/Leadership • Evidence of perseverance • Analytical skills • Collaboration/teamwork
BUILDING A “TOTAL PACKAGE” • Leadership experience • Internships • Research • Student clubs and activities • Volunteer experience • Studying abroad • Networking • Build a social media presence (ex. Linkedln) • Learn how to put together a good resume and personal statement and work on your interview skills
MORE ABOUT INTERNSHIPS Internships provide: • Skill development and professional training • “Real world” experience and a chance to apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom • An opportunity to “test drive” a career • Mentoring and networking opportunities
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS • Law schools/business schools accept any major • You can major in various areas and go to medical school if you have the requirements for admissions • Masters and PhD programs are looking for you to meet prerequisites and demonstrate the following: • Evidence that you can do well in the program and that you will be able to handle the rigorous work • A good personal statement and demonstrate interest in the program • Reference letters that can attest to your ability and preparedness for graduate school • Good graduate test scores and undergraduate grade point average
PATHS TO A CAREER • Careers stories are unique - and people change careers several times in their lives • Linear Pathways (e.g. Engineering major to career) • Careers that may require more planning (e.g. advanced degrees) • Additional Considerations: - New careers will develop that don’t exist today - Personal skills/interests/values change over time
CAMPUS RESOURCES • Campus Career Center • Free for students • Individual & group advising • Assessment tools • Job Shadow Programs • Fairs and Special Events • Job & Internship fairs • Graduate School Fairs • Multi Cultural Career Conference • Alumni Networking events
OTHER RESOURCES • Career Advice Videos http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=474&partid=0&apass=/j8bKfreUnYuxo/GZaXXdQ==&id=1149&pref=http://careers.ucsc.edu/index.html&src=VLI& • Career Guidehttp://career.ucla.edu/Files/PDF/CareerGuide/2013/CG_2013_2014_Chapter2_091313.pdf • Career Maphttp://www.onetonline.org/ • Exploring Your Majorhttp://uncw.edu/career/WhatCanIDoWithaMajorIn.html