When you choose a major or a career it is important to think of it as a process, not just a decision.  Start with a list of possible options and narrow down the list at every step.

Step 1: Understand what you want and choose which options work the best for you.
Step 2: Do some research on those options
Step 3: Try out one or two of them to learn more about yourself and what options work for you.

Keep learning researching and trying options till you find a good choice that might work for you.

Remember
You will have several careers during your life.  You are just picking the first one.

  • Knowing what you want/Self Assessment

    When you start to think about choosing a major or career, you need to know what you want.  Things to think about include;

    • What do you like to do?
    • What are you good at?
    • What is important to you (your values)
    • Where do you want to work – the environment and the geographic location
    • What would match your personality

     

    Focus 2 is an on-line self-assessment tool you can use to discover your interests, skills, values, and personality type. Based on your results, Focus 2 will recommend careers and provide information about those careers. You can also assess your career readiness and get suggestions on how to improve.  After you take one or more of the assessments, make an appointment to help you understand the results.

  • Exploring Majors
    When choosing a major, you should consider what you are interested in and what you think you can do well in.  Many careers do not require a particular major, but if you have already chosen a career you should meet with a Career advisor to see which majors might help you prepare best for that career.  You can also use our Career Exploration resources to find that information as well. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss all of the majors that you are considering to ensure you can meet all of the requirements.
    Here are some other resources that may help; Munch with the Majors and Four Year Plans
  • Exploring Careers

    There are several different ways to learn more about a specific career. You can get a lot of information by looking online using our Career Exploration resources.

    You can also learn from people who are currently in that career.  UCAN is a great way to connect to alumni in different career fields.

    Sometimes the best way to find out about a career is to try it out.  Internships, volunteer work and student organizations are all ways to try something out to see if you like it.  It also helps you build experience or your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

Demystifying USA Jobs – Applying for Federal Jobs Workshop – Tomorrow, Weds, June 29 at 12:30 p.m.!

Calling all students and alumni who may be interested in pursuing a career in the government!

Join in for a virtual Zoom workshop tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29th at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. to learn more and to demystify USA …

By Megumi Kim (she/her)
Megumi Kim (she/her)
Read more

How to Use Personality Type to Find a Career You Love

Sometimes it takes time to find a career you love. If yours doesn’t feel right, now might be the best time to make a change for the better. Over 40% of the global workforce is on the brink of resigning, …

By Ivy Exec
Ivy Exec is your dedicated career development resource.
Read more

A Guide to Changing Careers

What do you want to be when you grow up?  We change our answer as we get older.  As kids, we went from wanting to be cowboys to then changing our answers to include police officers, astronauts, and rocket scientists. …

Read more

7 Questions to Ask Yourself That Are More Important Than “What’s My Passion?”

If you're a millennial or a Gen Z’er, you've probably been taught that the key element to choosing a career involves “discovering your passions.” Perhaps a counselor, teacher, or parent has even told you that “if you love what you …

Read more

Sidebar

Featured Resources

Career Readiness Competencies

The National Association of College and Employers (NACE) came up with a list of eight Career Readiness Competencies that employers …

Academic Advising is committed to helping you graduate from the University at Albany in four years. The four-year plan serves …

Featured Classes

Contact & Location

Phone
(518) 437-4900
Address

Science Library - G50
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222

CPD Service Hours

Day of the week
Office Hours Undergraduate Resume Drop-ins-
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 11:30 - 4:00
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1:30- 4:00
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2:00 - 4:00
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 3:00 - 4:30
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.