DeSales University
Center Valley Campus
2755 Station Ave
Center Valley, PA
610.282.1100
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Choosing a Major or Career

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Major and career exploration is a process that requires you to reflect on your values, personality, interests, and skills. The Career Services Office offers tools to guide you in making these decisions. 

About the Process of Choosing a Major

• Some common myths about choosing a college major. (Penn State) Example: Choosing a major and choosing a career are not the same thing.
• Don't panic! The process of discovering your career path is a journey, and there are multiple steps to assist you.

About DeSales University Majors

• Undergraduate departments/majors- an overview of majors offered at DeSales
• What Can I Do With This Major?
• Undergraduate Course Catalog- the university's official document for specific academic program course requirements

Resources Available (to help advise and inform you about majors)

• Faculty and/or staff in each major academic department whom you can consult about career options associated with their majors
• Career Services staff can help you sort out the decisions you make, and help you find and use assessments/resources that will help you (we cannot advise you on course requirements for majors and minors; you must consult the department offering the major or minor)
• Conduct informational interviews, which consists of talking to people in your career field of interest
• One-line and internet based resources:

MyPlan - This online career assessment tool allows you to assess your personality, skills, interests, and values.  In addition, this resource provides you with detailed information on various career options (i.e. salary, education required, job training, similar career titles)

Instructions:
1. Log into: www.desales.myplan.com
2. To get started click on the "Create Account" tab. 
3. Complete the information requested, and on the second page enter the License Code: K3JH3GWE. Chose the "Assessment" tab to access and complete the following assessments: Personality, Skills Profiler, Interest Inventory, Values Assessment
5. You can view your results by clicking on "My Portfolio" on the left menu, and then choosing the assessments you completed. The "Career Match" tab within each report offers a list of occupations for your consideration. If you click on the individual matches, it will bring you to further information on those individual careers.  There is also a tab called "Majors," which shares with you various resources on searching for and gathering information on majors and degrees.

After completing the MyPlan assessment please contact career services to schedule an appointment to discuss your results and how to move forward in your major/career exploration process! Dooling Hall Room 121, 610-282-1100 X1738

Additional Resources: Career Exploration

Career Profiles
MyMajors
O*NET Online
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Wet Feet: Career Profiles
Careers.org
Career Informational Interviews

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