Many students are undecided about their career and have no idea what major to select. For guidance and assistance learning about career options visit with a career counselor at  the Student Success Center located in MRC North  Annex, phone # 882- 8292. Appointments and walk-ins are welcomed.

 For your convenience, the following questions may help you learn more about career counseling.

Does career counseling take long?  Career Counseling is a process and it takes as long as it is necessary for each student. However, students generally visit with a counselor for 3-4 sessions for approximately 50 minutes each session.

What do I do during these sessions? Students may take interest inventories; review the results, explore the world of work, research an occupation/profession, view the occupational handbook and develop a career path. Additionally, students can receive help with transfer information if a y selected major is not offered at UTB/TSC.

Is there a fee to take the CHOICES or any other interest inventory? There are several interest inventories available on the internet free of charge. We also offer “CHOICES” assessment, free of charge to UTB/TSC students provided by the Student Success Center.

When should I declare a major?
Many students change their major during the first two years of college.  The sooner a major is selected, the less likely students will take unnecessary courses and the sooner they graduate.  Choosing a major gives students a guiding purpose and helps with goal preparation for a future career.

 How do I declare or change majors? One of the Career Counselors primary goal is to help students make a well informed decision to  select a career path and choose a major that will fit with their interests and aptitudes.  Once this goal is reached, a referral will be made with one of the Academic Advisors who will provide an official degree plan and declare the selected major on the computer system.

 What’s the difference between a minor and a major?
A major is the primary program of courses meeting the requirements for a specific degree. Minors are not mandatory, instead they are a chance to tailor a degree and usually require 15 to 18 hours on a specific field different from the major. Not all the degrees allow for a minor. Please consult with the Academic Advisement Center to learn more about minors offered in this university.

 How does my major relate to a career?
Developing a career path is another topic that can be discussed with a career counselor. A major in Biology opens career doors beyond being a biologist.  A major in History opens career doors beyond being a Historian.  Learning in a major field, helps equip students with transferable skills such as critical thinking, conducting research; creative thinking that will apply to a variety of jobs in many career fields.  A College education will shape students into a well-rounded worker that employers in today’s global marketplace are looking to hire. Remember, that in the fast paced changing world we live in, most college graduates will likely change jobs and career fields several times in their lifetime.

 Should I consider the job market demand in selecting a major?
In an ever changing world it is realistic to consider changes in the job market for job security for specific career paths and a major.  However, the job market should not be the main factor used to determine an academic field or career choice. It is worth considering that job market can change rapidly, and the factors affecting it are often unpredictable. The careers in demand today when a student is a freshman may not be in demand by the time graduation arrives. It is more important to select a major or choose career goals that are genuinely interesting. New career fields and jobs emerge as a result of changes in technology and economic trends. Certain careers available in the future may not exist yet but a college education helps students prepare with flexibility and transferable skills for new opportunities in the future!

 How can I gain experience and build job skills?
Internships, summer jobs, part-time jobs, and volunteer activities are great ways to start building the skills required for the competitive job market.  Participation in student organizations, joining athletic teams, and social groups are other ways to build experiences and refine skills. They can play an important part in developing greater understanding of yourself and the world of work. Involvement with these activities can help develop and shape career goals. Please contact the Career Services Department in the Old Education Building to help you locate internships and part-time jobs, polish resumes, and prepare for interviews.