Navigation of the Career Development Process

You are at Stage 1 if you are interested in learning about your unique interests and preferences, while discovering how these aspects of yourself relate to different career options.

• Who am I? What do I want?
• What are my skills, interests, values, strengths, and personality preferences?
• What is my idea of work and a career? What is a good fit for me?
• What motivates me? How do I like to spend my time?
• What are my fears and barriers?

Possible Stage 1 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Assessments, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Site Licensed programs such as Type Focus, Ability Profiler, MicroSkills, and/or Choices360; Review and discuss your results with a Career Counselor.

You are at Stage 2 if you are ready to explore majors and research career options that might be a good fit by using our wide range of services and online resources.

• What occupations surfaced on your career assessments?
• What are the job duties, salaries, and work environments for various careers?
• What skills do you need to develop to be successful for the jobs you are exploring?
• What educational requirements are necessary to reach your desired career?
• What tools are available to investigate occupations, fields of interest, or career pathways?

Possible Stage 2 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, Site Licensed programs such as Eureka, Focus2, Chronicle Career Library, and/or O*Net; CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Review and discuss your research with a Career Counselor.

You are at Stage 3 when you are narrowing down your academic and career options, have started to put the puzzle pieces together, are moving toward making decisions, and setting short-term and long-term goals.

• What are some short-term and long-term goals that will allow you to reach your chosen career?
• What are your barriers to making a decision?
• How do you analyze the information you gathered in your research and exploration stage?
• Are you able to define your specific career goals and make tentative career decisions?
• How do you conduct an informational interview? How do you connect with people who work in careers that interest you?

Possible Stage 3 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Site Licensed programs such as Candid Career Videos, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, Vocational Biographies, and/or Choices360; Review and discuss your goals with a Career Counselor.

You are at Stage 4 if you are developing confidence in your major/career choices, academic decisions, and are ready to develop a Student Educational Plan (SEP).

• Have you met with your Academic Counselor?
• How will you attain your educational and career goals?
• Do you have a Student Education Plan (SEP) on File?
• What prerequisites or major-specific courses should you be taking?
• Are you reviewing and reevaluating your self-assessments, exploration, and decision process from (Stages 1-3)?
• Have you looked into internship opportunities that would align with your educational plan and goals?
• Have you gone to the Transfer Center, attended Transfer Fairs/Workshops, or made an appointment with a University Rep?

Possible Stage 4 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Revisit Stages 1-3 of the Career Development Process; Site Licensed programs such as Focus2, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, and/or Eureka’s Funding Finder; Review and discuss your plan with an Academic Counselor or Career Counselor.

You are at Stage 5 when you are preparing to present yourself with confidence, and develop strategies for transitioning from college to a career.

• Have you developed transferrable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills?
• Have you been building your résumé and career portfolio with extracurricular activities, community involvement, and student participation in clubs or class activities?
• Have you created your LinkedIn account, developed your profile, joined groups, and built a professional network?
• How have you overcome barriers and stayed motivated?
• Have you identified or participated in work-based learning or internships?
• Do you have a mentor?
• Have you learned how to find meaningful work, and how to interview confidently?

Possible Stage 5 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, and Site Licensed programs such as Career Cruising, Choices360, Candid Career Videos, and/or Type Focus; Review and discuss your preparation with a Career Counselor.