Career Exploration &

Navigation
Identifying a path, mapping your way to success
Introduction

Discuss the anxiety around selecting a Career/Major

Offering some tools that can aid in helping make a more informed decision
Map out a path to success
Looking at key classes, jobs, internships that can help you
Understanding “Transferable Skills”
Administer the SDS Assessment
Who Am I

• Mr. Justin H. Tucker

• Education
• Sports Management, BA, Johnson & Wales University, 2009
• Higher Education Administration, MA, Stony Brook University, 2017
• Work Experience
• Career Job Developer, SUNY Bronx EOC, Bronx Community College (Currently)
• College Advisor, College Success Office, HCZ (2014-2017)
• US ARMY National Guard (2013- 2021)
• Relationship Banker, J.P. Morgan Chase (2010 - 2014)
• Personal Interest
• Social Justice and Black History
• Hip Hop Culture, Concentration Classic Rap Music (1984-2004*)
• Increasing Black Male Persistence and Graduation Rates at the University Level
• Male Fashion and Education on Professional Dress
 Why?
❑ Students find a new or different major which supports
their interests, values, passion, or personality.
❑ Students choose a career that is practical – something that
will pay the bills.
❑ No one asked the right questions at the initial admissions
intake process.
❑ Students may listen to outside influences on what career
they should go into.

Reference: National Center for Education Statistics, 2013.

About one-third (31 percent) of college-educated
American workers age 35 and older are never
employed within their degree field.*

Life Happens to us all, and sometimes we handle it differently

• Work Force is a challenge, we adapt to stay relevant

• Struggling in school to maintain degree program
• Sometimes we postpone dreams to stay afloat
• Burnout from schooling
• Lack of financial support, to continue career pursuit
• Change of heart
• No longer maintain that interest or others have emerged.

Reference: November 2013 study by CareerBuilder

3 Stages of Career Exploration

Stage 1 : Determine Your Interests

Stage 2: Discover Your Career
Stage 3: Plan your Goals
 Stage 1: Determine Your Interests

Knowing about yourself is the basis of career decision-making. What are

your interests, skills, and values? What is important to you about your
work? What are your personal traits and characteristics? Ask yourself:

» What do I like to do?

» What do I value?
» What motivates me? What keeps my curiosity?
» What skills do I possess? What new ones can I develop?
“Typical” Outside Influences Used to
Choose a Career

TV = There is a big difference between TV drama and “real life”. 

Friends = They’ll know what sounds “cool”, but unless
they have proactively used the career /college
tools available, they are probably not a knowledgeable
source of information.
Life’s Interactions = OK, you have used the services of
Dentists, Pharmacists, Teachers, etc. but… Do you
really know what it is like to do their job?
Parent = A great source, if your parent’s career happens
to be “the right one” out of several hundred
possibilities for you.
 Stage 2: Discover Your
Career

Learning about the careers, types of jobs, educational requirements, and

job functions are important in understanding the careers that fit your
interests and goals. You may ask yourself:

» What are examples of careers in my chosen major or field of

interest?
» What job titles interest me?
» What type of work environments do I like?
» Where can I go to research my chosen career or field of interest?
» Transferable Skills
 Stage 3: Plan your Goals

“Choose a job you love, and you will

never have to work a day in your
life.” (Confucius)
Take what you have learned about yourself and piece it together with the reality
of the world of work. Begin to evaluate career options that are practical for you.
Use decision-making and action planning skills to identify successful career and
life plans. Some important questions include:
» Do I have the resources to pursue these options?
» What challenges might be presented during my educational pursuit? In the job market?
» What else do I need to know to identify my career objectives?
» Do I need to conduct more self-assessment or career research to make a career
decision?
Career Planning…Personality, Interest
and Values Assessments

Knowing yourself sets the stage for

choosing careers that are right for you.
It makes sense to choose a career that
fits your personality strengths, values,
interests, and skills.
 People who choose a career or major that matches or is
similar to their personality or interest type are more likely to
be successful and satisfied.
Theory of John Holland

• John Holland, a psychologist who was drafted by the

army in WW2, developed a classification system for
jobs in the military based upon his theory describing
six work environments and six vocational
personalities.
• Holland believed that career choice is an extension
of a person's personality. People express themselves,
their interests and values through their work
choices and experience.
• Holland assigns both people and work environments
into specific types or themes.
Holland’s four basic assumptions

• 1.People are types

• 2. Environments are types
• 3. Birds of a feather flock together
• 4. Behavior = ƒ(congruence)
Holland’s Six Personality Types

• In our culture most people are stronger in one personality type than
another.
• All professions may require to some degree, all personality types.
• People who work in a profession and environment that fits their
“personality” tend to be successful and satisfied.
Why would I take an “SDS”
Assessment?
The Self Directed Search (SDS) is a personality Career Assessment.

Assessments are used to measure or have an idea where someone

stands

This is for reference should not be taken as FACT

Can be used to help explore additional career fields that may have not
been considered in the past.

This instrument can help you identify who you are and what may
interest you more.
College majors and personality….

The key to finding a satisfying career is to match your fundamental interests and
personality type with occupations.
A Social person would go crazy sitting alone in an office all day.
An Artistic person would probably hate having to conform to a set of
strict rules in a job.
That is why career and vocational test can be so helpful.

AND…
Assessments using Holland Personality Types provide information on the relationship
between job personalities and key characteristics, college majors, hobbies, abilities,
and related careers.

Reference: John Holland (1985) Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.) Odessa, FL.:
Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.
 In fact…

The Holland personality types are strong predictors of the majors students choose,
and the impact of this choice lasts far beyond student learning and success in
college -- job stability, salaries earned, job satisfaction, and career
opportunities.
(Porter & Umbach, 2006)

The more students choose a college major compatible with their “Holland
personality type”, the more likely they are to:
❖ Earn higher grades,
❖ Persist in their choice of major,
❖ Graduate on time, and
❖ Be more satisfied and successful in their career
(Kristof-Brown, et al., 2005).
What is the “SDS”
 Realistic (R)

● Realistic people like realistic careers such as auto mechanic, aircraft

controller, surveyor, electrician, and farmer.

● The R type usually has mechanical and athletic abilities, and likes to
work outdoors and with tools and machines.

● The R type generally likes to work with things more than with people.

● The R type is described as conforming, frank, genuine, hardheaded,

honest, humble, materialistic, modest, natural, normal, persistent,
practical, shy, and thrifty.
Investigative (I)

● Investigative (I) people like investigative careers such as biologist,

chemist, physicist, geologist, anthropologist, laboratory assistant, and
medical technician.

● The I type usually has math and science abilities, and likes to work alone
and to solve problems.

● The I type generally likes to explore and understand things or events, rather
than persuade others or sell them things.

● The I type is described as analytical, cautious, complex, critical, curious,

independent, intellectual, introverted, methodical, modest, pessimistic,
precise, rational, and reserved.
Artistic (A)

● Artistic (A) people like artistic careers such as composer, musician,

stage director, dancer, interior decorator, actor, and writer.

● The A type usually has artistic skills, enjoys creating original work, and
has a good imagination.

● The A type generally likes to work with creative ideas and self-
expression more than routines and rules.

● The A type is described as complicated, disorderly, emotional,

expressive, idealistic, imaginative, impractical, impulsive, independent,
introspective, intuitive, nonconforming, open, and original.
Social (S)

● Social (S) people like social careers such as teacher, speech therapist,
religious worker, counselor, clinical psychologist, and nurse.

● The S type usually likes to be around other people, is interested in how

people get along, and likes to help other people with their problems.

● The S type generally likes to help, teach, and counsel people more than
engage in mechanical or technical activity.

● The S type is described as convincing, cooperative, friendly, generous,

helpful, idealistic, kind, patient, responsible, social, sympathetic, tactful,
understanding, and warm.
Enterprising (E)

● Enterprising (E) people like enterprising careers such as buyer, sports

promoter, television producer, business executive, salesperson, travel
agent, supervisor, and manager.

● The E type usually has leadership and public speaking abilities, is

interested in money and politics, and likes to influence people.

● The E type generally likes to persuade or direct others more than work
on scientific or complicated topics.

● The E type is described as acquisitive, adventurous, agreeable,

ambitious, attention-getting, domineering, energetic, extroverted,
impulsive, optimistic, pleasure-seeking, popular, self-confident, and
sociable.
 Conventional (C)

● Conventional (C) people like conventional careers such as bookkeeper,

financial analyst, banker, tax expert, secretary, and radio dispatcher.

● The C type has clerical and math abilities, likes to work indoors and to
organize things.

● The C type generally likes to follow orderly routines and meet clear
standards, avoiding work that does not have clear directions.

● The C type is described as conforming, conscientious, careful, efficient,

inhibited, obedient, orderly, persistent, practical, thrifty, and
unimaginative.
What is your Holland’s
personality type?
Let’s take 30
minutes to
complete the
assessment and
review the results
What is YOUR Holland Code?
RIS CSI
RCE CSE
RIC CES
RCI AES
REC AER
RIE ASC
CRS ESA
CIE ESC
CSR ECR
IRE ESR
IRC ISE
IRS SIR
SRI SAE
SRC SEC
SAI SCE
Degrees of Separation
Concept of the Game.

Make Connections with each other showing how closely we are related and how much we share in common.

Create a Big Circle in the Room, linking us all.

Find Areas that you are “Comfortable” sharing aloud in a group.

ex. My Favorite Restaurant to eat at is “Benihana’s,” I connect with one person that shares
that interest.

Must link with someone that you did not go to school with*

Crowd Participation is welcome for topics people can use to link.

Please let’s all speak one person at a time.

Swap It
Concept of the Game.

Make Connections with each other showing how closely we are related and how much we share in common.

Create a Big Circle in the Room with chairs, One person in the middle.

Find Areas that you are “Comfortable” sharing aloud in a group.

ex. Swap for anyone that is taking American History Class in the fall. All students taking
American History class in the fall will sit in the first seat they see. Please be honest

In order to take a seat you must make wait for the person in the middle to leave the center,
the last person standing will now continue the game.

Crowd Participation is welcome for topics people can use to link.

Please let’s all speak one person at a time.

Mapping out the Road to Success
Part 2
Freshman Year – Academic Focus

• Academics!!!! (you got here now stay here!!!)

• Visit the Advising Center and schedule your First Appointment with a Peer Advisor.
• Participate in on campus activities (Get Involved)
• Attend learning assistance workshops Evaluate the level of effort you are giving in
classes, your time management, and the quality of your study techniques.
• If you are undeclared, take electives that are available to you; consider studying
something you have had no exposure to or something that interests you
• Learn the academic system, Learn the players
• Know your professors, make sure they know you
• Know the Dean’s of the department you are interested in
• Seek assistance from the University resources
• Attend lectures and special presentations on campus.
Freshmen Year – Career Focus

• Find out where Career Development Services is on campus to begin the

process of exploring career paths and selecting a major.
• Seek career counseling and take self-assessments to explore and clarify your
interests, skills, values and personality type
• Read newspapers, magazines and books and note what jobs people do and
what the stories tell you about the jobs.
• Talk about your career interests or inquiries with parents, friends, professors
and other employed professionals.
• Attend workshops offered by Career Development Services.
• Volunteer or join an organization related to your interests.
• Research part-time and summer job opportunities to gain work experience
and learn about your work preferences.
Freshman Year – Personal/Social

• Get settled in and enjoy your freshman year!

• Adjust to college life and connect to resources, people, and activities on
campus
• Build your social skills in order to communicate with people easily and
receive valuable information from them.
• Learn about and join organizations/clubs on campus.
• Attend student events offered through:
• Student Life
• Student Leadership Programs
• Housing and Residential Education
• Hang with like minded people (Your network determines your Net Worth)
Sophomore Year – Academic Focus

• If you have not chosen a major, make this a high priority. Find upper class students who are
majoring in the subjects you are considering, they can tell you the realities of the course of
study.
• Even if your mind is made up regarding your major choice, consider the course sequences for
a different major. Also, consider a minor. Minors are frequently overlooked and can
be a source of great interest.
• If you have declared your major, meet with a faculty advisor to acquire their expertise and
assistance in the major. If you have not declared a major, meet with faculty advisors from
prospective majors to receive information about expectations of the programs.
• Visit the Advising Center and schedule an appointment to make sure you are on track or to
obtain information on major and graduation requirements.
• Register for as many courses as possible in your major for the fall. By taking major courses
early, you will be able to determine whether you have made the right choice.
• Keep your GPA up! Seek assistance if needed.
• Consider International Programs; attend a study abroad information meeting.
• Attend lectures and special presentations on campus.
Sophomore Year – Career Focus

• Meet with a Career Counselor to evaluate your career goals, options, and objectives.
• Learn to write a resume and cover letter.
• Attend career fairs and other career-related programs to increase your knowledge of
the full range of work that people perform.
• Conduct informational interviews with people who work in career fields of interest to
you. By interviewing people in positions you are interested in, you gain insight and
often internships.
• Learn more about the job market by browsing through the Occupational Outlook
Handbook and research other materials at the Career Development Services’ library
and the Internet.
• Pursue internships or volunteer opportunities in your field of interest that will provide
training and opportunities to develop essential skills and experience.
• If you are considering graduate school, begin researching the schools that offer
graduate programs. Visit the websites of these universities for their admission
requirements.
Sophomore Year – Personal/Social

• Join another club or organization.

• Consider applying for a Resident Assistant position.
• Participate in volunteer activities. Being involved demonstrates to employers that
you have well-developed social skills and can work collaboratively and cooperatively.
• Make an effort to meet students with different backgrounds than you.
• Attend sophomore-focused events (i.e. Major Fair).
• Attend student events
• Now is the time to explore different careers. One of the best ways to explore
different options is through internships, which give you the chance to experience
various work cultures, network with professionals in your areas of interest, and gain
valuable skills while integrating classroom learning. Check out internship
opportunities at Career Development Services. 
• Do Not Waste Your Summers,Work, Network, Volunteer, start trying to get
in the door.
Junior Year – Academic Focus

• Visit the Advising Center and schedule a appointment with an academic

advisor to determine remaining GE requirements, transferable courses,
possible course substitutions and major requirements.
• Familiarize yourself with the academic system: catalog, registration
procedures, and deadlines for adding/dropping (third week of the semester).
• Think about adding another major, minor or emphasis to expand your career
options.
• Work hard in your courses so that you earn a high grade point average in your
major. Employers sometimes ask potential employees about their overall
grade point average in their major.
• Get to know the professors in your major by stopping in during office hours
and asking them questions
• Seek assistance if needed.
• Attend lectures and special presentations on campus.
Junior Year – Career Focus

• Meet with a Career Counselor to identify/confirm your values, interests and

goals related to postgraduate options.
• Attend workshops offered by Career Development Services and
research employment or internship opportunities.
• Gain career-related work and leadership experience through internships,
jobs and volunteer activities.
• Research companies, non-profits, government agencies, schools, colleges, etc.
to see where your passion is and what type of environment is your best fit.
• Go to job fairs to get an idea of what is being offered.
• If your career choice requires an advanced degree, start researching. Find out
what admissions tests are necessary and start studying well in advance. Be
aware of application deadlines and start collecting application materials such
as letters of recommendation and transcripts.
Junior Year – Personal/Social

• Learn about and join organizations/clubs on campus.

• Seek leadership opportunities by running for an elected office or becoming a
leader in your club.
• Consider applying for a Resident Assistant position (after completing first
semester).
• Share your knowledge with younger students by tutoring, counseling or
advising.
• Explore community service activities.
• Consider attending the Graduate School Fair.
• Start considering life after college
• Living
• work
Senior Year – Academic Focus

• Make sure all requirements have been met or are in progress.

• Send out graduate school applications and complete appropriate
financial aid forms on time, if applicable.
• Master writing, oral communication and computer skills.
• Attend lectures and special presentations on campus.
Senior Year – Career Focus

• Make an appointment early in the year with a counselor in Career Development Services to get
assistance on goals related to postgraduate options, job leads, resume and cover letter writing or
critiquing, and assistance in interviewing.
• Attend workshops offered by Career Development Services for successful job search tactics.
• Get another internship! Building your resume while you are in school will give you experience to go
along with your degree, making you more marketable upon graduation.
• Continue conducting informational interviews with people in your field of choice, or talk with alumni
about their first year on the job and some of the challenges you can expect.
• Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, employers, advisors, counselors, and others now
while they still remember you. Ask for their permission to include them as a reference on job
applications or for graduate schools.
• Go to job fairs to distribute your resume and familiarize yourself with opportunities that are available.
• Network with your contacts from informational interviews or internships to identify job opportunities
and receive referrals.
• Contact professional organizations in your career field. They have the latest information about trends in
the field; ask about upcoming seminars they may be sponsoring nearby - another great way to network.
Senior Year – Personal/Social

• Evaluate your interests and values to determine your post-graduation

plans.
• Periodically review your career and life goals.
• Develop a budget and evaluate financial responsibilities.
• Develop a list of professional and academic references.
• Attend senior-focused events (i.e. Grad Fair, Grad Fest).
 Words of advice

Embrace the struggle, adversity builds character

If there is no struggle there is no progress
Don’t worry so much about how you start, focus on how you finish
Showing up “consistently” is half the battle
Try to always put your best foot forward
You might make some mistakes do not dwell on them, if you learned
something, you did not lose.

Enjoy yourself
College is the time of