NE plans career planning activity
by Long Yangyingxong, reporter

    Counselors helped students with career planning on NE Campus last week.

   Amos McCluney and David Brownlie, NE Campus counselors, helped students by explaining what factors they need to look at when considering a career or major.

   “No matter what you do, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing 80 percent of the time, it’s not for you. You’re not going to be happy,” McCluney said.

   Regardless of how much money one makes, or the employee benefits, if a job does not provide the kinds of things one has a strong interest in, that career may not be the right one, McCluney said.

   Students must weigh their values as well as the degree of skill and ability they have for that career.

   They must see if they have the right personality to meet the demands of the job, Brownlie said.

   To begin the career development process, students must become aware and explore the careers that reflect their interests.

   They must weigh the pros and cons that job entails. After weeding out and making a decision, students must educate themselves in that field.

   Students do not have to stick to one occupation because there are no perfect jobs, McCluney said.

   “You may have many jobs or only one job that carries you throughout your life,” he said.

   Students can take advantage of the career and job placement center to try and obtain a job according to their interests and values.

   Another source for career information is the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which gives basic information on occupations such as job description, salary, other fields related to it, future demand for that occupation and contact information to speak to people in that profession, Brownlie said.

   A copy of the handbook is located in the counseling center, library and online at www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm.

   The Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance offers the same information and is located in the library.

   Both counselors suggest that students take the Self-Directed Search and Strong Interest Inventory (SDS and SII) to narrow down their career choices.

   The SDS and SII will give students a list of choices and specific careers based on their interests, values, skills, abilities and influences.

   To take the SDS and SII, students need a referral from the counseling center. They will then go to the Testing Center to take the inventories.

   The inventories should take 45-60 minutes to complete.

   After getting the results, students will need to make an appointment with a counselor to discuss their career path.

   The counseling center also offers degree planning.

   “What the degree plan does is allow you to know specifically what basic courses and electives you need to take in relation to your major. Therefore, when you transfer to your four-year school, you are ready to start on courses primarily for your major,” McCluney said.

   “Success is what’s important to you,” Brownlie said.

   Once people get into a career they enjoy, they feel somewhat successful because they can overcome obstacles.

   They can also give back whatever they have received, McCluney said.