The Process

Choosing a Major or Career
The following steps are key to the process of making these decisions: (Make an appointment with a Career Counselor to assist you in moving through these steps: 360.416.7654)

1. KNOW YOURSELF
This step is a critical first step! Before you can choose a major or career, you need to take stock of who you are. This entails clarifying your values, identifying your interests and preferences, and assessing your skills ( those you have and those you want to learn). This process helps you to make informed and satisfying decisions about your life and career.

2. EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
After doing a thorough self-assessment, the next step is to gather information about majors and occupations that are a good match. The best way to get this information is through a combination of printed materials, Internet resources, talking with others, and life experience.

3. CHOOSE ONE OPTION
In order to move forward, you must choose one of your identified options and commit to it. This requires that you let go of other options, either temporarily or permanently. This may be hard if you have many options but it is possible and necessary.

4. DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN
Developing an action plan is a critical life skill. It takes you in the direction of realizing your chosen option and involves setting goals, defining objectives, identifying actions, and carrying out these actions in a purposeful manner.

5. EVALUATE YOUR DECISION; REVISE, IF NECESSARY
Evaluating your decision in the face of new information, personal changes, and unforeseen obstacles is important. It may be that your initial self-assessment was incomplete or that your chosen option was not the most appropriate. Whatever the reason, evaluating your decision is a positive step and can be a powerful learning experience.

> e-mail: pchurch@skagit.edu

The Process

Career Pathways Diagrams