MajorCareerExplorationPaper

CSE 1411: Exploring Careers in Science and Engineering

Spring 2012

Major/Career Exploration Assignment

PART ONE: Major/Career Exploration Paper

Purpose:

Gain research skills and exposure to various sources of career information (including

conducting an informational interview)

Learn more about career options for one major in depth

Begin to develop your network in the career area you are considering (up to 70% of jobs are found through networking).

Learn about one person’s career path in-depth

Reflect on one major/career to assess personal fit

Chose a major you are interested in exploring. Research that major and related career fields

utilizing the “Major & Career Exploration” handout and other resources discussed in class.

Then Interview one person who works in a related career field to the major you researched in-person (ideal) or on the phone/skype about their job to further explore the major and career.

Remember, you are required to interview someone you do not know personally and it cannot be a guest speaker from class. Personal contacts are a great resource because they can refer you

to someone that you do not know. The CCSE also can be helpful in identifying contacts such as through the employer directory on GoldPASS.

Write a 6-8 double spaced page paper regarding what you learned through your research and your interview (be sure to include a reference page). You also must give me (via email or as the

last page of your paper) a copy of the thank-you note you sent to the person you interviewed. Due Date: Feb.22 by 2pm via moodle.

Major/Career Research Questions: **Must address each of these questions in your paper** What are some of the educational requirements for this major (required coursework,

elective coursework that is interesting to you, GPA required to be accepted to upper division, years to graduate)?Hint: Visit the Academic Advising Center (Lind 130), the department of the major you are interested in, or the department’s website to find this information.

What opportunities are there on campus associated with this major (student

organizations, research, study abroad, etc.?) Which of these opportunities interests you and why?

What are some of the skills, abilities, interests, values, work styles, knowledge areas, and work activities associated with this major/career?

What are some of the entry-level jobs associated with this field?

What is the average starting salary for this major?

What is the occupational outlook for people in this field (greater or fewer openings in

the future)?


Spring 2012

Questions to ask your interviewee: **These are example of questions you could ask, you do not need to ask all of them. Consider what information would be the most helpful to you. Incorporate what you learned from asking your interview questions into your paper.**

How would you describe your organization’s purpose? How would you describe the

culture of the organization?

What do you do on a day-to-day basis (typical responsibilities)? And/or: What is a current project you are working on?

What is your educational background and previous work experience?

What qualities (e.g. skills, personality, strengths) might be important for success in

this career field?

What types of activities or experiences (i.e. clubs, organizations, internships, co-ops,

minors, learning abroad, volunteering, etc.) would enhance career potential with this major?

What are the typical “career paths” for people in this occupation?

What are the most satisfying and difficult aspects of working in this field?

Is there anyone you could recommend I speak with to further explore this career and/or company?

Any questions you have!

Reflection Questions: *In addition to reflecting on the questions you researched and the information gained from your interview, include the following in your paper*:

What was the most valuable information you learned from researching this

major/career and conducting your interview? How will you use this information to your benefit?

Reflect on your overall impression of the occupation and work environment. What did you like most? What did you like least? Can you see yourself in this occupation (hint:

think about what you have learned about your personality, values, strengths, and skills)?

Is there anything you found particularly interesting or surprising about this major and/or the possible career options that exist?

How do you view the possibility of this career differently now than before the assignment?


Spring 2012

PART TWO: Major/Career Networking Session Purpose:

Develop and practice communication skills (One of the top five personal qualities

employers seek, according to the National Association of Colleges & Employer’s Job Outlook 2010 survey)

Gain exposure to information about majors, careers, and companies

Come to class prepared to be the expert of the major/career you explored (i.e. know and understand the information you included in your paper). You may want to have notes with you

about what you learned from your research and interview.

You will be put into small groups with people who explored a similar major/career and will have the opportunity to share what you learned from doing your research and conducting your

interview. The purpose of this is for you to gain a further understanding of the major/career you are interested in and to gain additional contacts for future informational interviews that

you may want to conduct.

You then will have the opportunity to talk to people who researched different majors and careers than you. Before the end of class you must talk to at least two student experts and

answer the questions on the “Major/Career Exploration Networking Session Reflection.” The major/career networking session will be held during class on Feb.22. Your classmates will be

grading you on how well prepared/informed you were and these scores will be averaged (see grading criteria for more details).


Spring 2012

NAME:_____________________________

Major/Career Networking Session Reflection: Due Date: Feb. 22nd in class.

Major/Career #1____________________________________

Who was the expert student you talked to?____________________________

How well prepared and informative was the expert you talked to? Rank them on a scale from 1

to 10 (1 being not prepared/informed and 10 being very prepared/informed).

Not prepared/informed somewhat prepared/informed Very prepared/informed

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What was something new you learned about this major/career? (response must be 3-4 sentences).

Is this is a major/career you are interested in learning more about? Why or why not? (response

must be 3-4 sentences).

Major/Career #2____________________________________

Who was the expert student you talked to?____________________________

How well prepared and informative was the expert you talked to? Rank them on a scale from 1

to 10 (1 being not prepared/informed and 10 being very prepared/informed).

Not prepared/informed somewhat prepared/informed Very prepared/informed

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What was something new you learned about this major/career? (response must be 3-4 sentences).

Is this is a major/career you are interested in learning more about? Why or why not? (response

must be 3-4 sentences).


Spring 2012

Grading Rubric:

_____/20 Paper Content—Described what you learned from doing research and conducting an informational interview on the major and career you chose. Gave detailed answers to the reflection questions to synthesize what you discovered about this career.

_____/5 Paper Style—Integrated the questions and answers into a fluid and comprehensive paper (with an introduction, body, and conclusion—not a Q&A write up). The paper was articulate and professionally polished (i.e. evidence of proofreading and no spelling and grammatical errors). Included a Reference Page.

_____/5 Thank You Note—Submitted a copy of the thank you note you sent to the person you interviewed (email it to me or include as the last page of your paper). The note was professional

and indicated what was helpful about the interview.

_____/10 Major/Career Networking Session—Fellow students will rate you on how well informed and prepared you are for the major/career networking session. The scores will be

average to determine the number of points you earn.

_____/10 Major/Career Networking Session Reflection—Answered the questions (3-4 sentences each) that demonstrate you spoke with two experts and reflected on the knowledge learned and

how it relates to you.

Total: 50 points

The Major/Career Exploration paper is due Feb. 22nd by 2pm via moodle

The Major/Career Networking Session will take place Feb. 22nd during class.

The Major/Career Networking Session Reflection is due Feb. 22nd in class.

Documents

MajorCareerExplorationPaper