How to Find a
Career
You’ll Love!
Lindsay Tate
Career Services Specialist
Sinclair Community College
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I_Qw2NfSq0
Question:
What percentage of students
change their major at least one
time before they graduate?
A. 30 – 40%
B. 50 - 70%
C. 80 - 90%
Answer: B
Studies show anywhere
from 50-70% of students
change their major at
least one time before
they graduate. Some
will change as many as
3 times!
But….
With some effort, time, and research, you
have a much better chance at choosing
the right major the first time!
How to choose a career
Most people choose a career based off of 3 things:
Skills (what you can do)
Interests (what you enjoy doing)
Values (what matters to you)
What are Skills?
Things you learn in order to complete tasks.
Each career field has specific necessary skills in
order to be successful.
What are necessary skills for your industry?
Examples of skills:
 Being a leader
 Fighting fires
 CPR/ administering First Aid
 Public Speaking
 Math skills
 Building/fixing things
 Being creative (writing, drawing, etc.)
 Caring for others/being nurturing
 Teaching others
 Solving problems
 Etc.!
What are interests?
 Something
you enjoy!
 How you like to spend your
time.
 Hobbies.
 Something that excites you.
 Things you enjoy reading about
or learning more about.
Why are you interested in your
industry?
Examples of interests:
 The environment
 Cars
 Helping others
 Animals
 Science
 Math/ numbers
 Music/ instruments
 Sports/Recreation
 Cooking
 Leading others
 Politics
 Being
creative
 Computers
 Listening to others
 Other cultures
 Building things
 Traveling
 Etc.
What are values?
Things that:
Matter/are important to you.
 you are passionate about.
 are guiding principles/behaviors for your life.
What values are important in your industry?

Values
Examples of Values:
 Helping others
 Making money
 Prestige
 Work/Life Balance
 Leading
 Teaching
 Justice
 Independence
 Flexibility
 Short commute
 Religion
 Family/Friends
 Work environment
 Work schedule
 Purpose
 Safety











Advancement
Variety
Teamwork
Security
Power
“Giving back”
Problem Solving
Health
The Environment
Diversity
Etc.
Which do you think is the most
important?
A. Skills
Interests
C. Values
B.
Career Services says…
C. VALUES!!!
Your skills and interests tend to change over
time, but your values typically don’t!
Why did you choose this
industry?
 Parents
or peer pressure
 Gender/ Culture roles
 Previous experience
 Skills and interests
 A Career Assessment
 The media/news about hot jobs
 Other?
What was the single biggest
influence on your decision?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Parents
The media says there will be a lot of jobs
I think I would enjoy this type of work
I will make a lot of money
My friends are all in this industry
A career assessment said it would be a
good fit
I haven’t actually decided this is my
career field yet
Take Career Assessments to help
you!
 Focus
2 at SCC. www.sinclair.edu/focus2
 Jung
Typology (aka Myers Briggs).
http://www.humanmetrics.com
 Ohio
Career Information Systems
https://ocis.org (username: sinclaircoll
password: ohiocis03)
Research careers
Visit various websites to learn more about your
possibilities. Here are just a few!
 Career
Coach
https://sinclair.emsicareercoach.com/
 Ohio Career Information Systems
www.ohcis.intocareers.org
Username: sinclaircoll pswd: ohiocis03
 Career
One- Stop
www.Careeronestop.org
Then get the ‘real deal’…
 Chat
with a Career Counselor/ Guidance
Counselor about your options.
 Meet with people who currently work in the field
(also called an Informational Interview) to learn
what it’s ‘really’ like!
 Job Shadow/Volunteer to see the day-to-day
duties, environment, challenges, rewards, etc.

Watch videos on YouTube of
people talking about the
career(s) you are interested in.

Go to Job Fairs and talk to the
representatives about different
careers their companies offer.

Talk to college professors about
the field.

Find a part time job or internship,
or volunteer in the field.

Join clubs/associations that are
related-these will give you great
insights!
Question:
WHAT PERCENTAGE of all jobs require some
form of postsecondary education
according to American Public Radio?
A.
B.
C.
D.
30%
40%
50%
60%
Answer: D
Multiple studies show college
graduates make more over their
lifetime than those who never
graduate college and the
unemployment rate for college
grads is also lower.
What now?
Your Career Checklist!
 Take
some assessments and do some self
exploration
 Research the field(s) you like and
potential positions
 Talk to career advisors, people in the field,
friends, family, etc.
 Create a game plan! Decide on a
major, college, or other pathway
after high school.
 Make it happen!
We can help!
Free assistance is available.
Just contact us!
Career Services
937-512-2772
Dayton Campus Bldg. 10-312
Careerservices@sinclair.edu
www.sinclair.edu/services/career