Career/Major Planning

“I have NO idea what I want to major in!” That statement is extremely common among freshmen and sophomores…even juniors and seniors, at times. Many times students have erroneous beliefs on how the career planning process works – making it more difficult than it needs to be! Let Career Services make the process a little easier. Individual counseling, assessment, and other services are available.

Career Assessment

This is where values, interests, abilities and skills are matched to possible career options.

DISCOVER® is an online tool that provides guidance and information to help people make important career and educational decisions.

• Research-based assessments of career-relevant interests, abilities, and job values help individuals consider career options that are a good match for them
• DISCOVER's comprehensive, developmental guidance process helps users identify their strengths and needs, make good career decisions, and build a plan based on their personal profiles.
• The system offers complete, current databases of occupations, college majors, schools and training institutions, financial aid/scholarships, and military options.

Students interested in taking the Discover inventory should contact the career counselor for a user logon and password. There is no charge for this assessment.

Career Exploration

It is okay to be undecided in a major or career. Nationally, one out of five students changes their major during the time between their admissions visit and their first day of class. Three out of four entering students express some uncertainty about their choice of major and 60% of students change their major at least once before they graduate. As you explore careers, let go of the belief that there is only “one right career for me.” You have many interests and abilities. Consequently, you would enjoy numerous careers. If you hold this misconception, you create additional anxiety for yourself because you fear you will “get it wrong.” Enjoy the process of exploring yourself and the world of work. Plus, the world of occupations is expanding at an exponential rate. There will be jobs available by the time you graduate that weren’t even heard of when you started college!

If you would like some guidance in your career exploration, schedule and appointment with the Career Counselor and/or check out the following websites:

• Exploring Career Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Career Voyages
• ASVAB Career Exploration Program
• Career OneStop
• Occupational Outlook Handbook

Career Planning

Individual Counseling – One-on-One counseling appointments are available for students looking for direction and guidance in their career aspirations. To make an appointment, stop by GC101, email, or call x2416.

GNED 1751 Intro to Career Planning – A one hour credit course available in the Spring and Fall semesters. It is an introduction and study of the process of career planning including the approaches, phases, and steps involved in effective career planning. Explores the individual’s interests, abilities, and values and a survey of careers/occupations for an appropriate match. Designed to help students make career choices and select an appropriate major. This class is open to all students.

After completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Define his/her top five signature strengths
• How to use his/her strengths in academics, relationships, and career development
• Prioritize their list of interests, skills, and values
• Understand how to determine importance of occupational information and how to research occupations
• Understand the importance of goals, motives and needs
• Narrow their occupational prospects based on relevant data
• Implement a career decision
• Reality test their career choice

What Can I Do With This Major?

For an exhaustive list (not all OBU majors are represented on this site), click here.

Declaring A Major

Students should declare a major with the Academic Center in Thurmond Hall.