Where do you feel you need to begin?
- I need to start with my self knowledge.
- I need to start with my occupational knowledge.
- I need to start with knowing how I make decisions.
- I need to start with learning about how my thoughts influence my choices.
Choosing a major is challenging. Having a structure for this process can be helpful. The pyramid above helps provide that structure. Career research and experience tells us that you need to have knowlege about yourself, your options, how you make decisions and any barriers that get in the way of your career decision making.
Understanding yourself in the context of the areas in the pyramid is vital to understanding what occupations are going to "fit" you best. The next component is understanding the options available to you. We provide resources and instructions on how to conduct occupational research that will help you organize the vast occupational information that exists. Next, we focus on how you make decisions and deepen your understanding of the decision-making process. We also focus on your thoughts and how they contribute. We have found that our thoughts are powerful in this process and can be a barrier to making a good decision.
*Adapted from: Sampson, J.P., Perserson, G.W., Lenz, J.G., & Reardon, R.C. (1992). A cognitive approach to career services: Translating concepts into practice. The Career Development Quarterly, 41, 67-74.
