Career Research
The Basics:
The specifics:Getting Started
- Before making an educated decision about what career path or field to pursue, you need to find out what is out there.
- Start with doing some basic research into the occupation(s) or academic options you are considering.
- Don't make assumptions based on testimonials from one or two people you have met in the field, what you see in the media, or what you hear from peers and family members.
- Gather concrete information from objective sources and make better decisions about your future.
Resources for getting started:
- Take TypeFocus
- Self-assessment debrief with Hiatt Counselor
- Orientation to Hiatt with Counselor
Majors and Minors
- Your major or minor will not necessarily limit the career choices available to you after graduation.
- While some careers require specific training (e.g. science, accounting), most organizations will look for a broadly educated worker who can think critically.
- Choose a major that you intrinsically enjoy: you will excel academically, be more motivated in the classes you take, and be able to relate your experiences to employers or grad schools.
Resources for choosing a major:
- What can I do with a major in ...?
- Academic Advisor in Academic Services
- Undergraduate Deparment Heads and UDRs
Learning about career fields
- Links below will help you understand information specific to the career field you're interested in.
- Research this information to see if you're a good fit for the qualities needed.
- If you think you're a good fit, find out what skills you need to be a successful candidate. For example, what keywords should you use in your resume and cover lette, how to prepare for an interview, etc.
Resources for learning about career fields:
- TypeFocus: Careers that fit your strength
- The Vault: download Vault guides by first logging into JAMIN
- Spotlight on Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- O*Net Online
- Acinet - America's Career InfoNet
- JobStar - Links to career information compiled by professional associations and other organizations.
- WetFeet.com
- Spotlight on Careers
A Reality Check: A commom miscoception among students about liberal arts majors is that you have few skills in comparison to students in engineering or science based majors. In reality, many employers greatly value the education provided by a liberal arts degree from Brandeis. You have obtained critical thinking, analytical and composition skills just to name a few. Don't underestimate the value of a liberal arts degree, but instead, learn how to market it!

