Lorrie Anderson
Academic/Career Advisor
S204
972-238-6124
landerson@dcccd.edu

Simply stated, career planning involves a series of meetings where you investigate your personal qualities and occupational data; and then, after extensive research, choose a career path. The choice of a career can be expected to change as we go through various life transitions.

The first appointment might be described as a "getting to know you" session. I do an intake interview where I learn what the student's schooling has been, likes and dislikes about the work they have done, career dreams/ideas so far, influences in their lives regarding careers, levels of educational aspiration, along with hobbies, perceived skills and personality characteristics.

Depending upon the information learned in the intake interview, I may give a referral form to do psychometric testing in the Testing Center. Generally, I begin with the Strong Interest Inventory (SCII) and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

The second appointment involves going over the results of the SCII and MBTI. After a thorough review of both instruments, a values exercise is taken home as homework.

The third step involves using the CHOICES career software system to identify the skills the student would like to use in his/her work. After this, the student and I begin the process of generating career ideas based primarily on skills. In addition, we review the values exercise.

For the fourth session, we summarize all information learned so far and brainstorm career ideas. After this initial generation, we work on the CHOICES computer system adding to the skills exercise the information from the SCII on their interest. New job titles are generated, and I show them how to research using a variety of internet sources. Finally, I set up a file for them using e-CHOICES where they can continue their research at home.

A student may need extensive career planning help or less in-depth help such as perfecting a resume or learning how to conduct a job hunt. Regardless of the service needed, career specialists can point them in the right direction.