209781news13669941731475896448<![CDATA[Using the Summer to Prepare for a Fulfilling Career]]>
Staff members in Career Services encourage students to think carefully about career options and to choose a career that is going to be “right” for them: one that closely matches their natural abilities, skills, personality, interests, and values, and potentially a host of other factors that may vary by family and circumstances. Integrating these factors requires reflection and prioritizing one’s goals. The summer months may offer a great opportunity for students to consider long-term options that extend beyond the next semester at school.
These are reflection questions your student may consider:
What activities do I most enjoy? (both academic and extra-curricular)
What do I get absorbed in doing – so much so that I lose track of time?
What comes so easily that it feels like breathing to me?
How would my friends describe what I am good at?
What needs to be done in the world? How/Where would I contribute?
Encourage them to examine:
A major decision they have made
The contributing factors in that decision
How they would prioritize those factors
As you can probably surmise, this is both subjective and an ongoing process rather than an operation of data analysis; it may require an investment of time to bring this decision to closure. Simultaneously, this is a period of growth and transition for young adults as they mature and recognize the importance of doing what’s best for themselves. A decision from the internal/intuitive perspective will ultimately result in a more fulfilling career.
Click here for a summary of recommended action steps which follow your student from freshman through senior year.
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2013-04-26T00:00:00-04:00Lanie Damon, M.S., NCC, LPC, DCC Career Advisor, Career Services elaine.damon@success.gatech.edu]]>1298http://career.gatech.edu/http://studentaffairs.gatech.edu/1298