By Jaymie Pompeo, GCDF
Career Exploration Specialist, APUS
Career indecision is the inability to narrow down an educational or occupational choice – and you aren’t alone if you struggle with it. According to Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report, approximately 70% of U.S. workers are not engaged in the workforce, and many reported voluntary resignation from a job because it was the wrong fit.
With the amount of time and resources spent in developing your professional identity, how can you ensure the right career decisions are made each time? Well, you may never really know for sure, but chances are significantly greater when you make time for career exploration.
What is career exploration?
Career exploration is a process where you learn more about your personal fit in the world of work. It requires some soul-searching and occupational researching to pinpoint the best career options.
It’s common to revisit this process throughout the course of your life. Whether you are a first year college student exploring degree majors, a military service member preparing for a civilian transition, or planning the next steps after retirement, the career exploration process applies to you.
How can the University support me with career exploration?
AMU and APU students and alumni are eligible for complimentary career exploration services through the Department of Career Services. Our Career Exploration Team guides you through self-assessment, exploring career possibilities, and career action planning.
A Career Exploration Specialist can support you in many ways. We are mindful listeners, research gurus, brainstorming partners, and master organizers in getting your career planning in motion. We recognize individual career needs, so each interaction is customized to better serve you.
How can I get the most out of my career exploration sessions?
Your willingness to be open, communicative, and collaborative is essential to making this partnership successful. You may be tasked with completing assessments, conducting occupational research, asked to provide feedback on your discoveries, and most importantly – make decisions.
Be prepared to invest as much time as you need with career exploration. Between self-reflecting and evaluating viable options, some people may need a one hour phone conversation with intense brainstorming. For others, it may take a few weeks of reflecting and evaluating options to understand what the best decision may be.
You may not know what the best career choice is right now, and that’s ok. Make the decision to connect with our Career Exploration Team and we’ll plan the best way to rescue you from career indecision, together.
About the Speaker
Jaymie is the Career Exploration Specialist for Career Services and is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator. She has 10 years’ experience in providing education and career guidance through varied roles in Career Services, Academic Advising and Human Resources. Her current specialty involves collaborating with undecided students and alumni through the career exploration process to pinpoint career possibilities that are a true fit for each individual.