How Are You Doing?
The value of decision-making
By Ana C. Berríos-Allison, Ph. D., Career Connection

As a new college student you probably find yourself questioning your future and goals in life. It is very likely that at this point in your career development process you are actively exploring your academic major and career options. These choices become critical because they represent an opportunity to express who you are and who you want to be in terms of your interests, abilities and values. Learning how to make informed, realistic and satisfying choices about an academic major/career is important to your happiness and to your ability to become a reliable contributor to society.

The following guidelines summarize useful practices that you can apply to foster your career exploration process and encourage satisfying decision-making. As a student you can:

• Practice goal-setting and decision-making during this transition time in your life as you learn how to manage time, money, friendships, residence life and grades, among others.
• Join the Latino Career Group at OSU. The group meets on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. in the Younkin Success Center (Room 211). This is an excellent opportunity to bond with other Latino students on campus, share your OSU experiences, explore majors/careers and prepare for internships and entrance to the world of work. Contact Dr. Berríos-Allison at 688-3898 or e-mail her at berrios.7@osu.edu for more information.
• Become involved in co-curricular activities to explore your interests and your leadership potential, to develop organizational and time management skills, to enhance teamwork and communication abilities, and to expand your analytical skills, among others. These skills are all career-related, as they can be transferred to the world of work. You can contact Student Activities and Community Connections in the Ohio Union for more information to get involved at communityconnection@osu.edu.
• Try different courses that may be of interest to you. Talk to a career counselor to clarify your ideas about possible majors/careers. Grades count, so it is important to set your academic goals early during your first and sophomore years.
• Think about taking classes that will enhance your marketability, such as computer seminars, foreign languages, and courses that improve your oral and writing skills, among others. Your adviser can recommend different classes or electives to further develop these skills.
• Consider studying abroad and being exposed to an overseas experience. This experience is critical in today’s global economy. Contact the Office of International Education to get some ideas at oie@osu.edu
• Develop contacts and learn the art of networking as different people may provide useful insights about career ideas, new referrals, and gathering information about career planning and job search issues.
  Make connections with faculty, staff, administrators, and previous employers as they will become your references for future internships, scholarships, graduate school, and job applications.
• Volunteer and seek summer or campus-related jobs that relate to a chosen career path.
• Consider an internship, a co-op, or part-time job, since all of them will provide hands-on experience. Nationwide, 40 percent of all interns will eventually end up working for the organization in which they interned.
• Start planning your career early by taking advantage of the career resources available on campus. Visit Career Services at www.careers.osu.edu, learn about internships and employment services, learn how to write resumes, cover letters, and improve your interviewing skills, and get help in deciding whether graduate and professional schools are for you

Visit Career Connection located on the second floor at the Younkin Success Center. Students can call (614) 688-3898 to make an appointment or come during walk-ins hours. Visit Career Connection on the web at www.careerconnection.osu.edu to become familiar with our services, career events on campus, and career-related links.