This document debunks 10 common myths about career exploration. It outlines a 4-step career exploration process of self-assessment, career research, decision-making, and goal setting. Some myths addressed include that career tests determine your exact career, that there is one perfect career, and that your major directly leads to your career. The document emphasizes that career exploration is an ongoing process and encourages students to gain career-related experience through internships and research to make informed decisions.

1. DEBUNKING THE
MYTHS OF
CAREER EXPLORATION
Leigh Anne Leist and Sarah Crockett
Advising Matters Conference
March 2, 2012

2. C AREER E XPLORATION P ROCESS
 Step 1 – Self Assessment
 Step 2 – Career Research
 Step 3 – Decision Making
 Step 4 – Goal Setting and Action Plans

3. C AREER M YTH #1
Career Testing Will Tell Me Exactly
What Occupation is Right For Me
 There is no “career test” – it’s called self assessment
 Starting point for career planning, but does not tell
students what to be
 Allows students to gain a better understanding of
themselves
 Interests – Personality – Skills – Values
 Helps students determine career options that mesh
with their characteristics

4. C AREER M YTH #2
There is One Perfect Occupation
Waiting For Me Somewhere Out There
 Many occupations can satisfy a students career goals
 Career research helps students gather information
about career fields and academic options
 Important for students to make informed decisions

5. C AREER M YTH #3
Most People Know Their Major and
Career Goals When They Enter College
 Majority of students change their mind about majors
and careers several times before graduation
 Average student entering with a major changes it
three to five times → Average student entering
undeclared changes only one or two times
 Self-assessment and career research helps make
informed decisions

6. C AREER M YTH #4
My Major Leads Directly to My Career.
If I Pick The Wrong Major, I’ll End
Up In The Wrong Career
 One major can lead to many different career paths
 Employers care more about career related experience
 Internship, Part-time employment, Volunteer Work, Study
Abroad, Research …
 Gaining experience helps students test drive career
options

7. C AREER M YTH #5
Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Science
Majors Are Usually Unemployable
 Students in these majors are employed in a wide
range of careers
 Majors offer students valuable training in many areas
such as writing, research, critical thinking …
 Doing career research and gaining career related
experience will make any student marketable
 The entire Career Exploration Process will make
finding employment more manageable

8. C AREER M YTH #6
I Will Only Have One Career
In My Lifetime
 Career Planning is a process; an ongoing process.
 Students should be reminded they will re -visit their
career plans several times during their lifetime
 A typical college student may have 4 to 7 different
career directions prior to retirement. Retirement
may not even be a consideration for some!
 Not making decisions for the rest of one’s life. There
are occupations that don’t even exist yet!
 How Exciting!

9. C AREER M YTH #7
Most People’s Knowledge Of
Occupations Is Complete
 Often incomplete and incorrect!
 A glamorized and unrealistic picture is too often
shared by the media
 Balanced and accurate information must be reviewed
to objectively narrow down one’s occupational
options
 Research – Informational Interviews – Co-op/Intern
Opportunities

10. C AREER M YTH #8
I Should Choose An Occupation Based
On My Strongest Skills
 Skills are only one component – interests – values -
personality preferences must also be considered
 Thorough self-assessment is so important!
 Just because you are very talented in an area doesn’t
mean you want to do it for a living
 What skills may you acquire in the future?!

11. C AREER M YTH #9
The Best Place For Me To Start Looking
For An Occupation Is Where Employers
Are Doing Lots Of Hiring Right Now
 The job market fluctuates constantly
 Projections could change
 Job outlook trends are useful if used cautiously
 Job market prognostication should never, ever be a
primary factor in the choosing of a career!

12. C AREER M YTH #10
I Can Trust In Fate To Bring Me
To The Right Occupation
 There are outside influences that can’t be controlled
 One should have an active role in determining one’s
career path
 Set goals and create an action plan
 Information about self + occupational information = a
wise career decision
 Plan Early – Timeline for Success

13. CAREER SERVICES RESOURCES
www.career.vt.edu

16. S UCCESS IS LIKING YOURSELF,
LIKING WHAT YOU DO,
AND LIKING HOW YOU DO IT.
- M AYA A NGELOU

17. References
Gary Lynn Harr, Career Guide: Road Maps to
Meaning in the World of Work, 1995.
Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc., Strong
Interest Inventory Resource. Strategies for
Group and Individual Interpretations in
College Settings, 1995.

18. QUESTIONS?
Leigh Anne Leist, leistla@vt.edu
Sarah Crockett, sarahec@vt.edu
Smith Career Center
540-231-6241