Counseling Department

Academic Counseling

   AA Degree

   Transfer Guides

   Course Equivalencies

Career Counseling

   Career & Academic
   Planning Center

Personal Counseling

   Veterans Resources

Appointments / Walk-in

Peer Mentor Program

Faculty

FAQs

Home

   Normandale Home

Career Counseling

Counselor working with a student in the Career Center

There are thousands of careers available to people with a college degree. The challenge is to find career areas that will fit your interests, your skills and your values. In order to find this type of fit you will need to assess yourself, learn about career options, and work toward making sound career decisions that integrate the information you have discovered.
    This section provides information and tools to help in your on-going exploration.

Discover Yourself

Assessments for interests, skills, values, and more!

  • Classes offered by Counseling Department
    • CCD 1170 Career Exploration - relate self-understanding of interest, values, personality, and skills to career options through exercises and inventories as you explore career fields.
    • PLAN 1030 - see the Prior Learning Assessment at Normandale webpage.
  • Individual Career Counseling
        Call the Counseling Department to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a counselor to discuss whatever questions you may have regarding career planning.
  • Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
        The Career and Academic Planning Center administers these two assessments to help you identify your interests and understand better your personality type. Understanding your interests and style can improve your education/career planning, performance, and satisfaction.
  • Free or Low Cost Online Career Assessments
        Many can be taken on your home computer at your convenience. Some require you to first come into the Career and Academic Planning Center.
  • O*NET OnLine - occupational information network. Choose "Skills Search".
  • ISEEK - Minnesota Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge.
  • TypeFocus - TypeFocus: personality assessment.

Majors and Related Careers

Just because you choose to be an English major doesn't mean the only career option available to you will be to be an English teacher. English majors have gone on to become consultants, writers, retail buyers, foreigh service officers as well as becoming teachers.
    If you choose to be a political science major, you don't necessarilly have to feel compelled to look for a career in the government. Political science majors practice law, work for non-profit organizations, serve as editorial assistants, and manage accounts in an advertising agency along with government work.
    Education majors have gone on to work as environmental consultants, career counselors, nutritionists, as well as teachers.
    The key to choosing a major is to pick one that you enjoy, that way you'll like your classes and education experience at Normandale.

What is An Informational Interview?

With a standard job interview you will be asked questions, but on an informational interview you are the one asking questions about the field you are considering going into. Below is a list of some possible questions you may want to pose:

  • How did you get into this job and how would someone like me enter into the profession?
  • What is a typical day like?
  • What do you like most/least about this profession?
  • What characteristics are important for a person to be successful in this profession?
  • How much of the work is with data? With people? With things?
  • What is the job outlook in the near and distant future?
  • Can you refer me to someone else who can provide me with more information?

Steps to Follow in Setting Up an Informational Interview:

  • Identify the job or industry you want to learn about
  • Prepare for your meeting
    • Learn what you can about the job/industry from books, internet, etc.
    • Prepare a list of questions that you would like answered by "the experts"
    • Identify people to interview...start with those you know...friends, relatives, fellow students, etc who may know someone in the industry
  • Arrange an interview
    • By phone
    • By letter or email, then phone follow-up
  • If uncomfortable or nervous about setting up interview, have a prepared script (example follows):
    • Hello, my name is ________. I received your name from ________ who works in your office. I am a student at Normandale Community College and am taking a career class. Our assignment is to conduct an informational interview with someone in the field I am interested in learning more about. Is it possible to meet with you?
  • Conduct the interview
    • Dress appropriately
    • Arrive on time
    • Be polite and professional
    • Use your list of questions - ask if you may take notes
    • Allow time for discussion (other comments and questions)
    • Ask for other contact names if you need to gather more information and ask permission to use their names
    • Don't forget to ask for a business card before leaving
    • Thank them in person
  • Follow up
    • As soon as possible, jot down thoughts for future report (positives, negatives, things the person said)
    • Within 24 hours, send thank you note!
    • Refer to your notes for content and reflection

For further information about informational interviews you can go to the following website:

  • Job Hunters Bible - job hunting online with Richard Bolles and What Color is Your Parachute. Choose "Search for contacts".

Making Decision

Further Education and Training

For students who plan to pursue further education beyound Normandale, be sure the school you are transferring to is an accredited institution so that your degree and coursework will be recognized.

back to top