Chapter 4 Activities & Resources

Key Takeaways for review

  1. Identify your School, School Specialist, pathway, program, and major.
  2. Using your career as an example, explain the steps for choosing a career. Include how you aligned your personal interests and skills with appropriate fields and identified sources for learning more about specific career.
  3. Explain how you do or will use Degree Works to keep track of your degree requirements.

Transferable Skills for Any Career Path

Transferable (soft) skills may be used in multiple professions. Pick out 5 adjectives from the list below that describe qualities you already possess. Then choose five you would like to work on and set a SMART goal for each.

  • Dependable and punctual (showing up on time, ready to work, not being a liability)
  • Self-motivated
  • Enthusiastic
  • Committed
  • Willing to learn (lifelong learner)
  • Able to accept constructive criticism
  • A good problem solver
  • Strong in customer service skills
  • A team player
  • Positive attitude
  • Strong communication skills
  • Good in essential work skills (following instructions, possessing critical thinking skills, knowing limits)
  • Ethical
  • Safety-conscious
  • Honest
  • Strong in time management
  • Adaptable (willing to change and take on new challenges)

These skills are transferable because they are positive attributes that are invaluable in any kind of work.

Applying the Holland Codes to MCC Schools and Programs

Review the information below about majors that are a good match for typical Holland Codes found within each School. Then, based on the Holland Code you selected for yourself earlier in this chapter, what Schools and programs appear to be the best fit for you? Do you agree with the assessment? Are there other careers that match your specific code?

School of Arts and Humanities (AH)

The School of Arts & Humanities is a collection of disciplines, from languages and communication to visual and performing arts, which prepares you for creative and expressive professions.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Arts and Humanities: AES

ARTISTIC, ENTERPRISING, SOCIAL

  • Artistic – People who have artistic, innovating, or intuitional abilities and like to work in unstructured situations using their imagination and creativity
  • Enterprising – People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, leading, or managing for organizational goals or economic gain
  • Social – People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train, or cure them, or are skilled with words

MCC DEGREES

Commercial Art & Illustration (A.S.) English (A.A.) Philosophy (A.A.)
Cinema & Screen Studies (A.S.) Fine Arts (A.S.) Theatre (A.S.)
Communications & Media Studies (A.S.) Interior Design (A.A.S.) Visual Communications: Graphic Design (A.A.S.)
Creative Writing (A.A.) Liberal Arts & Sciences – Arts/Humanities Music Performance (A.S.) Visual Communications: Photo/Television (A.A.S.)

School of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies (BE)

The School of Business & Entrepreneurial prepares you for successful careers and leadership opportunities in fields ranging from accounting and management to computer information systems.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies: ECR

ENTERPRISING, CONVENTIONAL, REALISTIC

  • Enterprising – People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, leading, or managing for organizational goals or economic gain
  • Conventional – People who like to work with data, have the clerical or numerical ability, carry out tasks in detail, or follow through on others’ instructions
  • Realistic – People who have athletic ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors

MCC DEGREES

Accounting: General (A.A.S.) Entrepreneurial and Applied Business (A.A.S.) Office Technology: Medical Office Assistant (Cert.)
Business Administration (A.S.) Small Business Management (Cert.) Computer Information Systems (A.A.S.) Liberal Arts & Sciences Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Office Technology: Office Administrative Assistant (A.A.S.)
Business: International Business (A.S.) Computer Information Systems (A.S.)

School of Community Engagement and Development (CED)

The School of Community Engagement & Development prepares you to serve your community in educational, legal, social work and emergency response roles.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Community Engagement and Development: SIE

SOCIAL, INVESTIGATIVE, ENTERPRISING

  • Social – People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train or cure them, or are skilled with words
  • Investigative – People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems
  • Enterprising – People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, leading or managing for organizational goals or economic gain

MCC DEGREES

Addictions Counseling (A.S.) Early Care (Cert.) Teaching Assistant: Technology (Cert.)
Addictions Counseling (Cert.) Education (a Liberal Arts Degree): Adolescence (Grades 7-12) (A.A.) Criminal Justice (A.S.)
Direct Disability Support Services (Cert.) Education (a Liberal Arts Degree): Childhood (Grades 1-6) (A.A.) Criminal Justice: Institutional Corrections (A.A.S.)
Human Services (Cert.) Education (a Liberal Arts Degree): Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) (A.A.) Criminal Justice: Police Science (A.A.S.)
Human Services (A.S.) Education (a Liberal Arts Degree): Undecided (Sequence) (A.S.) Private Security Studies (Cert.)
Human Services (A.A.S.) Teaching Assistant: Adolescence (Cert.) Liberal Arts & Sciences – Community Engagement & Development
Child Care Practitioner A.A.S. Teaching Assistant: Early Childhood/Childhood (Cert.)

School of Health Sciences and Physical Wellness (HSPW)

The School of Health Sciences & Physical Wellness prepares you to deliver quality patient/client care and improve the health of individuals and communities through education and service.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Health Sciences and Physical Wellness: SIR

SOCIAL, INVESTIGATIVE, REALISTIC

  • Social – People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train, or cure them, or are skilled with words
  • Investigative – People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems
  • Realistic – People who have athletic ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors

MCC DEGREES

Clinical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S.) Health Studies (A.S.) Radiologic Technology (A.A.S.)
Dental Assisting (Cert.) Tracks: Clinical, Community Health, and Healthcare Administration Liberal Arts & Sciences – Health Sciences & Physical Wellness Nursing (A.A.S.) Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)
Dental Assisting Rapid Track (Cert.) Nursing: Advanced Standing 3 Semester Option for LPNs (A.A.S.) Sport Management (A.S.)
Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.) Nursing: Advanced Standing 2 Semester Option for LPNs (A.A.S.) Wellness Coaching and Health Management (A.S.)
Health Information Technology (A.A.S.) Physical Education & Exercise Science (A.S.)

School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

The School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) prepares you for in-demand careers that solve problems and drive innovation.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: IRC

INVESTIGATIVE, REALISTIC, CONVENTIONAL

  • Investigative – People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems
  • Realistic – People who have athletic ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors
  • Conventional – People who like to work with data, have the clerical or numerical ability, carry out tasks in detail, or follow through on others’ instructions

MCC DEGREES

Agriculture and Food Studies (Cert.)Biology (A.S.) Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) (Cert.) Mathematics (A.S.)
Biotechnology (A.A.S.) Liberal Arts – General Studies (A.S.) Mathematics (Cert.)
Chemistry (A.S.) Environmental Science (Sequence) Physics (A.S.)
Engineering Science (A.S.) Pre-Chiropractic (Sequence) Sustainability Studies (A.S.)
Geography (A.S.) Pre-Forestry (Sequence) Sustainability (Cert.)
Geology (A.S.) Pre-Pharmacy (Sequence)

School: Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS)

The School of Social Sciences & Global Studies prepares you to achieve scholarly and professional success through the study of human behaviors and societies.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies: SIA

SOCIAL, INVESTIGATIVE, ARTISTIC

  • Social – People who like to work with people to enlighten, inform, help, train, or cure them, or are skilled with words
  • Investigative – People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems
  • Artistic – People who have artistic, innovating, or intuitional abilities and like to work in unstructured situations using their imagination and creativity

MCC DEGREES

African American Studies (A.S.) History (Sequence) (A.S.) Psychology (A.S.)
Gender & Sexuality Studies (A.S.) Liberal Arts & Sciences – Social Sciences & Global Studies (A.S.) Urban Studies (A.S.)
Global Studies (A.S.) Political Science (Sequence) (A.S.)

School: Applied Sciences and Technologies (AST)

The School of Applied Sciences & Technologies offers credit and noncredit options that prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, engineering and applied technologies, information technology, and computer science, emergency services, and culinary arts and hospitality.

Typical Holland Codes found in the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies: RIE

INVESTIGATIVE, REALISTIC, CONVENTIONAL

  • Realistic – People who have athletic ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, or to be outdoors
  • Investigative – People who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, or solve problems
  • Enterprising – People who like to work with people, influencing, persuading, leading or managing for organizational goals or economic gain

MCC DEGREES

Air Conditioning Technology: Heating and Ventilation (A.A.S.) Food Management (Cert.) Liberal Arts – General Studies (A.S.)
Automotive Apprentice Training (A.A.S.) Golf Management (Cert.) Mechanical Technology (A.S.)
Automotive Technology (Cert.) Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (Cert.) Optical Systems Technology (A.A.S.)
Computer Science (A.S.) Homeland Security (A.S.) Optical Systems Technology (Cert.)
Computer Systems Technology (A.A.S.) Homeland Security (Cert.) Paramedic (A.A.S.)
Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (Cert.) Hospitality Management: Event Planning (Sequence) (A.A.S.) Paramedic (Cert.)
Construction Technology (A.A.S.) Hospitality Management: Food Service and Culinary Arts (Sequence) (A.A.S.) Precision Machining – Optical Fabrication (Cert.)
Culinary Arts (Cert.) Hospitality Management: Golf Management (Sequence) (A.A.S.) Precision Machining (A.A.S.)
Cybersecurity (Cert.) Hospitality Management: Hotel Technology (Sequence) (A.A.S.) Precision Tooling (Cert.)
Electrical Engineering Technology (A.A.S) Hospitality Management: Travel & Tourism (Sequence) (A.A.S.) Public Safety Communications (A.A.S.)
Electronics Technology (Cert.) Hotel Management (Cert.) Solar Thermal Technology (Cert.)
Emergency Medical Services (Cert.) Information and Network Technology (A.A.S.) Travel & Tourism (Cert.)
Fire Protection Technology (A.A.S.) Information Technology (A.S.)

Which School and Degree Program have you committed to? Review the requirements for your major and map out the courses you’ll need to take in each semester until graduation. Are you able to explain your academic plan to someone else? Review that plan with an academic advisor to make sure you’re on the right path towards achieving your academic goals.

Career Planning

Gather the following information about a possible future career (include the source of your information):

  • Job Title/Career
  • Job Description
  • Job Tasks
  • Salary
  • Job Outlook
  • Work Environment
  • Opportunities for Advancement
  • Educational Requirements
  • Factors that Contribute to Career Success

After researching this career, write a reflection about how well this career aligns with your values, abilities, personality, and interests. How will college help you prepare for this career? Will you further investigate this career option? Why or why not?

Explore MCC Technology: Schedule Planner

MASTER SCHEDULE KEY

Select:    SR=Seats remaining, C=Closed, NR=Not available for registration

CRN:  Course Reference Number; the five-digit number used to identify a specific section of a course when registering ex: 23743 ENG 101-016 (click on the course CRN to find the course description, required prerequisites, textbook list, and other important course information)

Course:  Identifies the course subject, course number, and section—ex: ENG 101-016 = English 101, section 016

CampusBC=Brighton Campus, DCC=Downtown Campus, ATC=Applied Tech Center, PSTF=Public Safety Training Facility, SLN=Online, OFC=Off Campus, LOC=On Location

Credits:  Hours awarded for successful completion of a course

Title:  identifies the name of the course, maybe abbreviated as a prefix ex: ACC = Accounting

Open Seats:  Identifies the number of seats available in a class out of its capacity

Waitlist (LW):  An electronic list of students who want to enroll in a class after it has closed or reached maximum capacity

DaysM=Monday, T=Tuesday, W=Wednesday, R=Thursday, F=Friday, S=Saturday, TR=Tuesday and Thursday, (note: online courses do not have specific meeting days)

Time:  Identifies the hours the class meets (note: TBA is listed for online courses, as they do not have specific meeting times)

Instructor: Faculty member teaching the course (P) = Primary instructor

Dates:  The date range the class meets

Location:  The first number identifies the building where the class meets; the second number identifies the room number ex: 12-129 = Brighton building 12, room 129; DC 365 = Downtown Campus, room 365; PSTF 103 = Public Safety Training Facility, room 103; ATC 116 = Applied Tech Center, room 116

TBA:  To be announced; in reference to instructor or room location

 

Special/Reserved Section Notations:

  • Automotive = Reserved for those in an automotive program
  • CL= Collaborative Learning; a high-impact practice that focuses learning through large and small group interactions
  • COIL = Collaborative Online International Learning; partners with classrooms in other countries
  • EOP = Educational Opportunity Program
  • ESOL = Reserved for students who are enrolled in English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • Fast Track-LC = Combined courses learning community designed to help student progress through a sequence in one semester
  • Flexible Paced Course = Self-directed course in which learning material is delivered via computer using online software with videos and interactive assignments; instructors work one-on-one with students, helping them at their point(s) of need
  • GR = Open to all students; coursework is presented with a focus on sustainability (studies the interactions of humans, economics, and ecology in a holistic manner)
  • HOC = Honors Option Course (3 seats reserved for Honors-eligible students who will do honors-level work in addition to the standard work of the course)
  • HON = Reserved for honors students
  • Hybrid = Part online, part in-class learning
  • LC = Learning Community; the course must be registered with the additional course(s) as noted
  • OER = Open Educational Resources-courses that have low or no-cost textbook alternative
  • RMT=  Remote; some or all of the course meetings are on Zoom
  • SOAR = Self-Directing, Over-Achieving and Responsible (reserved for African, African-American, and Latino male student)
  • SV = Service Learning; combines civic engagement with academic coursework
  • SLN = Online course
  • UR = URSICA Undergrad Research Scholarly Inquiry and Creative Activity; high impact practice effective in promoting student retention and completion including class and faculty-mentored research
  • WR= Writing Intensive; must meet the prerequisite for ENG 101 or have completed ENG 101

 

Resources for students who still need to choose a major

Many organizations have free materials that can provide guidance for choosing a major. If you are still undecided or undeclared, examine one or more of the websites listed in the table below.

WEBSITE DESCRIPTION
1 List of College Majors (MyMajors) A list of more than 1,800 college majors; major pages include description, courses, careers, salary, related majors, and colleges offering major
2 Take the College Major Profile Quiz (About.com) Quiz designed to help students think about college majors, personality traits, and how they may fit within different areas of study
3 Choosing a College Major Worksheet (Quint Careers) A six-step process to finding a college major
4 Common Mistakes Students Make in Choosing a Major (Wayne State University) Lists common misperceptions about choosing a major and how these misperceptions can cloud future plans
5 Best college majors for your career 2015-2016 (Yahoo.com) Explore a detailed list of the top ten majors that give students the greatest potential for success in the workplace, good incomes, and ample job opportunities
6 Explore Careers (BigFuture/The College Board) Explore careers by selecting “Show me majors that match my interests,” “Show me new career ideas,” and “Show me how others made their choices”
7 The College Major: What It Is and How To Choose One (BigFuture/The College Board) When to choose a major, how to choose a major, “you can change your mind,” majors and graduate school, and majors and professions

MCC Libraries

This chapter in your textbook covers important topics like career exploration, professional skill-building, networking, the Schools @ MCC, advisement, and registration.

Follow this link for additional resources:  https://libguides.monroecc.edu/COS2/careerexploration

Library Services, Monroe Community CollegeIf you have questions or need help accessing MCC Libraries, let us know at libraries@monroecc.edu or 585-292-2303.