Career sERVICES

INDIVIDUAL CAREER COUNSELING
We have a staff of counselors who will assist you in identifying career options through exploration of your interests, values, abilities and experiences. We use a variety of assessments and activities to help you explore career options.  Schedule an appointment with a counselor by contacting the front desk at 214-768-2266.

CANCELLATION AND NO SHOW POLICY FOR COUNSELOR APPOINTMENTS
If a student is unable to keep an appointment with a counselor, he or she is expected to contact the counselor or career center front desk  to let them know at least 24 hours in advance. This is professional behavior that will continue to be an expectation through-out the student’s personal and professional life.  In addition, the counselors frequently have waiting lists and a timely cancellation allows another student the chance to see the counselor without a long wait.

When students fail to call or email to cancel an appointment or to show up for an appointment, they are considered “No Shows”.

A “No Show” student will be contacted by the front  desk and will be asked to send a letter of apology or explanation to the counselor. Once the student has contacted the counselor,  he or she is free to make another appointment with the counselor.

Career Assessments

Assessment OVERVIEW - Career counselors administer the most appropriate vocational inventories and meet with students individually for interpretation of these assessments  The three assessments available for students to take advantage of are the Strong Interest Inventory, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and DISCOVER.
To access the assessments, students must first meet with a counselor and receive a password. For any questions, you can meet with a counselor by scheduling an appointment.

MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR
Find out your personality type and how it relates to occupational compatibility. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Meet with a counselor hours to begin the process and gain access to the assessment.

STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY
Identify your interests and learn how they relate to specific careers. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the Strong Interest Inventory. Meet with a counselor to begin the process and gain access to the assessment.

DISCOVER^® is a comprehensive online career planning program that provides guidance and information to help make important career and educational decisions. This program helps you:

• Clarify interests, abilities, and job values.

• Find career options that match your life preferences.

• Research databases of occupations and college majors

Meet with a counselor to begin the process and gain access to the assessment.

ASSESSMENT RESULTS
After completing the assessment, a counselor will review the results with you by appointment only.  Call 214-768-2266 to schedule your career counselor appointment.

Career Exploration

Helpful resources for learning more about various careers are located on our webpage under Internet Resources.  We recommend you begin your exploration with reviewing 3 sites: " What can I do with a major in..." and the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and O*NET OnLine .  You may also learn about careers from our books located in the Career Center Resource Library, and by visiting SMU's e-books online.

Conducting Informational Interviews and participating in an Internship (or two) are also excellent opportunities to learn more about careers and if the field may be a good fit for you.  Talking to professors is also recommended.

Resource Library

WHAT WE OFFER
Reference resources with valuable information on career choices, position descriptions, employers, resume writing, interviewing, cover letters, graduate schools, and more!

COMPUTING FACILITIES
Four computers are available for use by students and alumni to create and update resumes and cover letters, and to search the Internet for career-related information. Additionally, a laser printer is available free of charge for printing job search-related materials (resumes, letters, etc.). You may even bring your own resume paper and envelopes.

LIBERAL ARTS RESOURCES
Resources for Liberal Arts majors are featured in the Career Resource Library, with a whole shelf of books on possible careers. These resources are especially helpful in looking beyond jobs stereotypically associated with Liberal Arts majors.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT/ JOB SEARCH RESOURCES
There are also other books on career opportunities for students of all majors and a collection of magazines to help you further investigate a possible career. In addition, our library houses several resources related to preparing for your job search.

GRADUATE SCHOOL RESOURCES
The Career Resource Library in the Career Center offers many resources for graduate school information. Books including Peterson's Guide to Graduate Schools, law schools, medical schools, MBA programs, scholarships and fellowships, rankings, etc. may be found in the library.

INTERNET RESOURCES
View a variety of resources that will help you explore career options, view  job opportunities and develop networking skills.