Non-traditional student

rtjdllo
Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:31:45 +0000

I’m in a similar situation as you. It’s great to be honest with yourself & others. I’m turning 30 and going to HCC but don’t really get assurance from the advising office that the courses I take are putting me on the right path. So you are almost done and it’s time to declare a major. The first thing as you already know is to determine what your most interested in. Hopefully you’ve taken some career assesments and gone over to the career center on campus to take advantage of some of these for free. Those who seek out will find what they want. I found some wonderful resources at the Library, books such as “Personality Plus” & “Do What You Are” are a good start. Take the Myers Briggs personality assesment. Also “Dewey Color System” is an interesting way of determining your highest interests. And google the “HOlland, RIASEC” free assesment online. Then once you’ve selected your primary area of interest, and the work environment suited best for you. Then go to ONETonline.org and put the curser hand over advanced search, then under browse by select: interests. You will see the 6 Preferences For Work Environments. The “Holland Code” Assesment will help you ensure you know which ONE is the most interesting work evironment for you. If on the Holland Code you are Artistic then check Artistic on the ONET interests and you will see all the careers in that environment and the education required. You will see on the top of the page stating: “Have a three-letter interest code?” The most important thing is that you ensure your 1st choice matches the first choice on the Interest Code. I.E. if you are most Artistic then as long as your interst code begins with A then you will be well suited for that job. So when you find a career listed you actually LIKE then simply match it to an education program offered by a major for that field area at USF. You need to ENSURE you select a major as soon as possible and do not change it in order to avoid the pitfal I had. Which was changing majors and taking extra credit hours that don’t apply to my major and program. Because Florida Universities charge EXCESS HOURS SURCHARGE when you have gone over the credit hours needed for the program. Best of luck on your journey, enjoy it. Honestly if you read all that and got here the best I can say is be true to your higher inner self, it can direct you better than anyone else! As well as telling you if school is the direction for you. Meditation can help you hear the inner voice.