STEP ONE: Determine why the student is undeclared.
Lack of Independence in decision-making
Lack of knowledge of the decision-making process
Lack of information
Multiplicity of interests
Perceived or actual lack of ability
Lack of interest
Lack of knowledge regarding the connection between major(s) and occupational choice
Possible questions (
self-exploration):As far back as you can remember, what general careers have you thought of?
What subjects did you enjoy in high school? Why?
Did you participate in any extracurricular activities?
Do you consider your strengths to lie in math/science, English, business etc.?
What do you see as your limitations?
Why are you in college?
What do you do in your spare time?
What does a college degree mean to you?
What type of lifestyle do you envision?
If you could have the ideal job right now without attending college what would it be?
Possible questions (
decision-making):Are you comfortable making decisions?
How do you generally go about making a decision?
Do you make decisions by yourself or do you consult family or friends?
Can you make a decision without consulting others?
Possible questions (
academic information):What academic areas are you considering?
What are the similarities/differences in the academic areas you are considering?
What do you know about these occupations?
What type of employment do you see these majors leading to?
How do your abilities and skills fit into these choices?
STEP TWO: Help Student To Organize A Plan (information-gathering)
Refer to Counseling Center for career assessments.
Have students explore the general overview of several majors at ASU-Beebe including the requirements.
Have student create a list of general questions to ask faculty, students or career center.
Encourage student to take introduction classes within majors. (e.g. Introduction to Business).
Review general education class work and see where a student’s strength lies.
Have the student review the Sunday classifieds and circle jobs of interest. Student can review the skills and requirements needed for these jobs.
Student can conduct informational interviews with employers in one of their occupations of interest.
Encourage students to explore career research on the Internet.
STEP THREE: Help Student To Integrate Information Collected
This is the step that most students find difficult. Effective advising is crucial. It is important to assess a student’s level of maturity in the decision making process. Some students may need guidance in order to pick realistic options. Others may lag behind, as they fear there is only one right choice.
STEP FOUR: Action Plan
To help students accomplish these steps in a timely fashion, help them to make an action plan
