Career & Major Exploration

Major Exploration Tools#

• Career Compass
  • The Career Compass Career Interest Assessment is designed to help find out what your interests are in relation to the world of work and how they relate to Mesa College's Academic programs.
  • For further Clarification and planning for major and Career Pathways, Make an appointment to meet with a Mesa College Career Counselor.
• What Can I Do With This Major
  • Whether you're exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate. Continue your research through the websites provided.
• MyMajors
  • Information on over 1,800 college majors including coursework, schools offering majors, and careers associated with the major.

Career Exploration Tools#

• Mesa Career Services Canvas Shell
  • Choosing a career direction can be daunting, but don’t worry— San Diego Mesa College's Career Services can help you identify your interests and explore different academic paths that can develop into a fulfilling career.
  • Some of the great resources we provide include free career assessments, quick career prep videos, career counseling, and internship coaching. We are here to support you!
• My Next Move - Onet
  • An interactive career tool to learn about the tasks, skills, and salary for over 900 different careers.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
  • The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics provides information on occupations and growth trends.
• Career Coach
  • California Community College provides information to discover majors and in-demand careers and education based on your interests.
• Roadtrip Nation
  • Roadtrip Nation helps you connect your interests and passions to career and academic paths. View video interviews with people who are passionate about their work. Visit their career exploration tools to explore your interests and get connected to careers you may not have considered.

Career Assessments#

Career assessments are tools that help you explore your interests, values, skills, personality, and preferences in relation to various occupations and educational paths. They can be useful for identifying potential career options, clarifying your goals, and planning your next steps. Below are the career assessments offered in Mesa Career Services. Students must receive a referral from a Career Counselor in order to complete these assessments.

• MBTI
  • The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help students identify, understand and apply their personal preferences to their career decisions. It provides a powerful framework for building better relationships, driving positive change, harnessing innovation, and achieving excellence.
  • Video: What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Personality Assessment?
• Strong Interest Assessment
  • The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) objectively measures your interests, both professional and personal. Completing the SII and thoroughly reviewing the results with a career counselor can help identify relevant majors and occupations that you may not have considered before.
  • Video: How to Choose a Career Based on Interests | The Strong Interest Inventory Assessment
• Steps to complete the assessments:
  1. You must be a Mesa student and be enrolled in classes to take an assessment.
  2. Connect with the Career Center with your name and CSID # by phone (619-388-2777), email at mesacareer@sdccd.edu, or by visiting us on the 3rd floor of the Student Services building (I4-306).

Work-Based Learning Exploration Activites (Career Exploration & Awareness)#

Participate in Career Awareness & Exploration WBL activities to discover potential career opportunities that align with your interests, skills, and values. Ensure you are moving along the right career path by interacting with professionals to get first-hand knowledge of companies, workplace sites, employment expectations, and preparation requirements!

• Career Field Trips
• Job Shadowing
• Mentoring
• Guest Speaker
• Research Project
• Student-Run Enterprise

Interested in participating in these activities to prepare for your career? Fill out the WBL student online participation request or contact the Career Services team to connect you with employers and support in coordinating WBL activities.

Career Videos#

Our team offers up to date career videos on a variety of topics related to Career exploration. These videos can help students learn about the benefits of work-based learning, how to find a work-based learning opportunity, and how to succeed in a work-based learning experience. Visit our Youtube Channels below:

• Click here for the Career Center Youtube page
• Click here for the WBL Youtube page