Page 286 - Keys to College Success

Plan for Career Success

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE AND YOUR PASSION?

What Would You Risk? Dan Oltersdorf

THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS YOU READ, AND CONSIDER WHAT ACTION YOU WOULD TAKE.
THIS CHAPTER HELPS YOU FIRST TO EXPLORE YOUR ACADEMIC FOCUS WHILE IN SCHOOL. THEN IT EXAM-
INES THE VARIOUS WAYS YOU CAN PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER WHILE YOU ARE IN COLLEGE.

For a small minority of people, the career road map is in that environment, loved working
clear from an early age. Dan Oltersdorf was not one of with college students,” he says.
those people. Halfway through his undergrad-
Dan grew up in a modest household. His parents did uate education, Dan faced a dilemma.
not attend college and did not think it made sense for him He had invested two years in pre-med
to go either, unless he could specify an occupational tar- coursework and didn’t want to disap-
get. Dan planned to attend trade school instead, honing point his parents, who urged him to
his skills during high school with a 30-hour-per-week job stick to the path he had laid out. But Dan was most
working with machines. That experience taught him that fulfilled as a resident assistant, serving as a confidant,
he preferred working with people. mentor, advisor, and friend, someone who could defuse
Dan aimed to become a chiropractor, which satis- a crisis, prevent substance abuse, offer encouragement,
fied his parents, and enrolled as a pre-med student at and foster a sense of community. Were there any career
Colorado State University. He took part-time jobs to pay opportunities for someone who majored in “resident
expenses, working in marketing at the student union as assistance”? He could not see what viable reward
well as an orientation leader and a resident assistant (RA). could come from this risk, and he hesitated to make
Although he mainly became an RA to save on room and another detour.
board, Dan discovered something more. “I loved working To be continued . . .

MANY STUDENTS STRUG-
GLE WITH THE DECISION
TO CHANGE MAJORS.
DAN TOOK A RISK AND
FOLLOWED HIS PASSION,
NOT SURE WHETHER HE
WOULD FIND A REWARD- Working through this chapter will help you to:
ING CAREER FURTHER
ALONG DOWN THE PATH. • Explore how your interests relate to coursework
YOU’LL LEARN MORE and potential careers P. 250
ABOUT DAN, AND THE • Investigate and identify potential majors P. 251
REWARD RESULTING • Research a career area to see what skills and
FROM HIS ACTIONS, experience are required P. 254
WITHIN THE CHAPTER.
• Use resources to connect with internships and job openings P. 260
• Understand the role of transferable skills in
workplace success P. 261
• Conduct an effective job search P. 263