Career Exploration FAQ
Career Exploration is the process of finding your ideal major or career, based upon your interests, motivational traits, personality, values, abilities, aptitudes, personal work style and work environment preferences. Inventories are available at the center based upon personality, interest, values and strengths at no charge for students attending FHSU. Whether you're a traditional or non-traditional student or this is your first career or a career change, the center is here to help find the major or career that best suits you.
Career Exploration is free of charge for currently enrolled students at FHSU. There is a $50 charge for community members to utilize the services and appointments are based on availability with preference being given to current students.
Research shows that the best time to do Career Exploration is in your sophomore year in college. This gives you a year to get familiar with college and learn more about yourself. It also reduces the amount of times you change your major. Currently, the average college student changes their major 5-6 times. We want to reduce that number through career exploration.
Upon completion of one semester on a college campus, current students become eligible for in-office career exploration.
A student can expect to have three, one-hour meetings with their career advisor over the span of 3-4 weeks. Each meeting is a week apart, to allow time for research and reflection. The career exploration process takes a minimum of three weeks and cannot be done in a consolidated timeframe.
A Career Other appointment is a 30-minute meeting with a career advisor to assess your decision making needs and help you to identify the resources and services that will best assist you in moving forward.
Call the AACE Center at 785-628-5577 to schedule your first appointment. Any one of our staff will gladly assist you with scheduling.
Check-in for career exploration appointments is at the front desk on the first floor of the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. Your career advisor will meet you in the lobby after you have checked in.
Yes, we offer UNIV 100: Major and Career Exploration. This course is designed to aid you in career development through self-awareness, academic awareness and career awareness. This course is offered on-campus or online in the Fall and Spring semesters and online in the Summer.
Career Exploration services are protected by FERPA as part of your educational record. The AACE Center staff may not disclose any student information unless you complete a FERPA Release Form in Student Affairs.
FHSU does not have a set deadline for declaring a major; however, FHSU has a 55 hour general education program and students are encouraged to decide on a major around 45 hours. A delay in choosing a major may force you to choose courses outside the academic requirements in the major you eventually choose. Most students declare their major by the end of their sophomore year.
To change your major you will need to meet with your current academic advisor who will direct you through the process. The new department chair will change your major in the system and a new academic advisor will be assigned. You can check to see who your advisor is by looking at your myFHSU worklet in Workday account.
Career Exploration is an evaluation and self-assessment to help identify viable career options and goals. It is a process in which the student meets regularly to discuss interests, values, abilities and personality traits that can lead to choosing a major at FHSU and a future career.
Career Services addresses career-related concerns such as finding employment or using the degree you have. They assist students, alumni and the community in acquiring the skills necessary for a successful job search and provide extensive information on numerous employment opportunities. Resources are also available to assist students seeking admittance to graduate/professional school. Career Services can aid you in the development of resumes, cover letters and help with interviewing skills.