Education and Career Exploration Education and Career Exploration You Have Made a Smart Choice! By enrolling in a degree program with Excelsior College you have taken an important step in reaching your career goals. Obtaining a college degree will provide you with a competitive edge in the job market. Take a look at the chart on the next slide which clearly depicts the positive correlation between higher education, employment rates and increased earnings. Education and Career Exploration : http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm Education and Career Exploration More benefits of higher education include: Better social and economic opportunities Increased self-confidence Greater benefits, such as health insurance More self-management tools; such as time management, goal setting, embracing challenges. Education and Career Exploration Be sure to maximize your education and career potential : Seek out the information you need Engage in you education Explore you career options – where will your education lead you? Education and Career Exploration Seek Out the Information You Need Need more time to discern what academic plan to follow? Maintain your momentum while you research possibilities: Consider taking a few required introductory general education courses such as composition, math, or information literacy. Enroll in survey courses in subject areas that sound interesting to you, or in disciplines that you may not have had much exposure to previously. Talk with your academic advisor, career counselor, and professors in targeted disciplines to glean more about your field of interest. Learn more about career fields through career exploration. Education and Career Exploration Engage in Your Education If you already have a clear direction for your education and career path, become an active participant in directing your degree plan. Work with your academic advisor to stay on track. Whether you are pursuing a degree in business, engineering technology, nursing, or liberal studies; expand upon your educational experiences. Choose coursework that will round out your skill sets and increase your marketability. For example, completing coursework in the liberal arts is a great way to hone the transferable skills that employers seek. Education and Career Exploration Explore Your Career Options Where will your education lead you? Once you have narrowed your choice of degree/major, and understand how it will prepare you for your desired career path, you are ready to explore the occupations that align with your personal and academic aspirations. You will want to learn as much as possible about your field of interest and the occupations associated with it before you dedicate yourself to a future career. With the amount of time you will spend working in your lifetime, wouldn’t you like to be sure you choose a career path that you will enjoy and b ...

1. Education and Career
Exploration
Education and Career Exploration
You Have Made a Smart Choice!
By enrolling in a degree program with Excelsior College you
have
taken an important step in reaching your career goals.
Obtaining a college degree will provide you with a competitive
edge
in the job market.
Take a look at the chart on the next slide which clearly depicts
the
positive correlation between higher education, employment
rates
and increased earnings.
Education and Career Exploration
:
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

2. Education and Career Exploration
More benefits of higher education include:
Better social and economic opportunities
Increased self-confidence
Greater benefits, such as health insurance
More self-management tools; such as time management, goal
setting, embracing challenges.
Education and Career Exploration
Be sure to maximize your education and career
potential :
Seek out the information you need
Engage in you education
Explore you career options – where will your education
lead you?
Education and Career Exploration
Seek Out the Information You Need
Need more time to discern what academic plan to follow?
Maintain your momentum while you research possibilities:

3. Consider taking a few required introductory general education
courses such as composition, math, or information literacy.
Enroll in survey courses in subject areas that sound interesting
to
you, or in disciplines that you may not have had much exposure
to
previously.
Talk with your academic advisor, career counselor, and
professors
in targeted disciplines to glean more about your field of
interest.
Learn more about career fields through career exploration.
Education and Career Exploration
Engage in Your Education
If you already have a clear direction for your education and
career
path, become an active participant in directing your degree plan.
Work with your academic advisor to stay on track.
Whether you are pursuing a degree in business, engineering
technology, nursing, or liberal studies; expand upon your
educational experiences.
Choose coursework that will round out your skill sets and
increase
your marketability. For example, completing coursework in the
liberal arts is a great way to hone the transferable skills that
employers seek.

4. Education and Career Exploration
Explore Your Career Options
Where will your education lead you?
Once you have narrowed your choice of degree/major, and
understand how it will prepare you for your desired career path,
you
are ready to explore the occupations that align with your
personal
and academic aspirations.
You will want to learn as much as possible about your field of
interest and the occupations associated with it before you
dedicate
yourself to a future career.
With the amount of time you will spend working in your
lifetime,
wouldn’t you like to be sure you choose a career path that you
will
enjoy and be successful at?
Career Exploration
Research Your Options!
Two primary areas to research & explore:
Occupations & careers fields
Employment trends
Career Exploration

5. Research Your Options
Why is it so important to investigate occupations and career
fields?
Consider this similar scenario:
If you were thinking about purchasing a new car, what would
you
do? More than likely you would think hard about the type of car
you
want, and then research it to make sure it is a wise purchase.
Perhaps you will want to talk to others who drive that same car
to
obtain first hand information. Maybe you will also want to test
drive
the car.
In short, you would want to be sure you were making a smart
investment.
Career Exploration
What does buying a car have to do with your career?
The same principles apply to choosing a career!
In fact, a career is an even bigger investment in your future than
purchasing a car.
Bottom line? Good decisions require good information.
Steer your career in the right direction — get the facts first!
Career Exploration

6. Explore Employment Trends
Job outlook trends are another useful facet of career selection.
In addition to researching your career of interest, you should
also
look at the big picture.
Economic conditions, technological advances, and the labor
supply
can significantly affect employment opportunities.
Career Exploration
Explore Employment Trends
Viewing future trends can help assess if your career field of
interest
is showing an incline or decline in growth.
If it is declining, you may want research a related career that
utilizes
similar skills and knowledge, but has more promise for future
growth.
However, you should not choose your profession solely upon
jobs
that are currently “hot”. The job market is constantly
fluctuating. A
“hot” job today may not be in demand tomorrow.
Education and Career Exploration

7. Why not begin some education and career exploration
now?
Return to activity 1 and start investigating!
Education and Career ExplorationEducation and Career
ExplorationEducation and Career ExplorationEducation and
Career ExplorationEducation and Career ExplorationEducation
and Career ExplorationEducation and Career
ExplorationEducation and Career ExplorationCareer
ExplorationCareer ExplorationCareer ExplorationCareer
ExplorationCareer ExplorationEducation and Career Exploration
E
xcelsior College degree programs
in liberal arts, business,
technology, nursing, and
health sciences provide very
different educational opportunities and offer
contrasting career paths. However, there
are two important similarities among them;
they are all equally exceptional educational
investments, and each curriculum includes
a strong underpinning of liberal arts
requirements. It’s important for students to
recognize that this universal foundation of
liberal arts subjects is more valuable today
than ever before. Not only are there boundless
benefits to an education that is well grounded
in the liberal arts, your future employment may
depend on it.
What Are the Liberal Arts?

8. The liberal arts encompass a variety of
disciplines in the humanities, social sciences,
natural sciences, and mathematics. It offers a
broad approach to learning through subjects
such as literature, history, philosophy,
government, sociology, psychology, criminal
justice, music, biology, mathematics and
many more. Knowledge gained through study
in the liberal arts promotes personal and
intellectual growth, provides strong practical
and transferable skills for the workplace, and
prepares students to be informed, socially
responsible citizens.
Who Needs a Liberal Arts Education?
Everyone! Even if your passion lies in more
specialized areas of computer science or
nursing, you will need to fortify your degree
with liberal arts coursework. Why? In a world
of rapidly changing technology, the technical
skills you acquire today, although important,
may become quickly obsolete within a few
years. Conversely, the transferable skills
mastered though the liberal arts will remain
longstanding, and are valuable assets that will
enhance your employability.
Obtain Skills That are in Demand
Research by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows the
skills employers desire most today are the
exact ones that are developed through study

9. in the liberal arts. Some of these top ranked
skills include: interpersonal communication,
oral and written communication, cross-
cultural communication, analytical and
critical thinking abilities, teamwork,
integrity, flexibility, and a strong work ethic.1
Each of these coveted skills is highly
transferable because they can be applied
to virtually any career. These attributes are
not only extremely attractive to employers
across industries, but are also fast becoming
necessary competencies to secure
employment and succeed in the workplace.
Cultivate the Connections
The interconnection among the liberal arts
and other disciplines is another tremendous
valuable resource. You may ask: Why
take biology when I am really interested
in business? Do I really need a history
class when my main interest is computer
programming? The answer lies in the
interdisciplinary nature of life itself. Stop
and consider — most of your endeavors in
your personal life and work settings require
knowledge in more than one field. For
example, a doctor does not just treat the
disease, but rather, the whole person.
How will he/she address the patient without
prior knowledge in the areas of biology,
sociology, or even theology? An architect must
consider the human element when designing
a structure. What amenities do people value

10. in their dwellings? A background in the arts,
history, sociology, or psychology will surely
assist with the architect’s vision.
A Passport For Your Career
A broad knowledge base in the liberal arts
equips you with the tools needed to meet and
exceed employers’ expectations. Changing
demographics, increased technology and a
global economy will continue to impact the
worker in the 21st century. If you prepare
yourself too narrowly to fit a certain career
slot, your qualifications may not meet
future job requirements. With the eclectic
preparation provided through a liberal arts
degree, your skills will remain relevant and
become a mainstay.
Think about it: almost every profession
requires that you communicate, write, solve
problems, embrace changes, and interact
with a variety of people. Through a liberal arts
curriculum, you are taught how to view and
study everything from research and writing
Liberal Arts
by Maribeth Gunner Pulliam, MS Ed
1 Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers:Job
Outlook 2007, Student Version
over
the Cornerstone for Any Career

11. CArEEr
CornEr
# 6 I N A S E R I E S
techniques to philosophical ideologies. For
example, you are asked to read extensively,
draw conclusions and share perspectives.
This is exactly what employers insist they need;
individuals that can read lengthy reports,
listen to varied opinions, and effectively
communicate the results. Through exposure
to an interdisciplinary perspective, you are
able to evaluate a situation from a variety
of viewpoints. Employers are seeking new
hires that have the flexibility and willingness
to embrace change and adjust as needed.
Liberal arts trains you to analyze, research and
evaluate solutions. These are just the problem
solving skills that will help immensely when
surmounting the learning curves and challenges
encountered in any new job or career. In short,
acquiring an array of skills and experiences will
place you at a competitive advantage in the
job market. Both private and public sectors
will continue to need individuals who can think
independently and are trained to work in more
than one mindset.
Employment Awaits
One of the hallmarks of a liberal arts education
is the solid foundation it provides for lifelong
learning and career mobility. Although it may

12. not prepare you for a specific occupation, a
liberal arts degree does offer many possibilities
for successful career paths. Have a specific
major? It may prepare you for more occupations
than you think. For example, history majors can
work in the areas of government, journalism,
or law. Psychology majors may consider jobs
in public relations, counseling or advertising
(see Related Resources). Completed a more
general liberal studies degree? You have
a wealth of coveted skills that employers
demand. Your personalized package of skills
will transfer to a variety of work settings. Some
of the many accessible career fields for liberal
arts grads are: administration, banking,
communications, counseling, public relations,
government, education, law, social services,
systems analysis, health care, marketing,
financial analysis, media, retail, and sales.
There are career fields that may require an
advanced degree. Should you choose to pursue
a post-graduate degree, you will discover that a
liberal arts background has effectively prepared
you for that next step as well.
Did you know that some very prominent
people began their careers with an
undergraduate degree strongly rooted in the
liberal arts? The following are a few of the
many successful individuals who graduated
with liberal arts degrees: John F. Kennedy,
35th president of the United States — history
degree; Sally Ride, first American woman
astronaut — English literature degree;
Steve Case, CEO and co-founder, America
Online — political science degree; Brian Lamb,

13. CEO, C-Span — speech and communication
degree; and Meg Whitman, CEO,
eBay — economics degree.
Put Your Liberal Arts Degree to Work!
A liberal arts education can translate in wide
range of options. However, just like any degree,
you will need to market your credentials. With
diligent preparation, career exploration and
perseverance you can blaze your own career
path. To make the best use of your liberal arts
degree and establish a successful job search,
be sure to increase your career awareness
by taking the time to glean more information
about yourself and the world of work. This
includes identifying your skills, interests and
values through self-assessment, investigating
career options, gaining relevant experience,
creating action plans and mastering job search
techniques (see Related Resources — EC Career
Center). Set the process in motion. Don’t
wait for missed employment opportunities to
become career savvy. You can also augment
your academic experience and develop
even more marketable skills through work
experience, volunteer, and community service.
When you do land a job interview, be sure you
convey the significance of the educational
experience and skills you have achieved.
The Liberal Arts Can be Your Lifeline
Ensuring that a substantial selection of liberal
arts courses is included in your degree plan

14. will benefit you personally and professionally.
The subjects you study allow you to strengthen
all facets of your mind and provide you with
intellectual agility. Throughout your life and
career, you can draw upon your diverse,
extensive knowledge and be able to discuss
a variety of topics with just about anyone in
almost any setting.
Whether you aspire to be a journalist,
counselor, computer analyst or CEO, a well-
rounded liberal arts education can prove
to be a most practical kind of education in
today’s society. It empowers individuals to be
autonomous, critical thinkers who can address
important issues in the workplace and in their
communities in a collaborative, creative and
constructive way. These abilities, coupled with
a strong desire for lifelong learning may well be
the best preparation for life and career that you
can possess.
Questions or comments about this article?
Contact Maribeth Gunner Pulliam,
Career Services Coordinator/Senior Academic Advisor
in the School of Liberal Arts.
Excelsior College, 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203
Phone: toll free 888-647-2388 or 518-464-8500 • TDD: 518-
464-8501 • www.excelsior.edu
Reprinted from Live & Learn Spring/Summer 2009 ©2009
Excelsior College.
Excelsior College Career Center, www.excelsior.edu/career

15. Skills Employer Seek, M. Gunner Pulliam,
https://www.excelsior.edu/SkillsEmployersSeek
Suggested Courses to Develop Skills that Prospective
Employers Want,
Lloyd, Kennedy, & Dewey,
http://www.psywww.com/careers/suggest.htm
Liberal Arts Course Listing, Excelsior College,
https://www.excelsior.edu/lacourses
Choosing a Major: Discovering Who You Are, Purdue
University
https://www.cco.purdue.edu/Student/Series_Major.shtml
Enrolled students and alumni can access the most current
version of the links
for this article, as well as many additional career-related links
on the Excelsior
College Web site. Go to www.excelsior.edu/career ; for
graduates, click on the
Alumni Connection.
Related Resources
www.excelsior.edu
www.excelsior.edu/career
https://www.excelsior.edu/SkillsEmployersSeek
http://www.psywww.com/careers/suggest.htm
https://www.excelsior.edu/lacourses
https://www.cco.purdue.edu/Student/Series_Major.shtml
www.excelsior.edu/career