This document outlines a career exploration activity for incoming freshman at HCC as part of the Freshman Focus Program. The activity introduces students to career counseling services and the Holland career personality assessment. Students are each given two random "job envelopes" containing career descriptions without choice. They can trade envelopes to find two careers of interest. This simulates real-world job searches and limitations. A discussion follows about interests, limitations, and how students' Holland codes relate to the careers they chose. Past students found the activity engaging and gave positive evaluations.

1. PROMOTING CAREER EXPLORATION A STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING CAREER READINESS AMONG INCOMING FRESHMAN Presentation for the third annual conference, Promoting Student Success: The First Year and Beyond

4. Holland Checklist

5. Career Envelopes

6. Discussion – So What?CONSEQUENCES (evaluation)

8. Conducted by HCC’s Admissions and Advising Office

9. Orientation to the admissions process, placement testing, advising, and registration

12. Why start now? Academic success linked to having career goals Gives time to “try out” careers through internships and volunteering prior to graduation Gives time to change major if needed

14. Explanation of the Holland model and codesRealistic Investigative Doers Thinkers Creators Organizers Artistic Conventional Persuaders Helpers Enterprising Social

15. Realistic Investigative Working with hands, tools, machinery. Like to produce tangible results. Focus on things. Sample careers include vocational trades, law enforcement, athletics. Structured environment. Like to learn, observe, analyze, solve problems. Curious, inquisitive and inventive. Focus on ideas. Sample careers include math, science, engineering. Unstructured environment. Creative, imaginative, original, expressive. Focus on ideas. Sample careers include performing or visual arts, design, communications, creative writing. Unstructured environment. Like to organize, categorize, follow procedures. Detail-oriented, precise, efficient. Focus on data. Sample careers include Accounting, office management, clerical work. Structured environment. Artistic Conventional Working with and helping people. Prefer teamwork, and value welfare of others. Sample careers include teaching, counseling, religious or social work. Helpful/harmonious environment. Leading and influencing people and achieving goals. Value prestige, status, making money. Assertive. Sample careers include business, politics, sales. Competitive environment. Social Enterprising

17. Giving students the “job envelopes” simulates what happens in the job search without doing career planning

18. Students can attempt to find other students who are willing to trade envelopes, until they find 2 occupations they like.

19. Reserve pile for students who cannot find anyone to trade with

21. What appealed to you , if anything, about the occupations you were given or found?

22. How did not having a choice or a limited choice make you feel?

23. What can you do to prevent the same thing from happening in real life?

24. What might limit your ability to obtain the career you want?