University of Virginia Library

Reality Testing Offers Rational Job Selection

If you are a freshman or
sophomore, maybe the question
you are asking is. "Where do I
begin...?" The important thing to
know is that few contemporary
students regard the choice of a
career as a chance process where
one just "happens" to fall into a
career field. Selection of a major or
career can be a very rational
decision-making process. The
probability of a decision, made
rationally, leading to satisfaction
and confidence in one's final choice
is much greater than a decision
based on circumstance.

Choosing a major or career can
easily be thought of as a continuous
process over your years in college
and first few years on the job.
Usually, the decision-making
process begins in high school or
during your first two years in college
when you recognize the need for
directionality in your studies and
the need to choose a departmental
major. The decision-making process
begins when you realize a problem
exists when, for example, you
must select a major or find your
first job.

Establishing alternatives is the
first major activity in the
decision-making process. At this
stage, it is important for you to
consider several factors such as
your interests, strengths and
weaknesses, personality traits, and
values. Obviously, these are not all
the factors you might take into

account when thinking about
alternative majors or entry careers.
The important thing to remember
at this stage is the flexibility that
several feasible alternatives offer
you. In evaluating all the factors
that go into establishing alternatives
and weighing their attractiveness
and feasibility, you may wish to
visit the Student Counseling Center
or the Placement Office and take
advantage of the many vocational
interest inventories and information
on departmental majors and
occupations. After you have
established the range of possible
majors or entry occupations and
collected information about them,
you can establish a hierarchy from
the most preferred alternative to
the least preferred. Now you can
test your first choice via
introductory courses in the
department (in the case of deciding
on a major) or through job
interviews or discussions with
employs representatives (Career
Day provides an excellent
opportunity).

Two things will substantially
increase your confidence in your
career choice or selection of major.
The first is the implementation of a
rational decision-making process in
arriving at your choice and the
second is the increased confidence
that comes from reality testing.
That is, your evaluation of your
major or first job as a result of the
experience you have in your
departmental courses or on your
first job.

As a graduating senior or
graduate student, you may be more
concerned about the process of
selecting the right job or the best
employer. While there are many
points you should consider,
vocational psychologists and career
counselors agree that there are
three considerations that should
not be overlooked by any graduate.
Possibly most important is
maintaining a flexible stance in
regard to which employer you hope
to work for. This is worth
considering for several reasons. As a
new graduate with little job
experience it is difficult to evaluate
what type of job setting or
employment conditions will bring
you the most satisfaction.
Additionally, the reality of the job
market for the last few years and
the projected market indicates that
flexibility in job seeking is an
important attribute of the
successful job candidate.

Secondly, there are several
considerations that deserve serious
thought as you begin exploring the
job market in your field. Some of
these include: the type of work
that you feel most compatible with:
the job you believe will bring you
the most personal satisfaction; the
importance of advancement and the
amount of training you are willing
to pursue; and the salary
consideration. A personnel officer
may perceive you as better
prepared for the interview if you
have already given some thought to
these considerations.

Thirdly, satisfaction with your
new job and career field is related
to the extent you can find
satisfying outlets for your abilities,
personal and professional interests,
values and personality traits. You
may find it rewarding to discuss
with professional representatives
from the various companies and
organizations at Career Day your
perceptions of their needs and
expectations to ascertain your
possible compatibility.

Office Of Placement

Provides Employment Information For All Students