What is a Career?

A career can be defined as a person's progress within an occupation or series of occupations. However, a career is more than just a job, or working, or your occupation. It also includes your progress through life, your growth and development in vocational and avocational areas of life.

Many of us think that there is only one occupation that is best suited for us, but there are really several that may be good choices. The secret is to identify those occupations in which you have a high probability for success and happiness. As a college student, whether your career goals are accounting, theatre arts, or environmental sciences, there are general skills which will be required regardless of the career you pursue. These skills include the ability to read, write, compute, think critically, and communicate in an effective manner. For the most part, these skills are developed and/or sharpened in general education courses. These skills, along with effective career planning techniques, and the ability to cope with ambiguity in a changing environment, will enable you to overcome obstacles throughout your work life.

Map Out a Career Plan

If you know (or think you know) what you want to pursue as a career when you graduate from RichmondCC, you should work with the Career and Transfer Advising Center to begin developing specific steps for executing your Career Plan. If you are unsure of what you want to do when you leave RichmondCC and would like to explore that question with us, you should DEFINITELY work with the Career and Transfer Advising Center. We can help you through the process of self-discovery, identifying your skills and interests, exploring different career paths, and helping you to develop a plan for moving into the future - a future that meets all of your expectations!

Begin your career exploration journey by taking some self-assessments. No one knows you better than you. By first focusing on your unique talents and personal dreams, you can better establish a foundation upon which to build a career path structure.  The Career and Transfer Advising Center have staff and resources available to assist you with deciding on a career, choosing a major, transferring and more. 

To begin the Career Exploration process, contact the Career and Transfer Advising Center.  We allow walk-ins and appointments.