What majors will get me a job?

 

 

The short answer:  any of them.  The longer answer is that any major can provide a solid foundation for career success.  However, simply possessing a degree is likely not going to ensure employers come looking for you.  Successfully landing a job requires strong academic performance, relevant experiences, and keen job search skills.  With that being said, many students ask me about whether or not a given major leads to careers that are “in demand?”  Here is one strategy to consider when trying to answer this question for yourself.

Imagine that you have been able to fast forward to the time in your life when you are starting your job hunt.  Consider employers for whom you might like to work.  Review job listings on the company websites, paying particular attention to the qualifications.  Do you notice any trends regarding the level of education, area of study, or relevant experiences they are seeking?

The beauty of performing this exercise early in your academic career is that it allows you time to acquire education and skills that are “in demand.”  If you wait until your last semester of college, there may not be much time left to gain sales experience, learn a foreign language, or demonstrate leadership.

What if you don’t know what employers to consider?  Maybe you aren’t even sure of your career goals.  That’s okay.  A strategy for you could be to review the company websites of organizations who actively recruit at Baylor.  There are several career fairs coming up, and the Career Services office updates their website with lists of the companies that will be represented.

Log in to your HireABear account for more information on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Job Fair and the Hire a Bear Career Fair.  Click the “Career Events” tab at the top, then search “Career Fair.”  Each of the fairs listed in your search results will offer a link to “Search Employers.”  You will have many criteria from which to select as you search those who will be in attendance.  If you click on an employer’s name, you will see a list of majors they recruit.

If you are undecided on your major, or unsure of your major, this is a great way to discover what majors can prepare you for a career with the employer of your dreams.

Mark your calendar!  The STEM Job Fair is TOMORROW, September 15.  The HireABear Career Fair is September 29.  You can register for the events through your HireABear account, and you can also get specifics on times and locations.  These fairs are for all students, whether you are exploring opportunities, looking for an internship, or trying to secure that first full-time position.  Take advantage of this wonderful service that Baylor offers you!

Child Life Specialist

 

Do you love the idea of working with children in a hospital or related setting, but aren’t as interested in taking a load of pre-med type science courses?  Then, the career of Child Life Specialist might be just the profession you have been looking for!  Child Life Specialists provide essential services to children and their families as they prepare to undergo different medical procedures.  Here are some further details from the professional website, Childlife.org:

Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events.

Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Because they understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress. 

http://www.childlife.org/The%20Child%20Life%20Profession/

As far as work environments for child life specialists, the website indicates:

Although child life has its traditional foundations in hospitals, an increasing number of child life specialists are applying their unique expertise to help children in other environments, including outpatient healthcare facilities, doctors’ offices, hospice care, specialized camps, schools, court systems, and funeral homes. Whatever the location, child life interventions focus on the individual needs of the child and family. 

http://www.childlife.org/The%20Child%20Life%20Profession/WhereDoChildLifeSpecialistsWork.cfm

For more specific details about requirements in pursuing a career in this rewarding career, please visit: http://www.childlife.org/Certification/Getting%20Certified/index.cfm

Internship experience as well as appropriate academic preperation are required, so a visit to Baylor’s Child and Family Studies department might help you on your way to exploring this field further.

You can reach this department at:

http://www.baylor.edu/fcs/index.php?id=62112

As always, please let us know if we can seek out more information for you regarding this valuable career path.

 

 

 

 

 

Health Science Studies Major

 

We frequently receive questions about the Health Science Studies major in Baylor’s School of Education.  It should come as no surprise, since approximately one-third of Baylor freshmen indicate that they are on a pre-med track.  If you are interested in a career in healthcare, pre-med or otherwise, please take a few moments to learn some basics about this popular major.

The Health Science Studies major is offered on a Bachelor of Science in Education degree plan.  Be aware that this does not automatically mean that you will be prepared for teacher certification with this program, though some students choose to include teacher education classes in their courses of study.  Students in this major have a choice of four options:

  • Pre-Physical Therapy Option
  • Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Option
  • Secondary General Science Education Option
  • Health Professions Option

Obviously, the first two options are intended for students who plan on applying to a professional school in physical therapy, medicine, or dentistry.  The programs include the prerequisites needed for admission to the professional schools.  Students in these two options should note the following requirement, taken directly from the Baylor University Undergraduate Catalog (2011-2012):

“Students in Health Science Studies (HSS) Premedical/Predental and Pre-Physical Therapy majors will be required to have a 3.0 or beter cumulative GPA after 60 hours are completed (with at least 15 hours at Baylor). These 60 hours will include but not be limited to BIO 1305-1105, BIO 1306-1106, CHE 1301, 1302, 1316, HP 1420, and required math coursework. If a student does not have the 3.0 GPA after completing the required 60 hours, the student will be placed on probationary status for one term.  At the end of the one probationary ter, (two summer sessions count as one term) if the GPA is still not at a 3.0 and/or the above coursework is not completed, the student will not be allowed to continue in this major. Students may appeal the GPA requirement only in very unusual circumstances. Appeals must be made in writing to the director of the HSS program within 15 days of the end of any semester after 60 hours when a student’s GPA falls below 3.0.”

Students in the latter two options must maintain a 2.6 GPA or higher, meaning that some students who are not able to continue in the Pre-Physical Therapy or Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Options are able to change to the Secondary General Science Education Option or Health Professions Option as a back-up plan.

The Secondary General Science Education Option has Health Science Studies students to take courses that would make them eligible to apply for teacher certification, while the Health Professions Option gives students the choice of a minor in Business Administration or Community Health.

Many students find appealing the professional field experience or internship that is built into this major.  Also, students are quick to notice that the Health Science Studies major does not require students to take a foreign language, a significant difference from a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree plan.

We hope this summary whets your appetite for information on the Health Science Studies major.  Stay tuned, as we plan to add an interview with Dr. Barbalee Symm about this major to our Meet the Majors podcast series soon!

Career Spotlight: Public Relations Specialist

When you hear the words public relations, what comes to mind?  Is it planning massive events, a celebrity’s spokesperson sending out a “no comment” response, or even someone “spinning” a story to make an organization look more positive?  The media has done little to conquer stereotypes of the profession of public relations.

At the core of public relations is writing, which makes it fitting that the Public Relations sequence is an option of the Journalism major at Baylor.  Strong grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills are a must for success in this field.  Public relations specialists work hard to promote a positive image of an organization or individual.  They use various forms of media to communicate their messages, such as print, online, and broadcast media.  Public relations specialists also need to be adept at interpersonal skills, since they work closely with staff from the various media outlets.

If promoting the good that others are doing sounds good to you, here are some ways you can learn more about a career in public relations:

Public Relations Society of America

Baylor University’s Department of Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media

What Can I Do with This Major?

Career Spotlight: Management Analyst

Do you enjoy offering advice?  Is research your forte?  Are you looking for a career in a growing industry?  If so, read further for information on a career as a management analyst.

According to the O*NET OnLine, management analysts, “conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplifications and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.”  They help managers determine the best strategies for success.

The Occupational Outlook Quarterly explains that educational backgrounds for management analysts vary, though many possess a Master of Business Administration degree.  It goes on to list common undergraduate majors as business, management, marketing, economics, and engineering.  The publication also notes that many management analysts have work experience with management information systems.

For more information, and to determine if a career as a management analyst might be a fit for you, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Announcement: U.S. Department of State Presentation at Baylor

The Department of Career Services in the Paul L. Foster Success Center shared the following announcement:

Ambassador Ron McMullen will discuss Foreign Service careers, internships, and experiences from 4:00 – 5:00 pm on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Kayser Auditorium in the Hankamer School of Business.  All students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend. Students/Alumni please RSVP in Hire a Bear.

Following this presentation Ambassador McMullen will be conducting individual consultations regarding summer 2012 internships with the U.S. Department of State.  Please request an interview via Hire a Bear to schedule an individual consultation with Ambassador McMullen.

Internships are paid positions. Minorities, students with disabilities, wounded veterans, speakers of hard languages, 1st generation college-goers, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and others are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must be American citizens, undergrad (but not Freshmen) or graduate students, and be planning to continue their college or grad school education after the internship.

 

Pre-Health Organizaitons

Are you considering a pre-health program in addition to your major? Do you have dreams of working in the medical field? Then, you might be interested in joining a pre-health student organization. We at Career Counseling have noticed that a lot of these groups are having interest sessions this week, so we wanted to get the info out to you ASAP. Maybe you can stop by one or a few of these sessions to see what these groups are all about. In general, joining a pre-professional organization will give you the opportunity to get to know other students who share your similar interest, may provide some study tips for those exams required before applying to professional schools, and they also might feature sessions with some current professionals in that field to talk to you about what hey do and how they got there. Remember hearing about the importance of job shadowing and volunteer work during your time in college? These groups may provide helpful opportunities to network and find positions that are available for you to gain this much needed experience.

Dr. Sanker, the Director of the Pre-Health office, sent a great email this week talking about the value of getting involved in a prehealth organization.  I’ve linked the attachment he sent as part of this post, so please check out these different opportunities.

Pre-Health Memo

In addition to these opportunities, here is letter from the APPS president, Annie Lee:

APPS Interest Meeting 9/6 at 7PM!!!

Dear prospective Association of Pre-Pharmacy member,

Hello, my name is Annie Lee, a president of Association of Pre-Pharmacy Students (APPS). I want to invite you to our first interest meeting on Tuesday 9/6 at 7pm in BSB E206.
APPS is a Pre-Pharmacy organization designed for undergraduate students with the willingness and goal of reaching Pharmacy school after attending Baylor University.
The purpose of APPS is to improve the understanding and the likelihood of entering into a School of Pharmacy once you have completed your required courses and/or graduated. This is a great opportunity for students with common interests to congregate and enhance their college experience and knowledge on everything Pharmacy.We will be discussing about APPS requirements and different areas in pharmacy career to broaden your prospective of pharmacy profession. The membership fee is $20 and membership application will be available at the meeting.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions!
Annie Lee
Biology, Pre-Pharmacy
Association of Pre-Pharm Students President
AFC Intervarsity Leadership Team
Annie_Lee@baylor.edu

 

Another pre-health group meeting:

Baylor Pre-Veterinary Society Meeting

Tonight, August 31st at 5:30 in BSB D114

We hope your week is going well and let us know if you have questions about other student organizations you are interested in!

 

Asian Studies Major

Are you captivated by Asian culture? Can’t wait to take the journey to the other side of the world and set foot on the Great Wall of China, tour Japanese Tea Gardens, and explore the region where Tai Chi developed? Find yourself fascinated by the language and history of the Asian continent? Then, a major in Asian Studies might be just the right thing for you! Click here to link to more information about this fascinating major.

 

You may be asking, what are the requirements for this major? Well, I’m glad you asked! The Asian Studies major is an option on the BA Degree. A few course options include: Cultural Geography, Religions of the World, Japanese Civilization, Societies and Cultures of East Asia, Government and Politics of Russia, and many more! Here is a link to the complete list of major requirements.

 

If this major sounds appealing to you, you may want to contact someone in the department, especially if you have specific questions about the major like what career options are available to you if you major in Asian Studies at Baylor. You may also be interested in learning about any study abroad opportunities that are available.

Dr. Xin Wang, Acting Director of Asian Studies
(254)710-2209 (Old Main 313B)

The following is the general contact info for the department:
Center For International Education
Baylor University
One Bear Place 97012 Waco, TX 76798-7012
Poage Library
Phone (254) 710-2657
Fax: (254) 710-2069

Hope you enjoyed your tour of the Asian Studies major! Please leave us a comment if you would like more info about this major or if there is a particular major you would like information on. Take care!

Meet the Majors Podcast Series

Have you ever raised the question, “What can I do with that major?”  Maybe your interest was piqued by a major, but you worried that switching majors would push back your expected graduation date.  For others, the thought of a new major was derailed by someone making negative remarks about it.

The Meet the Majors Podcast Series allows students to hear vital, accurate major information straight from the mouths of faculty members at Baylor.  They address questions like those listed above, and they showcase the unique opportunities students have in their programs.

You can click here to view our archives of previous podcasts.  We are at 29 interviews and counting!  Enjoy our latest installment on the Geology major with Dr. Joe Yelderman.  There is also a link on the web page so you can subscribe to have all new interviews sent directly to you.  If you have ideas for majors you would like to see highlighted in our series, please leave a comment below.  Happy listening!