Best Wishes on Finals, Merry Christmas…and Happy Career Exploration!

We wish you the best in all of your endeavors this winter.  May you be blessed with a restful Christmas Break, filled with many special moments with people you love.  We also hope you will take some time to attend to your career development, whether that means shadowing a professional, reading career information online, or seeking out contacts for a summer job or internship.  The Office of Career and Professional Development will be open through December 21st and will re-open on January 2nd.  See you next semester!

Preparing for Finals

The return to campus after Thanksgiving Break usually reminds students that final exams are imminent.  To help you prepare appropriately, the Academic Support Programs department offers a guide and a workshop to help you in your exam preparation.  Click here to give yourself the best possibility of ending the semester with stellar grades.

Majors for Physics Enthusiasts

Did you know that the Department of Physics at Baylor offers a wide array of options for undergraduate students?  With majors, secondary majors, and minors available in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics, students can select academic plans with their specific career goals in mind.  For ideas on possible career pursuits with a background in physics, check out the following websites:

Office of Career and Professional Development

Job Prospects for Physicists (American Physical Society)

Summer Research Internships for Pre-Med Students

You may have heard that getting research experience is beneficial as a prospective medical school applicant.  Summer can be an ideal time for gaining such experience, since pre-med students typically carry rigorous, time-consuming course loads in the regular semesters.  Also, there are many formal summer research programs that exist.  It is not too early to compare your options and identify important application deadlines.  The American Association of Medical Colleges maintains a list of Summer Undergraduate Research Programs on their website, and it is a nice place to begin your exploration.

Please Pass the Cranberry Sauce and Can I Ask You About Your Career?

 

Yes, it is that time of year.  A time to give thanks and gather together with those who are special in our lives.  Perhaps some of the people you see during Thanksgiving, you don’t get to see at other times throughout the year.  What better time than a family gathering, to ask those you know about their career background?  If you have friends or family who work in areas you are considering as a major or career path, they may be just the people to visit with and give you insight about making this very important decision.

If you can’t think of anyone who is currently involved in the career path you are contemplating, perhaps they have friends or colleagues who work in those areas.  Thanksgiving can be a great time of networking!  These conversations may pave the way for job shadows, information interviews, and maybe even internships.  Also, your friends and family will be interested in hearing about your time in college and what your plans are.  They may even bring up the conversation themselves!

Enjoy your break and take this time to rest, so you can return to campus ready to finish the semester strong!

Financial Planning Major

Are you interested in helping clients build up a nest egg?  If so, the Financial Planning major might be a great fit for you.  The program is offered as a major on the Bachelor of Business Administration degree plan, and it provides the educational requirements for students who want to sit for the Certified Financial Planner exam.  More information on some of the careers related to this major can be found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook website (links below).

Personal Financial Advisors

Insurance Sales Agents

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Majors in Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences houses more academic majors than any other school at Baylor University.  Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree have numerous options, and the College has a fantastic online resource for obtaining more information on each of their programs.  Students who visit the Majors in Arts and Sciences website will find sections on major descriptions, sample classes, and career possibilities.  For a quick comparison of your options, this site is excellent.

Career Spotlight: Accountant

Known for its good salaries and stability, the field of accounting seems to be more popular than ever.  Accountants are responsible for preparing financial statements, handling tax payments, and being able to explain their work.  This means that their work requires much precision and attention to detail.  Accountants also need to be able to communicate effectively in person and in writing.  Baylor University offers three ways for an undergraduate student to complete an accounting major:

1) Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

2) Five-Year Joint Degree Program:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting/Master of Accountancy

3)Five-Year Joint Degree Program: Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting/Master of Taxation

Interested students can visit the Baylor Business website for more information on these programs.  For more information on accounting careers, the following links may be helpful:

Accountants and Auditors (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

This Way to CPA (AICPA)

 

Online Career Resource for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors are frequently asked what they will do with their major.  For those of you who enjoy studying human behavior, there is a great resource available for you called Careers in Psychology.  Students can gather information on graduate school and career possibilities, as well as read profiles of successful psychologists.  Having a sense of your career goals can really help when you are selecting psychology electives, and of course, it is never too early to start planning for graduate school!

For December Graduates and Alumni

Great opportunities keep popping up.  This time, students who plan to graduate in December can learn more about positions with the Texas Hunger Initiative fighting poverty.  Here is the official announcement:

TEXAS HUNGER INITIATIVE VISTA POSITIONS AVAILABLE

 

Are you interested in serving in a position that allows you to contribute to society? The Texas Hunger Initiative, located within the Baylor University School of Social Work, is working in communities across the state to ensure that everybody has access to three nutritious meals a day. The Texas Hunger Initiative is looking for AmeriCorps VISTAs to make this happen.

 

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups and much more.

 

If you are interested, THI will be holding an informational session on Wednesday November 14th at 5:00PM in Cashion 309.

 

For more information visit www.baylor.edu/texashunger