Getting Started

REFLECT on these questions to help YOU gain deeper insights into your career preferences and aspirations.

Be patient, and open and honest to yourself as you reflect on the  following prompting questions toward meaningful career reflection:

• What led to your decision to attend college?
• What activities make you lose track of the time?
• What problems do you want to solve? (a better alternative than “What do you want to be when you grow up?”)
• What skills and knowledge do you want to learn?
• When having options of classes (electives), what is your thought process in choosing certain courses over others?
• What Are Your Role Models or Inspirations? What about their careers or qualities appeals to you?
• What kind of lifestyle do you aspire to have?
• What Are Your Short-Term and Long-Term Priorities?
• What can I do with my time that is important to me?
• Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, or 20 years?
• What does a fulfilling and happy career look like to you personally? How do you measure career satisfaction?

Use this worksheet to collect your responses and ideas to the questions

Collage of Possibilities

Here at El Camino College, we have a wide variety of classes to choose from. If you are interested in taking a class to explore your personal, major, and/or career interests, we RECOMMEND review the following document that features courses you could explore from.

Major and Career Exploration Courses at ECC

As soon as you decide on the course of study that’s right for you and your goals, you can move to that degree program with some of your required courses already completed.

The Knowing Yourself page is commonly referred to students to conduct Self-exploration and reflection and how that relates to their career development.

Self-exploration and reflection are crucial components in the process of career development. Embarking on a career journey is a deeply personal exploration that requires understanding oneself in terms of:

Values and Priorities:

What matters most to you in a career? Is it creativity, financial stability, social impact, or a combination of factors? Knowing your values guides decisions about the types of roles and industries that align with your principles.

Interests:

Reflecting on your interests, hobbies, and activities helps uncover your passions. When you are passionate about your work, it becomes a source of motivation and fulfillment. Understanding what truly excites you can lead to a career that feels meaningful and rewarding.

Strengths and Challenges:

What are you naturally good at, and where do you face challenges? Recognizing your strengths enables you to leverage them in your career, while understanding weaknesses allows for personal and professional growth. Self-exploration involves acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses.

Reflect about these concepts and consider taking career assessment to define these concepts to yourself on this page

KNOWING YOURSELF AND CAREER ASSESSMENTS

The Explore and Clarify Your Career Pathway page is commonly referred to students for career and major exploration. 

The challenge with career exploration is not a lack of information but the abundance of seemingly inconsistent, often contradictory information about majors and occupations. It is important to keep in mind that majors (at least in the context of pursuing a bachelor's degree) are not designed to lock you into a specific occupation but to open up opportunities.

Use the following worksheet and page link to explore occupations and majors and  make an informed decision regarding your future and educational goals

DECISION MAKING WORKSHEET EXPLORE AND CLARIFY YOUR CAREER PATHWAY

 

The Entering Your Career Page is commonly referred to students to take actions beyond individual exploration and reflection - actions such as Resume and Cover Letter writing, Networking, Volunteer work, Internships, Job Searching,  Interviewing, Skill Development and more. 

It is important to note that your career development extends beyond the classroom and you will have to set goals to help yourself stand out in the job market.

Review the following page for more information

ENTERING YOUR CAREER

Keep these concepts in mind throughout your career journey

Difference between Job, Occupation and Career Defining Career Further
Career Myths Additional Career Advice

 

As you weigh in on what you would like to study in college, consider the kind of degree you are open to pursuing

Roads to Educational Options

 If you are considering only a Associates degree (60 unit degree with major and General Education classes) or certificate (units vary, but with no GE), please review our degrees and certificates in the link to our catalog below

ECC Degrees and Certificates by Division

If you are considering transfer for a bachelor's degree at a University, please visit the Transfer Center page to learn more about transfer

Transfer Center

 

Within our one-on-one appointments, we may discuss the following:

• Your interests, strengths, values, personality and how it relates to careers and majors
• Appropriate career and major resources for career research and reflection
• Job search guidance and strategies
• Resume review, interview preparation (including mock interviews), and networking skill development
• NOTE: Career Counseling is NOT focused on picking out classes for

To schedule a career counseling appointment, do one of the following:

• Complete the Career Center Counseling Appointment Request Form or
• Call 310-532-3670, ext. 6137

Career Center Hours:

Located in the Communications Building, room 206

• Monday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Tuesday: 9:00am-3:30pm
• Wednesday: 9:00am-3:30pm
• Thursday: 9:00am - 3:30pm
• Friday: Closed