Career Planning is the process of figuring out what you want to do, learning more about the career fields which interest you, and pursuing your goals. Initially it involves self-assessment activities: identifying the skills, interests, and work values that will impact your choices. Or, as Walter D. Storey, Ph.D put it, "career planning is what we do now to increase our readiness for and our chances of doing what we want to do or being what we want to be at some time in the future."

For assistance with your career planning questions, please make an appointment to see a counselor in the Career Services Office. You may also try the career planning exercises included in Choices, our computerized guidance software. Choices is available on the computers in the Career Resource Library and may also be found on the general server, in the campus folder, in the Career Services folder.

Other great Career Exploration Resources:
What Can I Do With This Major?
A set of information pages with career information linked to majors produced by the Career Services Office at the University of Tennessee.There is also a series of books in the Career Services Library on "Great Jobs for ____ Majors!" that can help you connect majors to possible career options.

Taking Stock Handout
A self-evaluation developed by Colby Career Services to help you focus your interests.

Resources in the Career Services Library
Colby is fortunate to have extensive career resources available in our office library -- including both paper and electronic resources. Sometimes you need a "reference librarian" to find what you want -- any staff member in Career Services can help you identify the best resources to answer your question. Just call and make an appointment that fits your schedule, or stop by the Career Cafe in the Career Services Library on Friday afternoons throughout the semester.

Web Exchange
Web resources created by a consortium of liberal arts colleges organized by career field to simplify your surfing for career information and job listings. Each of the 25+ pages is a catalog to career information and job search information about a particular field located on the web. If you've ever said something like, "I'm interested in advertising (or whatever field you would like to explore) but can't find anything on the internet!" then this is the starting place for you!

Networking with Alumni
A way to connect with Colby grads for career information. Also, visit our Alumni Profiles -- we've done some of the networking for you! Don't forget to browse through the on-line Alumni Directory. Stop by Career Services for your authentication number to get into the system the first time and then search for alumni by career field, employer, location, etc.

Informational Interviewing Information and Handout
Handouts containing valuable interviewing tips and techniques. If you are not sure how to get started talking with people about their work experiences, review this handout. Still not sure how to approach people? Make an appointment with a Career Services staff member.