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Explore Careers

Focus 2

The FOCUS 2 is an intuitive tool to help students select a major and explore occupations. Students are able to complete five assessments including the Interests-Holland Code, Personality, Values, Skills, and Leisure Interests assessments. Assessment results are matched to University of Arkansas majors and career options with over 1200 occupations and up-to-date career information.

You will be required to enter an access code to create an account. The access code to use is "razorback".

First Time Users Returning Users

Discover, develop, and apply your talents for academic, personal, and career success. All UA students are allowed to take this assessment one time free of charge using a code. (Additional codes may incur a $10 fee.) Request a code below or visit the site for more information. To request a StrengthsQuest presentation for your class or organization, please complete this form.

Request a Code

Strong Interest Inventory

The Strong is based on the idea that individuals are more satisfied and productive when they work in jobs or at tasks that they find interesting and when they work with people whose interests are similar to their own. The assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete, and test takers must set up an appointment with a UA career counselor to obtain their results. Call the main Career Development Center office at 479.575.2805 or email career@uark.edu to access the username and password for the Strong Interest Inventory. There is a $10 charge for current UA students; UA alumni and non-UA individuals will be charged $20.

TypeFocus

TypeFocus™ Careers assesses your personality type and incorporates it into seven personalized reports to answer, “What career choices fit with my personality?” and “How can I improve my chances for getting a job?” The assessment is free.

When logging in or creating a new profile, you will be requested to use a site password; the University of Arkansas’s site password is uark89. Please enter your real name and gender when registering for an account; gender is needed to score the questionnaire correctly.

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UA Majors List

What Can I Do with THIS Major?

Below you will find several links for helping you explore typical paths associated with various degrees. It's not a comprehensive list, so you may want to explore information and websites from multiple degrees to help you learn about a wide range of career opportunities.

For each degree that interests you, click on the title to find an overview of the degree (major) and information about related careers and skills. You will also find links to job and internship search postings, career planning info, professional associations in that degree, and links to UofA departments with majors in that area.


Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design

J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

Sam M. Walton College of Business

College of Education and Health Professions

College of Engineering

University of Arkansas - Employers in the US by Major
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The most advanced company information database

These sites provide a description of a wide variety of occupations and detailed information on skills need, duties, work environment, salary, etc.

Informational Interview

What is an informational interview?

Informational interviews allow you an opportunity to talk with professionals in your field of interest about the industry, company culture, and career paths. You can gain knowledge of what the day-to-day tasks and roles are as well as information about larger organizational issues and long-term options.

How to Conduct Informational Interviews

1. Use (or establish) your network. Identify a person currently working or who previously worked in the industry you are considering. Talk with friends, relatives, faculty, staff, alumni, and current or former coworkers for possible connections. You also might use social media (such as LinkedIn or Facebook) or a company’s website to identify potential interviewees.
2. Contact the professional by telephone, email, or via social media; introduce yourself (practice ahead of time); and ask to set up a 30-minute interview.
3. Prior to your meeting, identify 10-15 questions about the industry you would like to ask the professional.

Questions to Get You Started

1. How did you get started in this industry?
2. What do you like most and least about this industry/company/job?
3. What growth opportunities do you see in the field?
4. What are the ideal education, background, and skills for success in this industry?
5. What impresses you when interviewing candidates for entry-level positions?
6. What advice can you give me as I pursue jobs in this field?

After the Interview

1. Send a thank you note to the professional.
2. Evaluate what you learned and assess any gaps between your background and the job/career requirements.
3. Look for ways you can make up those gaps - classes, trainings, workshops, etc.
4. Identify other professionals in the field you also could interview.

Job Shadowing

What is job shadowing? How does it differ from an internship?

Job shadowing involves observing a professional through a normal day’s activities and may include informational interviews, tours, and participation in office projects. It can be an excellent way to learn about day-to-day work life and offers the chance to “test” a career without a long-term commitment. Shadowing also may help you get your foot in the door for a competitive internship or job.

Job shadowing is short-term (one to two days), offers no pay or academic credit, and is hosted by volunteers to help students gain an insider’s view of a career field. Internships are longer (a semester or summer), may involve pay and/or academic credit, and support an organization’s work function.

How do I get started?

Use your network to identify potential contacts working in fields of interest. If this doesn’t work, utilize social media, the company/organization website, professional associations, and career fairs. Call the individual and indicate you are seeking more information about the field and would like to spend a half or full day shadowing them. If the individual agrees, schedule a time and date for the shadowing experience to take place. After the information interview, don't forget to follow up within 48 hours with a handwritten thank you note.

View Career Exploration Videos

Candid Career contains short informational videos about many specific jobs and industries, including interviews with people who work in those jobs.

Candid Career Videos