Career Path Decision Journal
Greetings, I am Jesse Chris Quesada, a Human Services student from the College of Arts and Sciences. I created this journal to compile and reflect on my progress in decision-making as I work toward building a stable career path aligned with my four-year plan. I am grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey. This journal also serves as a token of appreciation for those who guided me through my hard-fought struggles, especially the professionals who shared their insights and helped lead me toward the fulfilling life we aspire to achieve. This has been a recurring challenge for me, and through this experience, I realized the importance of taking the first step toward healing and embracing change.
To provide context for the challenges I faced last year, I am presenting the evidence I discovered while making a critical decision now. It is also important to consider the various factors influencing my career choice, such as an individual’s profile, their interests and values, and other aspects that may affect their education.
Interest Area
Based on my assessment I tested the strongest in:
(C) Conventional
People with Conventional interests tend to be detail-oriented, careful, orderly, thrifty,
and well organized.
- Make plans with others in advance
- Find the most efficient way to do things
- Structure my day
- Persist until a task is done
- Commit to meeting deadlines
How do Conventional interests relate to careers?
Careers with Conventional interests involve using systems to organize information,
data, and materials, often in a business setting. The detailed categories below
describe aspects of Conventional interests you might use at work. Which do you
relate to?
| Detailed category | Example activities |
|---|---|
| Office Work | Maintain files, inventory, and database systems. Schedule appointments. |
| Accounting | Develop spreadsheets. Keep accounting records and prepare budgets. |
| Finance | Analyze a company’s investments. Manage businesses’ financial decisions. |
| Information Technology | Research security measures and resolve computer software problems. Write software code. |
| Human Resources | Hire employees and maintain personnel records. Explain company policies. |
| Mathematics/Statistics | Develop statistical models and conduct analyses. Expand knowledge in math fields. |
(S) Social
People with Social interests tend to be helpful, understanding, responsible, friendly,
and patient.
- Counsel and inspire others
- Help people
- Volunteer in my community
- Cooperate in groups
- Share information
How do Social interests relate to careers?
Careers with Social interests involve teaching, counseling, nursing, facilitating
communication, and helping solve social problems. The detailed categories below describe aspects of Social interests you might use at work. Which do you relate to?
| Detailed category | Example activities |
|---|---|
| Culinary Art | Create new recipes, or a special cooking style. Coordinate activities of other cooks. |
| Teaching/Education | Teach school subjects to students. Adapt teaching methods to student needs. |
| Social Service | Advocate for community needs. Counsel clients. Provide economic assistance. |
| Health Care Service | Provide medical treatment to patients and prescribe medication. |
| Religious Activities | Organize religious services and education programs. Provide spiritual guidance. |
| Personal Service | Plan events. Make travel arrangements. Help customers with questions and services. |
| Professional Advising | Teach leadership skills. Coach clients to succeed in professional goals. |
| Human Resources | Hire employees and maintain personnel records. Explain company policies. |
| Animal Service | Take care of animals. Train animals to assist persons with disabilities. |
| Social Science | Research social issues such as economics, culture, mental health, politics. |
(A) Artistic
People with Artistic interests tend to be creative, open, self-directed, independent,
and original.
- Express myself in unconventional ways
- Follow my intuition or impulses
- Make art of different kinds
- Do ordinary things in new ways
- Design objects or materials
How do Artistic interests relate to careers?
Careers with Artistic interests often include creating visual artwork, dance or theater
performances, written works, food, or music. The detailed categories below
describe aspects of Artistic interests you might use at work. Which do you relate to?
| Detailed category | Example activities |
|---|---|
| Humanities Study | and compare religious beliefs, history. Research influences on literature. |
| Applied Arts and Design | Create special effects or a theater set. Design clothes. Create product displays. |
| Performing Arts | Act or choreograph and dance on stage. Direct stage or screen productions. |
| Music | Compose or arrange music. Sing or play an instrument in a band. |
| Creative Writing | Write books, or plays. Create ads, lyrics, or scripts for media and movies. |
| Media | Develop content for a podcast. Direct a TV show, report human interest stories. |
| Culinary Art | Create new recipes, or a special cooking style. Coordinate activities of other cooks. |
| Marketing/Advertising | Plan a marketing campaign, including social media and advertising. |
Skill Match
During the four months before the start of the new academic year, I took the time to assess what my strengths could be after graduation and as I enter the workplace—specifically in a field where I believe I can find fulfillment, achievement, and the passion to excel. I took seriously the advice that I might experience a mismatch and potentially lose direction in the career path I choose. I kept asking myself what kind of life I want to have in the next five or ten years.
After carefully reviewing my personal assessments, I reflected on which skills I could transfer into my chosen career path and whether they truly align with who I am. I also remembered what our EPR instructor told us—that career paths are often dynamic and constantly changing rather than linear over the years. Because of this, I began thinking more deeply about what I can offer to the job market based on my current skills and strengths, as well as what I can continue to improve while pursuing my bachelor’s degree. Based on the results of my assessments, I created a decision flowchart to help me better visualize my next goals and determine my next steps whenever things do not work out as planned, especially in finding a stable career path.
Decision Flowchart
I also forgot to include Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting among the programs I was considering, which is also offered by the university. However, the reason these particular programs stood out after reviewing the results of both of my assessments was also influenced by other factors within the university, such as its environment, certifications, accreditations, and other aspects.
College Evaluator
To help me decide on the future path I want to pursue, I considered several factors that would help me evaluate the level of satisfaction I am seeking from that department: student support, curriculum, financial considerations, career placement, licensure and certifications, facilities and environment, extracurricular activities, as well as flexibility and feasibility.
Personal Assessment Evaluation and Decision Framework
My decision will be based on the highest level of satisfaction, and this section contains the statistical treatment of data and verbal interpretations derived from the personal assessment I conducted within the university.
The purpose of this report is to provide you with an understanding of how I arrived at that decision and the potential direction of my academic and professional path. All findings presented here are organized to support meaningful guidance, informed counseling, and constructive decision-making.