The Career-Decision Making Process

The Transitional Studies Department
offers several courses which introduce
careers and the career decision making
process:

  • TRS 100 Career Decision Making - 1 credit
  • TRS 105 College Success Strategies - 3 credits
  • TRS 283 First Year Experience - 2 credits

We want your academic journey to be a successful one. Go to the Course Catalog.


At Kalamazoo Valley Community College, our career and student employment advisors are here to help you follow a systematic and purposeful approach. When you do, we are sure you will find that the career decision-making process is more streamlined and effective in making a fulfilling career choice.

When it comes to choosing a career, most people follow the same basic steps:

·      Determining Your Interest
·      Exploring Career Options
·      Deciding on a Career Path
·      Researching the Job Market
·      Establishing Professional Habits
·      Reflecting/Evaluating Your Future

Determining Your Interest

The Career and Student Employment Services offices on both the Texas Township Campus and the Arcadia Commons Campus provide free career assessments if you are trying to determine which career is right for you. Knowing what you enjoy, what's important to you, what you are good at and what you're like as a person will help you determine potential satisfying careers.
The assessments offered include :
      Strong Interest Inventory® (Interest)
      Do What You Are® (Personality)
      Career Cruising (Career Exploration)
      StrengthsQuest™ (Strengths)

For more information, click here.

Exploring Career Options

Gathering accurate information about specific careers is the next in the decision process. Career websites can help you narrow down your career selections by providing information about:
      Work activities
      National and state-based salaries
      Job outlook
      Required skills
      Educational requirements

For more information, click here.

Use this document to record your research on careers.

Deciding on a Career Path

Career and Student Employment Services advisors are here to help you select a career. They are available to personally assist you in developing a career action plan to successfully achieve your educational and career goals. Through a series of assessments and appointments with a Career and Student Employment Services advisor, you can sort through the many factors that impact a career decision and help guide you on a clear path.

To schedule an appointment, call 269.488.4040.