This mirrors the core exercises from the Fall 2025 CCPD Workshop for DSAs so you can do it solo or with a friend. Use what helps; skip the rest.

Self‑Study Flow

• Hidden Intellectualism
  List 2–3 passions or interests outside class (music, gaming, activism, sports, fashion, faith, etc.). These are valid entry points for academic inquiry.
• Connect to Wicked Problems
  Write 2–3 big challenges you care about (e.g., climate resilience, health equity, public memory, education access). Draw a line from one passion to one problem.
• Bridge to a Field of Study Theme
  Cluster what repeats across your list. Name a theme in 3–5 plain words using topic + lens/context (e.g., Health data & equity, Design for social impact, Language, identity, migration). Add one sentence: Why it matters to you.
• Field of Study Sketch
  At the top, write your theme + why. Add:
  • 1 course inside the major
  • 1 course outside the major
  • 1 co‑curricular/blank space (job, club, project, study away)
  • 1 person to ask (faculty, alum, staff)
  • 1 possible SIP idea
• Investigative Inquiry Map
  Put your inquiry question in the center. Add three buckets around it: People · Ideas · Opportunities. Jot 2–3 items per bucket. Choose one contact to message and set up an Investigative Inquiry.
• Personal Narrative
  Draft a 3–4 sentence story you can share with peers: Before → Challenge → Realization → Now. Focus on what you learned and how it shapes what you’ll try next.

Simple questions you can ask and ideas you can share in conversations or short meet‑ups.

Quick Conversation Flow (5–10 minutes)

• Ask: What topics in your courses keep grabbing your attention?
• Focus: What theme or question keeps coming up for you?
• Plan a small academic experiment: office‑hour visit, try a course outside the major, join a lab, attend a talk, etc.
• Connect: Suggest one person (faculty, staff, advanced major) or a department resource.

Question Prompts:

• What classes in (or out) of the major could give you a new lens on your theme?
• What experience would help you test this idea?
• What would you ask a faculty member who works on this question?
• How might your SIP connect to what you’re curious about now?

Simple Advice:

• Talk to people (faculty, staff, alumni, employers, community partners, family, friends, and more)
• Try things (classes, student organizations, internships, volunteering, study abroad/away, civic engagement and more)

Asynchronous Tools and Resources:

Assessments and Career Exploration:

• Explore Your Path Dashboard: first destinations of K grads
• PathwayU:  interest and purpose-based career exploration
• What Can I Do With This Major? career options organized by major

Resumes and Interview Prep

• Big Interview: practice interviews and prep
• Big Resume: instant resume feedback
• Career Connection Toolkit: online, self-paced modules

Connecting to Alumni and Professionals

• Make the Most of Your Connections: networking tips and career conversations
• Investigative Inquiries: conversations with professionals around field of study
• KConnect: alumni networking and mentoring platform

Gaining Experience and Testing out Work

• Guide to Internships & Other Work-Based Learning: overview of opportunities, timelines, funding and more
• Handshake: jobs, internships, and events (also career coaching appointments)
• Forage: job simulations from employers

Connect students with the CCPD

• Career Studio: drop-in peer advising (first stop for students)
• Career Coaching appointments: schedule appointment with a professional staff member through Handshake

Here are just a few ideas…

• Co‑host an event for your department or request a class visit (ideas include major-specific Hornet Huddles, alumni speaker/panels, career-related workshops, etc.)
• Ask for a data snapshot (alumni destinations, internships) for your major.
• Partner with CCPD to develop a resource specifically for students in your major.

Email career@kzoo.edu to get started.