Exploring Concentrations?

Luckily, there are lots of ways to explore possibilities.

Attend a Concentration Panel.

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11 AM - 12 PM in 03-209

The Career Readiness Center hosts 9 concentration panels Fall and Winter quarter. These panels feature third- and fourth-year OCOB students in each concentration to share what classes they’ve taken, their internship and career plans, projects, etc. It is an easy way to get first-hand insights into the student experience in each concentration.

Review Concentration Curriculum.

Taking a look at the coursework in each concentration can be a great way to gauge your interest. If you find yourself excited or curious about the courses, that’s a good sign! If you review the curriculum and aren’t interested in the coursework, there may be another concentration that better fits your interests.

Do an informational interview.

Talking to alumni in different industries is a great way to learn about career pathways beyond Cal Poly. You can use resources like Cal Poly Career Connections, LinkedIn, and the Alumni Mentoring Program to find possible alumni to speak with. If you need help preparing for an informational interview, you can meet with a Career Peer Advisor to find alumni, brainstorm questions, draft outreach messages, and more.

Meet with a Career Counselor.

Once you’ve done some research about the concentration curriculum and career paths, you can meet with a Career Counselor to help decide which one best aligns with your values, interests, and strengths. Keep in mind that your concentration is just one decision of many career decisions that you will make in your life! Your part-time jobs, internships, club involvement, class projects, and volunteer positions are as (if not more) important than your concentration.

Once you are ready to declare, visit the Student Services webpage for more information on next steps. If you have any questions, reach out to cobadvis@calpoly.edu.