As the semester kicks off, do not forget to take time to engage in self-discovery. Explore your interests, take time to connect with faculty, staff, and peers, and engage in new things. This sounds simple enough, but intentional self-discovery is often overlooked as you dive into classes and begin the pursuit of your desired educational and professional goals. Check out this article by Dr. Yancie C. as he discusses “Unlocking Success: The Crucial Role of Self-Awareness for College Student”.
Below are a few additional tips to guide you in your self-awareness journey:
- Reflect
Take time to reflect on your experiences, taking into consideration what you learned about yourself, including likes and dislikes. Reflecting can look different for everyone, a few examples of reflecting are journaling, meditating, walking or jogging, and practicing gratitude. Reflect in the way that makes you feel most comfortable!
- Use Your Duke Community
Your Duke community is full of people (faculty, staff, peers) who are available to guide you through your process. Do not hesitate to reach out to engage in conversations about your interests, thoughts, or ideas. To help you get started, you should be able to connect with your college advisor, a Career Influencer, your professors, or a Career Advisor!
- Assessments
If you’re interested in assessments to guide you in your journey, the Career Center offers Focus2Career and Strengths Profile. Focus2Career will focus on helping you identify your interests and values. It will also provide additional information regarding specific occupations and roles. Strengths Profile will help you focus on your strengths and how to leverage them when working solo or in a team environment.
You can also check out the “Know Yourself” tab in Career Hub for additional activities to assist you in reflecting and developing your self-awareness. As always, feel free to connect with the Career Center!
