Testing and Exploring Paths
Career exploration
Career exploration is an ongoing process that helps you better understand your interests, strengths and goals. At OSU, we use the terms "Testing" and "Exploring" to explain where students should go next on their career development journey.
Testing path
Once you have an idea of which career field you want to pursue, you should begin researching trends in the career field, such as growth in the number of positions available, salary expectations and potential job titles. Identify the education, certifications or licenses required for those roles and develop a plan to gain the necessary qualifications.
Visit O-NET to research salaries, education requirements and job outlooks for many careers.
Building your career foundation
Learn
- Research job titles for your field and industry
- Review job descriptions and note education requirements
Ask yourself:
- Is there a license needed for your profession?
- Are there certifications commonly held by professionals in your industry?
Build
- Follow professionals and companies and join groups in your industry on LinkedIn
- Join professional associations and attend networking events
- Build relationships with professors and staff on campus who can help you meet new people
Ask yourself:
- Where do professionals in your field collaborate?
- Who do you admire in the field and what was their career journey?
Start
- Identify top skills for your preferred job titles
- Join campus organizations where you can practice skills needed for your career
- Attend study abroad trips to learn more about global career outlooks and build adaptability
- Pursue job shadowing and internships and take ownership of projects
Exploring path
Many students begin college without a clear idea of their preferred future career, and that is completely normal. Exploration starts before the first day of school and continues throughout your college experience. By thinking reflectively about your interests, skills, personality and values, you can begin to better understand what motivates you and what type of work may be a good fit.
Taking time to explore different subjects, get involved in campus activities and seek out new experiences can help you discover potential career paths. Conversations with advisors, faculty and professionals, along with hands-on opportunities like internships or job shadowing, can further shape your understanding. As you reflect on these experiences, you can begin to clarify your career goals and make more informed decisions about your academic and professional future.
Career exploration starts with you
Build self-awareness
- Take an assessment to identify values and interests
- Reflect on academic and extracurricular interests
- Schedule a career exploration appointment
Research career options
- Shadow professionals in several fields you might enjoy
- Ask professors and mentors about their career journey
- Attend company tours and study abroad trips to learn about different workplace cultures
- Browse job listings and consider which descriptions appeal to you
Explore careers through experiences
- Get involved in leadership and volunteering through campus organizations
- Pursue part-time jobs and internships to gain real-world experience while exploring careers
- Participate in competitions and team projects to learn about your preferred work style