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By now you've identified some career industries and jobs you may be interested in. Now it's time to seek out experiences to "try out" potential college majors/ career interests to decide if you want to pursue them after high school. As you take classes and engage in more hands-on career exploration, you can narrow down your big list of careers/ college majors.
By now you've identified some career industries and jobs you may be interested in. Now it's time to seek out experiences to "try out" potential college majors/ career interests to decide if you want to pursue them after high school. As you take classes and engage in more hands-on career exploration, you can narrow down your big list of careers/ college majors.
Take Career Technical Education/ ROP Classes
Take Career Technical Education/ ROP Classes
CTE/ ROP classes provide pathways for students to explore career interests and/or college majors. Classes may include:
Career speakers
Career-related field trips
Mentorships
Job shadow experiences
Internship opportunities
Check with your high school to see if it has any established career pathways that can help you plan your classes.
Check with your high school to see if it has any established career pathways that can help you plan your classes.
Informational Interviews
Informational Interviews
Once you've identified some career interests, you can set up informational interviews to gain a better understanding about the knowledge, skills and abilities needed in different careers.
Job Shadowing
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing allows you to spend time with a professional currently working in your field of interest. It allows you to observe what it is actually like working in a specific job and helps you make informed decisions about your career choice.
7 Tips for Job Shadowing.pdfInternships
Internships
Internships can help students explore career paths and figure out what college major/ career they want to pursue after high school. Paid and unpaid internships may be available.
Check your high school Career Center for internship, part-time, and enrichment opportunities.
Check your high school Career Center for internship, part-time, and enrichment opportunities.
How to Find a High School Internship.pdfParticipate in Extracurriculars
Participate in Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars like school clubs, volunteering, explorer programs, and athletics help you develop job readiness skills such as time management, teamwork, and problem-solving. If they align with your field of interest, you can gain practical experience, gather more information about the field, and potentially build your network.
Attend Career Fairs and Career Day Events
Attend Career Fairs and Career Day Events
Going to job expos and career fairs is a great way to research potential career paths. Many of the employers who attend career fairs can provide valuable information and insight about the company they work for the and career field in general. Check with your Career Center for upcoming career-related events.
Learn from Others' Experiences
Learn from Others' Experiences
Explore fields of interest through conversations with people whose work intrigues you. You don't need to wait for the perfect situation or a formal career-related event. A waiting room, grocery store line, or a family gathering are all great places to gain insight from others about their careers.
Reflect on Your Experiences!
Reflect on Your Experiences!
Each time you embark on an experience in your career exploration, take some time to reflect on it.
What did you learn? How did the experience make you feel? What did you like/ dislike? What surprised you? How did the experience inform your thinking about your future?
Here are some things you can do:
Write down your thoughts, impressions, and possible next steps.
Record your thoughts on your phone, laptop or chromebook. Start a personal vlog.
Draw out your impressions and learnings.
Create a scrapbook and add a page for each experience.
If you have an e-portfolio, add your reflection to it.
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