Career Exploration

Career assessments are useful tools to help you discover your interest areas, skills, and strengths that connect to potential careers. Below are some resources that can assist your exploration.

MyNextMove.org
This is an excellent website to explore careers, virtually. Select 'start' in the Discover Your Interests section to take the O*Net Interest Profiler assessment and it will generate suggested occupations.

Choices360
If you prefer to talk to a career professional, come to our office and take Choices360. This is a career assessment used to determine your interests and find related careers. Meet with a Career Counselor to explore and discuss your options. Schedule an appointment via Handshake or call 361-825-2628 or visit the Career Center in UC 304.

What Can I Do With This Major?: Explore majors, related careers, and success strategies.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: A comprehensive guide to careers, salaries, and XXX

MyNextMove.org (includes section for Veterans): Search careers by title, industry, or cluster

Candid Careers Videos: Learn from professionals about their jobs (6000+ brief career clips).

1. What are Informational Interviews?

• Informational interviews are valuable conversations between students and professionals in a chosen field. They offer insights into careers, organizations, and industry dynamics, aiding students in making informed decisions about their career paths. 

2. Why Should Students Should Complete Informational Interviews? 

• Career Exploration: Informational interviews help students explore different careers and industries to align their interests and skills with potential opportunities. 
• Insightful Learning: Students gain firsthand knowledge about job roles, daily tasks, challenges, and rewards from experienced professionals. 
• Networking: These interviews foster valuable connections, helping students build a network of industry contacts and potential mentors. 
• Refining Goals: Informational interviews help students refine their career goals, identify necessary skills, and understand the paths to success. 
• Confidence Boost: Engaging with professionals and learning from their experiences boosts students' confidence and motivation. 

3. How Should Students Conduct Informational Interviews? 

• Research: Identify professionals in your desired field through personal connections, alumni networks, or platforms like LinkedIn. 
• Initiate Contact: Send a concise and respectful email introducing yourself, explaining your purpose, and requesting a brief meeting. 
• Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Craft questions that delve into the professional's career journey, job responsibilities, challenges, and advice. 
• Engage Actively: During the interview, listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and encourage the professional to share insights and stories. 
• Dress and Behave Professionally: If meeting in person, dress appropriately and arrive on time. Show gratitude and professionalism throughout. 
• Follow Up: Send a thank-you note expressing appreciation for their time and insights. Maintain the connection by updating them on your progress. 
• Continued Networking: Build on these connections, attend industry events, and stay engaged with your network to further your career goals. 

In summary, informational interviews are an indispensable tool for students seeking career guidance and industry insights. By engaging in thoughtful conversations with professionals, students can make informed decisions about their career paths, build a strong network, and pave the way for future success. 

The purpose of job shadowing is to provide a student with insights into the day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and activities of the person they are shadowing. Through shadowing a student can gain a better understanding of the role, the industry, and the skills required for the job.

During a job shadowing experience, the student typically spends time observing and sometimes even participating in various tasks, meetings, and interactions that the professional is involved in. This can include attending meetings, observing work processes, participating in discussions, and asking questions to learn more about the job and the industry.

Job shadowing can offer several benefits, including:

1. Hands-on Learning: Students can gain practical insights into how tasks are performed, how decisions are made, and how challenges are overcome in real-world work situations.

2. Networking: Students have the opportunity to connect with professionals in the field, build relationships, and expand their professional network.

3. Career Exploration: Job shadowing allows individuals to explore different career options and industries before making important career decisions.

4. Skill Development: Students can learn about the skills and qualifications required for a specific role, helping them identify areas for personal and professional growth.

5. Realistic Expectations: Individuals can develop a more accurate understanding of the job's demands, responsibilities, and work environment, which can influence their career choices.

6. Mentorship and Guidance: Job shadowing can provide a platform for the student to receive advice, guidance, and mentorship from experienced professionals.

The Career Center can assist in helping you find a job shadowing experience or students can connect through personal connections with friends, family and faculty members. It's important for both the person being shadowed and the student to establish clear expectations, boundaries, and objectives for the experience to ensure it's a productive and valuable learning opportunity.

If you are a book person, these titles are excellent guides for career exploration that have stood the test of time:

Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Tieger, Baron & Tieger

What Color Is Your Parachute? A Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success by R. Bolles