Exploration Tools
Career Exploration Guide
Starting the career exploration process can often be the most difficult and confusing step. To ease in, start by reviewing this extensive guide for information on the many resources available to help you plan for your future.
Focus 2 Career Assessments
Focus 2 offers prolific information on various occupations and industries. In addition though, they offer a number of personal assessments that can help you outline your academic and career interests, academic and professional strengths and weaknesses, your skills and values, and your personal development needs.
Personality Assessments
Assessing your personality is an integral part of the career exploration process.
Use 16 Personalities to take a free personality test that can provide a detailed description of who you are and why you do the things you do!
Please note that there are many personality assessments online, but if you are interested in getting a full scope of your personality in relation to a career, we suggest visiting the Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling.
What Can I Do With My Major?
"What Can I Do With My Major?" is a great place to start exploring the connections between your academic and professional interests.
Informational Interviewing
Follow this sample script when asking a professional to meet with you:
“Hi, my name is ______. I am a student at The University of Texas at Austin. I am researching potential career choices and am interested in learning more about _____. Jane Kim said you’d be a great person to speak with about this career because of your experience and knowledge. I would like to speak with you more to learn about your career. Would it be possible to schedule an appointment to meet with you for about 20-30 minutes? I am generally free on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will be flexible to arrange a time at your convenience.”
Tips to prepare for an Information Interview
Employers By Major
Buzzfile.edu is a resource to view which employers have hired students based off their major and within which state they work. It is a great way to get an understanding of what kinds of places hire your major.
Industry and Company Guides
Vault is an extensive database with a wealth of information on various industries, professions and companies. You can search through the system to get a better understanding of what you will need to do to achieve your career goals and what you can expect in those desired roles.
As you solidify your interests and hone in on a particular industry, be sure to evaluate the industry as a whole by asking important questions. Is the industry growing or shrinking? What are typical salaries within this industry? Where is the industry centered? This guide on conducting industry research will help you answer those important questions.
International Career Guide
Interested in working abroad? Going Global is the ultimate resource for students looking to intern and work abroad. With numerous country guides and their own international job board, it has everything you need to know about navigating foreign job markets.
