Career Exploration

If you are wondering where to start with your career exploration, it is generally a good idea to spend some time on honest self-reflection; figure out who you are and what it is that you want. In career development lingo we call this the “backswing” (Amundson, 2003). In this phase, you need to step back and think about your past experiences in order to get a better idea of who you are. It is after this phase that you use the momentum you have built to move forward in the direction you want.  Check out the section on Self-Assessment to get started.

Next, it is important to increase your awareness of the career options “out there” and to understand the realities of such occupations. There are many amazing career options that you may not yet be aware of and, in recognizing this, we have tools and resources in our Career Options section that you can browse through and use to help gather realistic information about real-world occupations.

While it may seem that you are operating without a career plan, a career vision is starting to unfold. Many people “fall into their careers” by following their interests, engaging in extra-curricular activities, trying new courses, and embracing new experiences. Here, we can help you connect the dots and understand how to translate those experiences into viable career options so you can confidently begin the launch of your career.