Career Exploration: Supporting Students in the Early Stages of Planning

Faculty and staff are often among the first people students turn to with questions about their future. Whether those questions come up during class, office hours, or informal conversations, you play a critical role in normalizing and encouraging career exploration.

Key Messages to Share with Students

Exploration is Normal and Expected

Many students feel uncertain about their career direction, even in their junior or senior year. It’s okay not to have all the answers.

Career Exploration is a Process

It includes understanding personal interests, values, strengths, and how those connect to different fields, industries, and roles.

Start with curiosity

Encourage students to explore a wide range of career paths by asking questions, trying new experiences, and connecting with others.

Tips for Talking with Students

Ask open-ended questions:
“What have you enjoyed most about your classes so far?”
“Are there any fields or topics you’re curious to learn more about?”
“What kinds of problems do you enjoy solving?”
Refer, don’t counsel: Direct students to career services for deeper exploration, assessments, and planning. For example:
“That’s a great question for our career educators; they can walk you through a few tools that might help.”
Normalize not knowing: Share that most students explore multiple paths before narrowing their options and that it’s part of the college experience.
Encourage experiences: Encourage students to explore their interests through hands-on experiences like job shadowing, internships, volunteer work, undergraduate research, or informational interviews. Participating in events hosted by academically focused student clubs and organizations is another excellent way to engage with potential career paths. These experiences not only deepen self-awareness and professional insight, but also serve as valuable additions to a student’s resume.

Sample Conversation Starters

“Have you talked to anyone working in a field you’re interested in?”
“What do you enjoy outside of school that might connect to a career path?”
“What classes or subjects have you enjoyed the most so far? What did you like about them?”
“Are there any careers you’ve ruled out? Why?”
“Have you had a part-time job, internship, or volunteer experience that taught you something about what you like—or don’t like—in a job?”
“Is there someone you admire professionally? What about their work or career path interests you?”
“Would you be open to doing a short job shadow or informational interview to learn more?”
“Would it be helpful to look at some resources that show what people do with your major?”

Campus Resources to Share

Guide students to Career Edge resources, starting with the Major & Career Exploration page. Details are listed below.

One-on-one conversations with career educators for further exploration, goal setting, and next steps.

PathwayU helps students explore their interests, values, and workplace preferences and understand how these align with potential careers. While students complete the assessment during FYEX 100, we encourage them to revisit and retake it over time to reflect on their personal growth and evolving goals.

Students can explore career fields by connecting directly with professionals and alumni, whether through signature CDC events like career fairs, employer info sessions, campus tabling, and guest speakers in classes or clubs, or by reaching out through platforms like St. Thomas Connect and LinkedIn.

A Career Community serves as a curated space designed to help students explore industries, career paths, and opportunities that align with their interests, values, and goals. Each community brings together relevant: