Career Exploration Guide
for High School and College Students
By Lasse Palomaki | © 2025 The Strategic Student LLC
What to Expect
Skip the guesswork and explore practical, proven ways to explore careers that align with your interests, strengths, and goals through this comprehensive guide for high school and college students. The advice covered is grounded in practical, real-world approaches. (This guide is not major- or industry-specific.)
By the end of this guide, you should feel confident in your ability to:
✓ Take the first step in exploring careers, even if you don’t know exactly where you’re headed
✓ Find careers that match your interests and strengths, not just what everyone else is doing
✓ Figure out what excites you (and what doesn’t) before you commit to anything
No more guesswork. No more confusion. Just actionable tactics you can apply today.
Here’s what we’ll cover — feel free to start wherever makes the most sense for you:
What is Career Exploration
Career exploration is how you start making sense of all the options out there — not just job titles, but real-world problems, challenges, and industries you might want to be part of. It’s about figuring out what matters to you: What kinds of work actually sound interesting? What skills do you want to use? What issues do you want to help solve?
This isn’t just about picking a job that sounds cool. It’s about giving your time in college direction. Once you start to figure out the kinds of problems you’re drawn to — whether it’s designing better systems, improving healthcare access, or helping people grow — and start making make smarter, more aligned choices. Classes, clubs, internships, and campus opportunities all start to have more purpose when they connect to something you’re curious about. You’re not just checking boxes. You’re building toward something.
And don’t worry, you’re not supposed to have it all figured out on day one. Your interests, values, and goals will shift as you grow. Exploration isn’t a one-and-done decision. It’s a habit. Something you keep coming back to as you gain new experiences, have conversations with new people, and learn more about yourself and the world around you.
This guide will give you 15 real, doable ways to explore your options, from chatting with people in the field to trying hands-on tools that simulate the work. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two. The only rule? Don’t stop at collecting information. Use what you learn to make smarter decisions about where to invest your time on campus, inside and outside the classeoom. Exploration matters most when it leads to action.
And one more thing: Don’t base your whole future on one comment from a professor or one personality quiz result. The goal is to gather enough input (from people, tools, and experiences) so you can start spotting patterns. That’s what helps you make smarter, more strategic choices.
Because exploration isn’t just about getting ideas. It’s about putting those ideas to work.
Career Exploration Core Principles
Before we dive into the tactical side of career exploration, let’s start with a few mindset shifts that can make the whole process feel a lot more manageable and meaningful. Use these as the foundation. Come back to them whenever you feel stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed.
Start With the Problems You Want to Solve
Career exploration isn’t just about picking a job title. It’s about finding work that feels connected to something you care about. One of the smartest ways to explore is to start with the challenges that motivate you. Maybe that’s improving access to education, reducing food waste, or helping small businesses grow. Once you have a problem that excites you, it’s easier to find roles and industries that contribute to solving it. Titles will change. Tools will evolve. But meaningful problems stick around. Let those be your starting point.
It’s a Process
You’re not supposed to figure this all out in one semester. Your interests, strengths, and goals will shift as you go through college — and that’s a good thing. Every conversation, class, project, or experience gives you new data. The most strategic students aren’t the ones who lock in fast. They’re the ones who stay curious, pay attention to what they’re learning, and adjust as they go.
Test It Before You Trust It
It’s easy to take a professional’s advice or an assessment result and treat it like truth. But that’s rarely the full story, and accepting it without questioning is dangerous. Input is important, but it’s only step one. You still need to reflect, test it against your own values and goals, and decide whether it’s actually relevant. Career exploration isn’t about outsourcing your decisions. It’s about building your own filter so you can take in ideas, sift through them, and keep what’s useful.
Clarity Comes from Action (and Should Lead to Action)
You don’t get clarity by thinking your way there. You get it by doing something — reaching out, reading, trying a simulation, talking to someone in the field. And once you do get insight, don’t let it sit in a notebook. Use it. Choose a class that aligns with your interests. Join a club in the field. Apply for something that gets you closer. Action creates alignment.
Your Major ≠ Your Career
Your major might influence how you start, but it doesn’t define where you end up. Plenty of people work in roles that seem completely unrelated to their degree, and often the skills they picked up along the way give them an edge. A psychology major might thrive in UX design because they understand how people think. A history major might succeed in strategy or consulting because they’ve learned how to research, write, and build persuasive arguments. Don’t let your major box you in — and don’t assume your only options are the ones most students from your major pursue.
You’re in Charge
Nobody can tell you what matters to you. Not your parents, your friends, or your advisor. They can offer guidance. But you’re the one who has to live with your choices. Take that seriously. This isn’t just about picking a job. It’s about choosing how you want to spend your time — and who you want to become. This process is yours to lead.
Be Honest about Real-World Constraints
Not every path is realistic right now. That’s not defeat — that’s strategy. Maybe your dream job is hyper competitive with limited openings. Maybe it pays less than you need to support your family. That doesn’t mean the dream is dead. It just means you may need to take a different role for now, build experience, and circle back later. Or keep that passion alive through a side project or volunteer work while you build financial stability. It’s OK to play the long game — just make sure you’re playing it intentionally.
Exploring Your Interests
Before you start digging into career paths, job titles, or industries, take a moment to focus on you. Not in a deep, philosophical “find your purpose” way — just enough to build a rough map of what excites you, what drains you, and what kind of life you actually want to work toward.
This section isn’t about locking in a dream job. It’s about getting a starting point you can build from. Because the more you understand what interests you, what you’re naturally good at, and what kind of environment brings out your best, the easier it gets to explore intentionally — and filter out the stuff that clearly isn’t a fit.
You don’t need perfect clarity. But you do need curiosity — and a willingness to notice what patterns keep showing up.
Important: If this section feels like a mix of “I’m not sure” and “it depends,” that’s fine. Write down what you do know. As noted, career exploration is an ongoing process and clarity compounds.
Interests: What do you actually enjoy learning about?
You don’t need a job that makes you jump out of bed every day. But you do want something that keeps your brain engaged. Pay attention to the topics, tasks, and challenges you’re drawn to — especially the ones you enjoy learning about even when there’s no grade or paycheck involved.
Prompts to reflect on:
What do I read or watch for fun (even if I don’t tell anyone)?
What kind of problems am I naturally curious about solving?
What could I talk about for 30 minutes without running out of things to say?
What am I excited to learn more about, even if I’m not “good” at it yet?
Strengths: What comes naturally to you?
You don’t have to be world-class at something to consider it a strength. Just work to notice the things that feel easier or more enjoyable for you than for most people. That’s where your early strengths probably are. Bonus points if those tasks also give you energy.
Prompts to reflect on:
What do people tend to ask me for help with?
What kinds of compliments or feedback do I get most often?
What do I find myself doing well without trying too hard?
What tasks feel easier or more enjoyable to me than to my peers?
Energizers and Drainers: What gives you energy and what takes it away?
One of the most overlooked parts of career fit is energy. Two students might be equally “good” at a task, but one might finish feeling energized while the other feels completely drained. Pay attention to those signals — they’re telling you something important about what’s sustainable for you long-term.
Prompts to reflect on:
Think back to a day that flew by — what were you doing?
Now think of a day that dragged — what kind of work made it feel that way?
Do you feel more energized when collaborating or when working alone?
What types of work feel heavy, repetitive, or exhausting — even when you’re performing well?
Values and Motivators: What matters most to you in work and life?
Your values shape how you define “good work.” For some students, that means meaningful impact. For others, it’s flexibility, challenge, autonomy, or financial security. There’s no right answer — just your answer. The goal is to know what trade-offs you’re willing to make, and which ones are deal-breakers.
Prompts to reflect on:
What kind of problems (big or small) do I want my work to help solve?
What kind of lifestyle do I want in 5–10 years — and what type of work supports that?
If I could change one thing about my community or the world, what would it be?
15 Practical Ways to Explore Careers
You’ve spent time reflecting on what matters to you — now it’s time to test, explore, and gather real-world insight that help you assess how different avenues align with your personal preferences. This section gives you practical ways to learn about careers without committing to a job, internship, or major just yet.
You don’t need to do all 15. Just pick one or two that feel doable right now. The goal isn’t to find your forever path today — it’s to take the next step with a little more clarity than you had yesterday.
These are listed from low-effort to high-effort.
1. Use ChatGPT for Career Exploration
ChatGPT is a fast, flexible way to learn about roles, industries, and career paths by asking targeted questions without needing to dig through a dozen browser tabs. It can break down what a job actually involves, compare career options, summarize trends, or help you reverse-engineer how people got into specific roles.
It is important not to treat the results as fact. ChatGPT is a starting point, not a decision-maker. Use it to generate ideas, then validate those ideas through conversations, further research, or real-world testing. Also, keep the conversation going. Tweak your questions, follow up with questions, and iterate as needed.
You can start simple with general prompts like:
“Give me a list of entry-level roles for someone interested in psychology and education.”
“What are adjacent career paths to product marketing I should explore if I’m not sure it’s the right fit?”
“Compare brand strategy, product marketing, and content marketing — what makes each one unique?”
Or dive deeper with a prompt like this:
“Act as a career exploration coach. I need your help exploring different career paths that align with my major, skills, interests, and values. Below is a snapshot of my preferences:
My major: [e.g., marketing with concentration in digital marketing, minor in psychology]
Tasks I have most enjoyed in school, internships, or work: [e.g., analyzing data, creating social media content]
Tasks I have least enjoyed in school, internships, or work: [e.g., public speaking]
My strongest skills/skills I’ve received positive feedback on: [e.g., creativity, writing]
My personal values: [e.g., creativity, community, sustainability]
My experiences so far include: [e.g., class projects, relevant courses, internships, on campus employment, volunteering, etc. — brief bullets here]
Please suggest 5 roles I should explore more for my potential post-graduation career path. For each role, include:
A brief role description, including typical projects and challenges
Alternative names the role goes by in different organizations and industries
Typical skills and education needed to succeed in the role
Typical career path and salary projection (position by position) 15 years forward
Occupational outlook 15 years forward
If there is anything else you need to know to provide tailored recommendations, I am happy to provide more details and information.”
As a reminder, the roles you get from this are a starting point, not a final destination. Your next step is to dig deeper into each one before committing to any of them.
Pro tip: Got a generic answer? Add more detail. ChatGPT gets better the more context you give. Treat it like a brainstorming partner, not a crystal ball.
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2. Browse Job Titles and Career Paths on LinkedIn
If you’ve ever wondered “What can I actually do with my major?”, LinkedIn can help you find real answers. It’s one of the best tools for exploring careers based on what actual people with your background are doing right now.
You can use it in two ways:
To discover new career paths you hadn’t considered
To reverse-engineer how people got into roles you’re aiming for
Option 1: Explore Careers by Major
Let’s say you’re a psychology major.
Go to your university’s LinkedIn page
Click “Alumni”
Find the “What they studied” filter and select your major
Choose an “End year” that’s in the past (e.g., 2020)
Scan through profiles and pay attention to job titles, industries, and companies
You’ll probably see a wide range of roles, not just “psychologist.” That’s the point. This shows you the real variety of jobs people with your degree pursue. If you want to focus on a specific area, you can add a keyword search for your area of interest (e.g., digital marketing).
Pro tip: Don’t limit yourself to your own institution. You can explore alumni from any university. That said, starting with your institution is a smart move. Why? Because those alumni are more likely to respond if you reach out.
Option 2: Reverse-Engineer a Target Role
Already have a dream job or company in mind? Use LinkedIn to work backward.
Let’s say you want to be a financial analyst at Google.
Use the LinkedIn search bar to find people with that job title at that company
Type “financial analyst” in the search bar
Click “people”
Add “Google” in the company filter
Open a few profiles and look for patterns:
What was their major?
What internships did they do during college?
What tools, skills, or certifications do they list?
Did they go straight into the role or did they take other jobs first?
These patterns help you spot what’s typical and what’s possible. Now you’ve got a loose roadmap of the skills and experiences to prioritize.
Pro tip: If you find someone with your dream job, don’t just admire the title. Break down how they got there. Their path can become a blueprint for your next steps.
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3. Take a Career Assessment
Career assessments ask you a series of structured questions and generate suggestions for roles, industries, or work environments that might align with your interests or strengths. They’re especially helpful when you’re not sure where to start.
But here’s the thing: These tools run on algorithms, not a deep understanding of your background, goals, or potential. Don’t treat the results as truth. Treat them as a starting point for exploration.
Some assessment results resonate. Others miss the mark. That’s not a flaw — that’s the algorithm doing its best. Your job is to bring the human filter and to reflect, test, and figure out what’s actually worth looking into.
Try these to get started:
O*NET Interest Profiler (Free)
CliftonStrengths (Paid)
Strong Interest Inventory (Paid)
Pro tip: Many campus career centers offer access to paid assessments for free, and often include a follow-up session with a career coach to help you interpret the results. It’s worth asking.
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4. Browse Job Postings
You don’t have to be job searching to look at job postings. In fact, reading job descriptions is one of the simplest ways to explore careers and a great way to see what roles actually look like in the real world.
When you read postings, you start to notice:
What skills show up again and again
What responsibilities excite you and which ones don’t
What types of companies or roles match your interests (even if you didn’t know the title before)
How to get started:
Visit sites like LinkedIn Jobs or Handshake
Type in keywords that sound interesting to you (e.g., “climate policy,” “UX design,” “social media,” “sports marketing,” “financial analyst”)
Filter by entry-level roles or internships to keep it relevant
Save or screenshot any postings that make you think: “I want to learn more about this”
What to look for:
What tasks or responsibilities feel exciting?
What tools or software show up repeatedly?
What qualifications or experiences do you already have and what might you want to build?
Do certain industries or job functions pop up more than others?
Pro tip: Don’t worry if you’re not qualified yet. The point isn’t to find a job, it’s to find patterns in what pulls your attention. Those patterns help guide what you choose to learn, pursue, or explore next.
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5. Subscribe to Industry Newsletters or Podcasts
Sometimes the best way to explore a career is to quietly listen in. Subscribing to industry newsletters or podcasts gives you a glimpse into how people in the field think, talk, and stay current — no networking required.
You’ll start to notice what topics keep coming up, what trends people care about, what tools or skills are being discussed, and what problems the field is trying to solve. If you consistently find it interesting, that’s a good sign. If it bores you? That tells you something too.
How to get started:
Use ChatGPT or Perplexity AI with this prompt: “What are the most useful newsletters or podcasts to follow if I’m interested in [industry or role]? Focus on ones that highlight trends, tools, and real-world conversations happening in the field.”
Don’t just read headlines, skim enough to ask: “Do I want to learn more about this? Is this keeping me engaged or is this boring me?”
What to pay attention to:
Do the topics make you curious or feel like a chore?
Are you drawn to the challenges people are solving in this field?
Could you see yourself contributing to those conversations in the future?
Pro tip: If tuning in for one newsletter or podcasts consistently feels like homework, that’s a signal — not a failure. Career exploration isn’t just about what sounds good. It’s about noticing what holds your attention and what doesn’t.
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6. Sample a Free Course or Learning Module
Before you commit to a field, try learning about it. Watching a YouTube series, sampling a free Coursera course, or enrolling in an elective can help you figure out if the idea of a field actually holds your interest when you’re deep in the details.
This isn’t about earning a credential. It’s about answering one key question: “Do I like learning about this enough to keep going?”
How to get started (choose your depth):
Low-commitment: Watch a YouTube explainer series or documentary about the field (search “day in the life of a UX designer,” “intro to public health,” etc.)
Mid-level: Sign up for a free course or mini-module on Coursera, edX, or LinkedIn Learning
Deeper dive: Take a semester-long course at your college (even if it’s outside your major) to test your interest in the real pace and depth of the work
What to reflect on:
Did this topic hold your attention?
Could you see yourself learning this for the next few years — or doing it every day?
What surprised you about the content, structure, or language of the field?
Pro tip: If you’re bored two videos in, that’s your brain telling you something. Assess if you want to keep going or not. These “mini-tests” are a low-risk way to check if a field actually fits before you invest time, energy, or tuition into pursuing it.
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7. Conduct Informational Interviews with Industry Professionals
If you want to explore a career path, the best way to understand it is to talk to someone living it. Informational interviews are one-on-one conversations where you ask a professional about their job, industry, or career journey — not to ask for a job, but to get real insight into the path you're considering.
You’ll learn what a role actually involves, what skills matter most, what people like (and hate) about their jobs, and how people got to where they are. It’s career exploration straight from the source — not a blog post, not a job board.
Even one 20-minute conversation can help you figure out whether to dig deeper or cross something off your list.
Pro tip: This is one of the most powerful exploration tools you’ll ever use — if you do it right. For a full breakdown (including message templates, question lists, and follow-up strategies), check out our full Informational Interview Guide.
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8. Talk to Upperclassmen or Recent Alumni
If you’re not sure what to explore next, talk to someone who’s already a few steps ahead. Upperclassmen, recent grads, and student org leaders can offer some of the most honest, practical advice about majors, internships, and campus opportunities, because they were in your shoes not long ago.
They can help you avoid missteps, spot hidden opportunities, and get real insight into what certain jobs, clubs, or majors actually involve.
Unlike talking to professionals later in their careers, these conversations are usually more casual, relatable, and easier to set up.
How to get started:
Ask a student org leader or TA in your major if they’d be open to a quick conversation
Use LinkedIn to connect with students or alumni from your school who interned or now work in roles you’re curious about
Start with: “I’m exploring career options and noticed you [studied X / interned at Y]. I’d love to hear a bit about your experience and any advice you’d give someone just getting started.”
Ask questions like:
What helped you figure out what was a good fit — and what wasn’t worth pursuing?
What specific classes, internships, or on-campus experiences actually helped you build skills that employers cared about?
What do you wish you had done earlier to be more competitive for the roles you applied to?
If I’m a [first-year/sophomore] and interested in [industry or role], what skills or experiences would you recommend I focus on now?
Were there any popular clubs, classes, or certifications that turned out to be more hype than value?
Pro tip: It is normal to be nervous about reaching out, but most students and recent grads are happy to help. You don’t need perfect questions. Just be curious, respectful, and clear about what you’re hoping to learn. The more specific your ask, the easier it is for them to help.
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9. Talk to Professors, Staff, or Academic Advisors
Your professors, staff, and academic advisors aren’t just there to help you pick classes, they often have a much broader view of your field than you think. Many know exactly where past students have ended up, what employers look for, and how different academic paths align with real-world roles.
The right conversation can help you:
Understand how your major applies to different industries
Learn about internship or other opportunities you may have missed
Get connected to alumni or professionals in your target field
Even a 15-minute conversation can open new options or prevent you from wasting time on low-impact choices.
How to get started:
Drop by office hours or send a short email asking to chat about career options related to your major
Start with: “I’m thinking more about how to apply my major and would love to hear what you’ve seen past students go on to do — and any advice you’d give someone just starting to explore.”
Ask questions like:
What career paths have you seen students from this major pursue?
Are there any alumni you think I should talk to?
Are there classes, research projects, or professors I should seek out if I’m interested in [industry/topic]?
Are there mistakes or missed opportunities you commonly see students make when trying to break into this field?
Pro tip: The best professors and advisors won’t just give you answers, they’ll help you think more strategically. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations, introductions, or feedback. You’re not bothering them, you’re doing what strategic students do. And helping you is literally part of their job.
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10. Attend Employer Info Sessions or Virtual Panels
You don’t need to be job-searching to attend employer events. In fact, info sessions and panels are some of the lowest-effort, highest-payoff ways to explore careers — because they give you direct access to people inside the roles, companies, and industries you’re curious about.
These events are often hosted by your career center, academic departments, or student organizations. Some are company-specific (e.g., Careers at Deloitte), while others are broader (e.g., Women in STEM Careers or Intro to Tech for Non-Tech Majors).
Even if you’re unsure whether a company or role is a good fit, show up and listen. You’ll gain valuable context — the kind that helps you make more informed choices later.
When it comes to career exploration, hearing directly from the people who make (or influence) hiring decisions is one of the smartest things you can do.
How to get started:
Look at your campus career center calendar
Follow student orgs or academic departments that host panels or events
Search platforms like Handshake, Eventbrite, or LinkedIn Events for virtual sessions
What to listen for:
What roles are they hiring for?
What skills or experiences do they mention repeatedly?
What advice do they give for standing out and what turns them off?
You’re not there to pitch yourself (though some events include a networking component where that might make sense). You’re there to learn, directly from the people who hire, and use what you hear to sharpen your next steps.
Pro tip: After the session, write down one or two things you want to learn more about and one or two people you could talk to next. Then follow through.
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11. Join a Student Organization in a Field of Interest
You don’t need to major in something to test it out. One of the easiest ways to explore a potential career path is to join a student org related to that area — marketing, engineering, public health, sustainability, law, media, and more.
Most organizations welcome students from any major, and there’s no need to commit to a full year. Just attend a few meetings or events and see what clicks.
How it helps:
You hear how students in that field think and talk
You’re exposed to tools, ideas, guest speakers, and events you wouldn’t encounter otherwise
You get a quick sense of whether the field holds your interest (before you commit to a class or change your major)
How to get started:
Browse your school’s list of student organizations by topic or department
Show up to a general body meeting, workshop, or speaker event
Ask current members what they enjoy most about the organization and how it’s shaped their thinking about the field
Pro tip: You’re not joining to build your resume (although active involvement might lead to a leadership role when you find the right organization). You’re joining to test your curiosity. Drop in. Observe. Leave if it’s not a fit. Stay if it pulls you in.
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12. Attend Professional Association or Young Professional Events
You don’t need to be in the workforce to show up in the same rooms as professionals — and doing so is one of the most overlooked ways to explore careers. Every industry has a professional association, and most cities have young professional meetups or networking groups that welcome students.
These events help you:
Hear how professionals talk about their work
Learn what issues, tools, and trends are shaping the field
Start building relationships with people who could become future mentors, contacts, or even hiring managers
Most students never do this. That’s what makes it such a strategic move.
How to get started:
Use ChatGPT or Perplexity AI with this prompt: “I’m a college student majoring in [your major] and based in [your city]. What are some local or regional professional associations or young professional groups in my field that offer student-friendly events or networking opportunities that I can use for career exploration?”
Many events are open to the public or offer student pricing.
What to be curious about:
What kinds of roles do attendees have?
What topics are being discussed?
What organizations show up repeatedly and seem active or influential?
You’ll gain career exposure and get to practice networking in a more casual, real-world environment — often with less pressure than a formal career fair.
Pro tip: Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone in the room. That’s normal. Introduce yourself as a student exploring the field and ask a few people about their roles or how they got into the industry. Most professionals love talking about what they do, especially to students who show initiative.
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13. Complete a Virtual Job Simulation
If you want to know what a job actually feels like (without applying, interviewing, or committing to an internship) a virtual job simulation is the next best thing.
Platforms like Forage offer free, employer-backed simulations where you complete real tasks from real companies. You’ll write memos, analyze data, build slide decks, or work through marketing plans — all on your own time, in under 5 hours.
Think of it as a pressure-free way to test-drive a career and decide whether it’s worth exploring further.
How to get started:
Create a free account at theforage.com
Filter by industry or company (consulting, law, tech, finance, etc.)
Choose one simulation that looks interesting and commit to completing it in one or two sittings
What to reflect on afterward:
Did I enjoy the work I was doing — or was I forcing it?
What surprised me about the tasks or structure?
Could I see myself doing work like this regularly?
Pro tip: Don’t pick the one that sounds most impressive, pick the one that sounds most curious. You’ll learn way more from a simulation you’re genuinely interested in than one you’re doing just to check a box.
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14. Do a Job Shadow or Externship
One of the most direct ways to explore and understand a job is to spend time observing someone who actually does it. Job shadowing or short-term externships give you a behind-the-scenes look at what the work involves — the pace, the tools, and the daily tasks.
This isn’t about getting hands-on experience — it’s about watching closely, asking smart questions, and paying attention to what feels energizing (or not). Even a few hours can shift your perspective. And because these experiences are shorter (usually 1-3 days), they’re easier to fit into your schedule.
How to get started:
Ask your professors, career center, family, or friends if they know someone you could shadow
Use LinkedIn to find alumni working in roles or industries you’re curious about
Identify small businesses or organizations in your area — and don’t be afraid to walk in and ask if the owner or staff would be open to letting you observe for a day or two
Check out platforms like Extern for virtual, structured shadowing-style experiences
What to say when reaching out: Here’s a simple message you can send via email, LinkedIn, or even use as a conversation opener:
“Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [year] student studying [Your Major] at [Your University]. I came across your [profile/business] and was really impressed by [something specific — e.g., the work they’re doing in their area].
I’m currently exploring career paths related to [industry/field], and I’d love to learn more about what a day in your work looks like. If you’d be open to it, I was wondering if I could shadow you for a few hours or a day sometime this [break/semester/summer] to better understand the field.
Totally understand if it’s not possible — but I thought I’d ask!
Thanks so much for considering,
[Your Name]”
Tweak this to sound like you and adjust the tone depending on whether you're reaching out virtually or in person.
What to do during the externship:
Observe closely and take notes on what stands out to you
Ask thoughtful questions — especially about what surprised them about the role, what skills they use most, and what advice they’d give someone starting out
Follow up with a thank-you message that includes a reflection on what you learned
Pro tip: Even a single day of shadowing can give you more clarity than a semester’s worth of guessing. Don’t overthink it — most people are flattered to be asked. The insight you gain from watching someone work is often more revealing than anything you’ll find online. And if you represent yourself well, these short experiences can turn into internship offers, long-term mentoring, or future referrals.
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15. Volunteer in a Relevant Field
Volunteering isn’t just a feel-good activity — it’s also a smart way to test-drive roles, build transferable skills, and explore career paths without a long-term commitment. The key is to be intentional about where and how you volunteer.
That said, be realistic about where this works: Volunteering tends to happen in nonprofits, education, healthcare, and small local organizations and businesses — not large corporations. But that’s exactly what makes it valuable: these environments often let you see the work up close and test-drive skills in a real-world setting.
How to get started:
Try this prompt with ChatGPT or Perplexity AI: “I’m a college student majoring in [your major] and based in [your city]. I want to volunteer this semester in a way that helps me explore career options. What are 5 local organizations I could support — and what roles would give me the best window into the field?”
Research a few local organizations or small businesses. What kind of work are they doing? What roles do they seem to have on their team? Where would you be able to add value through your skills?
Reach out with a brief, specific message: who you are, why you’re interested, and how you’d like to help or observe
What to pay attention to:
What kinds of roles or teams are involved in making the mission happen?
What problems are people solving day to day?
Are the skills you are using ones you’d enjoy using every day?
Even a small volunteer role can reveal whether a particular job function or environment aligns with your strengths and interests, or not.
Pro tip: Before you reach out, do a little homework. Review the organization’s website, social media, or storefront and look for gaps or opportunities that relate to your major or interests. Whether it’s outdated content, missing digital tools, or a project they’re promoting, showing that you’ve thought about how you can contribute makes it way more likely they’ll say yes.
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Bonus: Intern in Your Target Role
The ultimate career exploration tool? An internship.
An internship gives you a front-row seat to the actual work, team dynamics, and challenges of a field you’re curious about. It’s not just about adding a line to your resume — it’s about testing your fit in the real world.
Even if the internship isn’t your “dream job,” you’ll learn what kinds of tasks you enjoy, what kind of work culture fits you best, and what types of career paths are worth pursuing.
How to get started:
Talk to your career center about internships tied to your major or interests
Search platforms like Handshake or LinkedIn for roles in industries you’re curious about
Consider semester-long or part-time internships — they can be just as valuable as summer ones
Pro tip: Don’t focus only on prestige. A smaller company or nonprofit might let you dive even deeper into real projects, and that hands-on experience will teach you more than just watching from the sidelines at a big-name company.
Analyzing Insights
The insights you’ve gained aren’t meant to sit in a notebook. They’re meant to shape what you say yes to, what you walk away from, and where you invest your energy next. Once you start to notice what feels right (and what doesn’t) your decisions get clearer, your actions get sharper, and your strategy starts to build.
This section will walk you through how to reflect on what you’re learned and how to turn those insights into action.
1. Capture what you tried
Look back at the 15 exploration strategies. Which ones have you tried so far?
Now, for each strategy you tried, list the actions you’ve taken so far — even small ones. Be specific.
Examples:
Completed Accenture’s project management simulation on Forage
Watched three “day in the life” videos of data analysts on YouTube
Held an informational interview with an alum working in education policy
If your list feels short, that’s fine. And if some actions were more helpful than others, that’s fine too. Not every action will lead to an “aha” moment. That’s exactly why it helps to try multiple avenues. One might fall flat. Another might give you the clarity you’ve been waiting for.
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2. Identify what resonated (and what didn’t)
Now reflect on each experience. What caught your attention? What gave you energy? What made you hesitate, feel bored, or unsure?
Example A: Completed Accenture’s project management simulation on Forage
I liked creating a project timeline and breaking down deliverables into phases. It felt good to bring structure to something messy.
I didn’t enjoy the status report assignment. Writing updates for stakeholders felt repetitive, and I wasn’t sure if that kind of daily communication would keep me engaged long-term.
Example B: Watched three “day in the life” videos of data analysts on YouTube
I was interested in the way analysts used SQL and Excel to uncover patterns and answer business questions. I liked the sense of solving puzzles with data.
But many of the videos showed people working alone all day with headphones on. It seemed like a quiet, isolated workflow, which made me question if I’d enjoy that day after day.
Example C: Conducted an informational interview with an education policy analyst
I loved how clearly the person connected their work to real-world change. Hearing about how their reports influenced school funding decisions made the role feel meaningful.
They explained that early roles often involve long hours reading through dense reports and policy documents, which made me question if I’d enjoy the more research-heavy nature of the work.
If nothing stood out in any of your experiences, that’s also a useful insight. It means you may need to try something further off your radar.
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3. Spot the patterns
Now take a step back. Look across everything you’ve tried. What ideas or themes are you drawn to? And just as important, what do you consistently want to avoid?
Start with a quick self-analysis. Are there common threads in what energized or drained you, or what sparked your curiosity or bored you?
These patterns can help you clarify the kinds of roles, environments, or industries that might be worth exploring further, and just as importantly, which ones might not be.
Using AI: If you’re unsure how to identify patterns in your notes, you can leverage ChatGPT.
Here’s a sample prompt:
“Act as a career exploration coach. I have completed a handful of exploration activities (e.g., job shadows, interviews, and videos), and I need help making sense of what I have learned.
I am going to share some quick reflections — they might not be fully clear or consistent, but I need your help identifying any patterns and suggesting career paths that align with them.
Here’s what I’ve noticed:
Tasks or topics I’ve enjoyed learning about or doing: (e.g., building presentations, solving problems, explaining ideas, working with people, analyzing data)
Tasks or environments I’d prefer to avoid: (e.g., working alone for long hours, repetitive writing, highly technical work, fast-paced or high-pressure settings)
Skills I believe I’m strong in (or have received positive feedback on): (e.g., organization, collaboration, Microsoft Excel)
Values that matter to me in a future role: (e.g., making an impact, being part of a team, having work-life balance, solving meaningful problems)
Based on this input, can you suggest five potential career paths that align with these preferences? For each role, include:
A brief role description, including typical projects and challenges
Alternative names the role goes by in different organizations and industries
Typical skills and education needed to succeed in the role
Typical career path and salary projection (position by position) 15 years forward
Occupational outlook 15 years forward”
If you’re still not seeing clear patterns, try a different question: What challenges or issues sounded exciting and I’d want to be part of solving?
That shift in perspective can help you identify a cause or mission that energizes you — and once you find that, you can work backward to explore the many ways people contribute to that space. Whether it’s through research, design, advocacy, business, or tech, there’s rarely just one path in.
Example reflection: Now it’s time to combine ChatGPT’s suggestions with your own notes to form a clearer picture of what might be a good fit.
Looking across what I’ve tried so far, I think I’m more interested in roles where I get to work on clear projects and see the impact of my work directly in the real world. It also sounds energizing to be a part of a team that collaborates on the issues at hand.
I’m less interested in roles where I’m working alone all day or doing tasks that feel repetitive. I didn’t so much enjoy the idea of doing solo data entry or heavy research and writing that doesn’t lead to fast results.
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4. Put what you learned to practice
Here’s the reality: If you don’t use what you learned to take action, the time spent on these experiences was not well spent. You don’t need a master plan, but you do need one next step that reflects what you’ve experienced so far. Something that gets you closer to clarity or further from the wrong fit.
This could be as simple as asking yourself:
What’s one class I could take to explore my interest in a specific area?
Who’s one person I could talk to to learn more about a specific field?
What’s one project, club, or externship/internship I could look into to
Example follow-through actions:
Enroll in Intro to Organizational Behavior next semester to explore people-focused business roles
Reach out to one more person working in tech project management to gain more insight
Find a campus organization for political science majors to talk to others on a similar path
The goal of these actions is to validate the direction you’re already leaning toward or pivot to a new path if needed.
That’s how progress works. Not through perfection, but through small, purposeful steps that build clarity.
Putting Insights to Action
Exploration is only half the equation. If you don’t use what you’ve learned to shape your classes, involvement, or future plans, all you’ve done is collect information. The goal is to act on what you’ve discovered — to turn clarity into strategy.
Once you start applying what you’ve learned about your interests, values, strengths, and dealbreakers, college becomes a lot more intentional. Your major isn’t just something you picked at orientation. Your electives, internships, and side projects aren’t just resume builders. They become steps in a path that makes sense right now.
That path might change — and that’s normal. But each decision gives you feedback. You either confirm you’re heading in the right direction or learn something that helps you pivot.
For example, maybe you thought journalism was your thing. But after working on the campus newspaper, you realize you love storytelling, just not chasing breaking news. That insight could point you toward content strategy, education media, or communications roles instead.
The key is to start moving. Every step teaches you something.
Here’s what that can look like in action:
Major, Minor, and Concentration
If you realized you’re more interested in the business side of health care than becoming a doctor, consider switching from pre-med to health administration or adding a minor in public health policy.
If you started in computer science but realized during a class project that you loved designing the app layout way more than writing the backend code, consider shifting to human-computer interaction or UX design.
Electives and Class Projects
If your exploration showed you love solving problems with data, take an elective in data visualization or pitch a stats-based final project in your marketing class.
If you discovered an interest in climate issues, take an environmental studies class and choose a class paper topic related to policy or innovation in that space.
Internships and Campus Jobs
If a job shadow helped you realize you thrive in creative environments, aim for a design-focused internship, even if it’s with a nonprofit or small business.
If you realized you value structure and working with people, consider a campus job as a program coordinator or peer advisor.
Student Orgs and Side Projects
If you found yourself drawn to environmental issues, join a sustainability-focused club or start a small project like auditing your dorm’s recycling program.
If you got excited learning about product development, join a startup org on campus or launch a mini version of an idea you’ve had.
Conversations with Advisors and Mentors
Instead of walking in with “I don’t know what to do,” bring insights like: “I’ve realized I’m interested in research and education policy — what classes or programs would let me explore that further?”
If you’ve learned that team-based projects energize you more than solo work, ask your advisor which classes or orgs give you more of that experience.
You’ve done the thinking. Now comes the building. Let your choices reflect what you’ve learned. That’s how you make college intentional — not accidental.
Bonus step: Want help creating an action plan? Use this ChatGPT prompt to get a tailored list of next steps.
“Act as a college strategy coach. Below are my reflections and target career interest(s) at the moment:
I’m drawn to: [e.g., collaborative work, creative projects, helping people]
I want to avoid: [e.g., solo research, repetitive writing]
I’m currently considering: [career path(s), industry areas, or still undecided]
I need you to help me create a specific action plan across the following areas:
Major, minor, or concentration decisions
Electives and class project ideas
Internships or on-campus job ideas
Student orgs or side projects to consider
Conversations I should have with professors, advisors, or mentors
Please make the suggestions realistic, aligned with my interests, and immediately actionable.”
Important: Don’t blindly follow the suggestions. Use them as a starting point. Then talk through the ideas with a trusted mentor, advisor, or someone working in the field. That gut check is what helps you avoid chasing a path that looks good on paper but doesn’t actually fit.
Let the AI support your thinking — not replace it.
Get Your FREE Career Exploration Prompts
Important: Want even more career exploration help? Check out our ChatGPT Career Exploration Prompts for high school and college students.
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Conclusion
Career exploration isn’t just about picking the perfect path. It’s about giving your time in college a sense of direction.
When you get curious about the kinds of problems you want to help solve, and start noticing the work, roles, and environments that energize you, your choices start to click into place. Classes stop feeling random. Campus involvement starts to mean something. You’re not just checking boxes anymore. You’re building toward something.
Even a rough sense of direction can change the game. You begin to filter opportunities. You say yes to the ones that align, and confidently pass on the ones that don’t. You make decisions that future employers understand — because they make sense to you.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. But don’t wait around for clarity to show up on its own. Clarity comes from taking action. From testing things. From learning what works for you (and what doesn’t). That’s what gives you momentum. That’s what builds purpose. And that’s what turns college into more than just a degree.
So stop waiting. Start moving.
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This guide is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While the strategies and advice provided aim to assist students in their internship and job search, The Strategic Student LLC does not guarantee employment or any specific job outcomes as a result of using this guide. Success depends on individual effort, qualifications, and other factors beyond the scope of this guide.
