Explore Self
First Step
The first step in deciding on a major and future career is to consider what you know about yourself.
What are your strengths? Interests? Personal values?
Knowing yourself enables you to choose a major and career path that will likely be a good fit. Consider exploring these areas through some of the free career assessments we offer. Career assessments help individuals learn more about their strengths, interests, values and personality, and what careers and work activities might best fit those traits. Below are several assessments you can incorporate into your career exploration.
Self-guided reflection questions to consider
When deciding on a major or future career, it's helpful to start by reflecting on what you know about yourself and what you are still exploring.
- Which previous classes, jobs (or aspects or jobs), or activities have I enjoyed most? Why?
- Which classes fit my learning style and interests? What am I curious to learn more about?
- What strengths or unique qualities do peers, teachers, or family say that I possess? What strengths do I see in myself?
- What is essential for me to have - or not have – in my next job and/or workplace? What would be nice to have if possible?
- What do I need to feel supported and motivated at work?
- What is important to me in a workplace environment?
- What do I value in a team?
- What does work-life balance mean to me?
- How important are the various aspects of my identity in relation to my work? In what ways do they shape what I want and need in a job, workplace, and team?
You are also welcome to bring this conversation to a session with a career counselor.
Free Self-Assessments
You can complete any of these assessments on your own, anytime!
Interests
The O*NET Interest Profiler can help you find out what your interests are, how they relate to the world of work, and what kinds of careers you might want to explore. This is a free activity that you can complete on your own.
Values
Much of the research on happiness and mental health shows that identifying and living by your values correlates to greater life satisfaction. The same is true for careers! By better understanding and prioritizing your values, you can gain clarity on a career path that will best align with your most motivating values.
Use CareerOneStop’s Work Value Matcher or this Values Exercise to discover your work values and choose a career that's meaningful to you. This is a free activity that you can complete on your own.
Skills Assessment
In order to learn more about the skills that you already have and how these match careers, try the Skills Matcher from CareerOneStop. This is a free activity that you can complete on your own