Career Exploration

During high school, you may begin thinking about college majors or even a future career. You may not make a decision until after you are in college, since you will be exposed to many new ideas and career options. As you begin to think about careers, here are some tips.

List Your Skills and Interests

Your school choice may be based partly on the career you select. An inventory of your interests and skills is the first step toward making a career decision. Make a list of things you enjoy doing and do well. If you have any skills you have gained from work, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work, list those as well. Once you've completed your inventory, see if you can identify a common thread.

Look Into Prospective Careers

After you've determined your interests, you are ready to research different careers. Click here for a listing of links to helpful career sites. Also consider using an Internet search tool to discover other sites. Resources are available at your public library, through your high school guidance counselor or at an ESF College Planning Center.

Do Some Personal Research

As you narrow your choices, try to find out what your prospective careers are really like. Talk with people who work in fields that interest you, and spend some time with them at their job site, if possible. Another way to gain knowledge of a specific career is to work in that area as an intern.

Find Out What Else You Need To Do

Once you've settled on a career, determine what preparation you need. If specialized training is necessary, find out which schools offer the required training. Determine if your career requires you to take certification exams after college and if you need to earn an advanced degree.

If you have any questions about planning and financing a college education or selecting a career, please call 800.986.4322 (toll-free) or email us at collegeplanning@esfweb.com. If you wish to visit a College Planning Center, please call for an appointment to ensure that a counselor is available.