How to Choose a Major & Explore Careers
Many students start college unsure of what they want to do after graduation—and that’s completely normal. Others begin with a plan but realize along the way that they want to explore new interests or career options.
Think of career exploration as a process: you learn about yourself, test out ideas, and build experience as you go.
Fellow the steps below to turn your career into clarity.
Before choosing a major, get clear on what actually fits your interests and strengths.
Ask yourself:
- What topics or classes do I enjoy (or avoid)?
- What am I good at?
- What kind of life do I want (flexibility, salary, helping others, creativity)?
Take our career assessment to explore related careers and majors you may not have considered.
Once you have a few ideas, start digging into what those careers are really like.
Look into:
- What people in that career actually do day-to-day
- Skills and education required
- Work environments and job outlook
Reading about careers only goes so far—you need to experience them.
- Take an intro class in a possible major
- Join a related student organization
- Try project-based or hands-on learning
Complete a short Forage virtual experience. These free, self-paced programs let you:
- Work on real-world projects from top companies
- See what the job actually involves
- Build skills for your resume
The fastest way to understand a major or career is to talk to someone living it.
Ask questions like:
- What do you actually do every day?
- What surprised you about your career?
- What should I try now if I’m interested?
Use Ask A Scot to connect with alumni and professionals.
You can:
- Ask questions
- Learn from real career paths
- Get advice from people who started where you are
Connect with a career advisor to get personalized guidance, explore your options, and build a plan that aligns your interests with real career opportunities.
