Career & Major Exploration

Explore possibilities for your academic major and your career interests.

Career exploration is a process of discovery and connection. It’s about cultivating a mindset of curiosity and reflection to identify and clarify your interests, skills, values, and purpose to guide career decision-making. Engage in both internal self-assessment and external research and experiences to shape your story. The WashU Career Exploration Community is a place to start and also a place to pivot… to learn through transition and set action steps to move forward.

Career Engagement Process

The following steps loosely reflect what all people go through when pursuing something new related to career development (internship, job, research, graduate education, advanced career decisions). These external steps are accompanied by internal processes of reflection, learning, and experimentation. The process is iterative and repeats throughout life. Click below to see what each step entails.

Identify your interests, values, needs, skills, strengths, identity, and culture
Evaluate the fit of past courses, jobs, volunteer work, and experiences

Follow your curiosity
Join Center for Career Engagement Career Communities
Explore majors
Explore industries and sectors
Research occupations and job titles
Conduct informational interviews

Design and plan actions
Evaluate and prioritize options
Make decisions
Develop relevant skills
Set goals
Prepare application materials
Practice interviewing
Follow industry and employer specific news, social media, and resources

Identify listed opportunities and/or programs
Network and connect with alumni and professionals
Target organizations directly
Apply
Interview
Evaluate and negotiate offers

Gain experience through:
- internships
- campus jobs
- student groups
- study abroad
- project work
- research positions
- first post-graduation job
- advanced career positions
Develop personally and professionally
Evaluate and synthesize