Career Exploration

When it comes to careers, it's not always as easy as picking a major, graduating college, and then starting a job in that field. First you have to actually pick the major, and then you need to know if there are career prospects that are what you want to do. And it's not as easy as picking this major means you'll get this job. Sometimes things change. Because of that, we want to offer you resources that can not only help you pick a major that is right for you, but also help you find a career that you love.

YouScience

YouScience is the science of YOU – how your mind is wired, what makes you tick, the skills and knowledge that set you apart. You have talent and there’s a path that’s right for you – we can help you find it.

We are so excited to announce that we have YouScience as our career assessment tool! This is a brain-game based aptitudes and interests assessment that can help you better understand yourself, what you are naturally good at and what interests you. This can help you in choosing a major or career path, it can help in filling out job applications that ask more about you, and more!

YouScience is different than our previous tool, as each student has their own code. All Fall 2021 WT students should have received a code via email from YouScience around September 10th. If you cannot find it in your email, please reach out to our office.

If you previously utilized MyPlan, our former assessment tool, you can still access your results by logging in with the account information you used before. https://wtamu.myplan.com/

YouScience

Having Career Conversations:

Informational Interviewing

Even with the vast amount of information on the internet, it is still lacking in many things. For example, personal relationships and connections to the hidden job market. Because of that, informational interviewing is a great tool to utilize when you are wanting to get to know a potential career better, learn more about people who are currently in those careers, as well as build relationships and rapport with them. Because of the nature of informational interviewing, we've provided some steps to take when trying to get one set up, as well as how to conduct yourself and the interview itself.

Informational Interviews

Job Shadow Program

Career and Professional Development is establishing the Job Shadow Program to increase the opportunity for career exploration, professional development, and networking for students. This program aims to greatly increase student confidence when selecting a college major, career path, or industry field. This is a structured opportunity to bridge the gap between students and employers. Our goal is to help students with both their career development and career exploration. It allows them the opportunity to gain in-person experience in a career, industry, or field that they are aspiring to pursue, to see first-hand what it takes to do that position, what a person in that position experiences day-to-day (a live “day in the life of…”) and it opens the door to networking. They will be able to see how what they are learning in the classroom comes to life in a professional person and industry. It will allow them the opportunity to put on the shoes of a career path they are interested in and see if it fits them. The mission of the Office of Career and Professional Development is “To connect, equip, and empower students for professional success” and we believe this program will meet each of those points by connecting them with employers, equipping them with tools to further their career exploration, and empowering them by allowing them to experience the career they desire to pursue. Please fill out our interest form to apply!

More Information!

Designing Your Life

Whether you are an incoming freshman trying to decide your major, a graduating senior ready to start the job search (but may be you are unsure of where) or an alum looking for a career path change, Designing Your Life is a great process to help you make positive movements in your life to help you be where you want to be (but don't should on yourself and think it will help you get where you "should" be.) Read more Check out our Designing Your Life workshop. We have a pre-recorded version and have some scheduled in Handshake as well.

The Wednesday Way

A Buff's Guide to Career Exploration:

During the long semesters, every first Wednesday at 4:00 PM and third Wednesday at 12:00 PM, and a few times throughout the summer, we offer a workshop on Career Exploration. From how to do an informational interview to an overview of Designing Your Life (a fabulous book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), we hope you will leave the workshops feeling more sure about your next steps in your career exploration endeavors.

Register Here!

What Can I Do With This Major?

Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help. Learn typical career areas and types of employers that hire in these fields, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate. Continue your research through the websites provided.

What Can I Do With This Major?

Choosing a Major

Choosing a major is no easy feat, which is why we provide resources to help you. It's more than just checking a box then taking some courses, it is about planning your career and designing your life. Check out a step by step process here to help you start that journey.

Choosing a Major

Career Tools and Resources

Find more information about tools to research career fields, what is career coaching, find the answers to frequently asked questions about career coaching, and career resource links, along with additional information on assessments here.

Career Tools and Resources