Career Search

"Find Your Passion, Define Your Future."

High school students can effectively explore careers and college majors through a process of self-reflection, research using online tools, and gaining real-world experience. The goal is to align personal interests and strengths with academic and career paths, while remaining flexible to change.

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Steps for Career and Major Exploration
  1. Self-Reflection and Assessment: Begin by identifying your strengths, interests, values, and the school subjects you enjoy most.
    • Ask yourself: Do I prefer working with data, people, or ideas? What kind of work environment do I see myself in? What activities make me lose track of time?
    • Tools: Take career aptitude or interest assessments to gain insights into potential fields. 
  2. Research and Exploration: Use online resources to investigate careers that align with your self-assessment results.
    • Talk to Professionals: Conduct informational interviews with family, friends, or other professionals in fields you are interested in. Ask them about their daily responsibilities and career paths.
  3. Gain Experience: Get hands-on experience to test your interests in a real-world setting.
    • High School Activities: Participate in relevant school clubs (e.g., debate team, science club, Future Business Leaders of America) or take electives related to potential majors like computer science or business.
    • Internships/Job Shadowing: Seek out opportunities for job shadowing or internships. This practical exposure can confirm or redirect your career interests.
    • Part-time Jobs/Volunteering: Part-time work or volunteering provides valuable, transferable skills like communication and problem-solving, which are crucial in any field.
  4. Seek Guidance: Utilize your school’s resources for assistance.
    • School Counselors: Meet with your high school guidance counselor to discuss your interests, review course selections, and plan for college admissions.
    • Mentors: Consult with teachers or other mentors who can provide valuable advice and mentorship as you plan your future. 
By following these steps, you can make informed decisions about your college major and career path, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future. 
School and Community Resources
  • High School Counselors: Your guidance or college and career counselor is a primary resource. They can help you interpret assessment results, plan your course schedule to align with your goals, and connect you with local opportunities like job shadowing or internships.
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs: Many high schools offer specific academies or programs in fields like health sciences, business, or IT, providing hands-on experience and potential industry certifications.
  • Informational Interviews/Job Shadowing: The most valuable resource is often people working in fields you find interesting. Ask family, friends, or teachers for contacts and conduct brief interviews or arrange to shadow them for a day.
  • Volunteer Work and Part-Time Jobs: Practical experience, even if not in your desired field, helps you develop transferable skills like responsibility, communication, and problem-solving, which are valued by all employers and postsecondary institutions.
Tips for Effective Exploration
  • Stay Open-Minded: The goal is to explore a wide range of possibilities, not narrow your path too early.
  • Focus on Skills: Think about activities you enjoy and skills you excel at. This is often a better guide to career satisfaction than just looking at job titles or potential income.
  • Document Everything: Use tools like the College Board’s portfolio features or a simple resume to track your activities, achievements, and experiences as you go. 
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 O*NET Interest Profiler
A free, government-backed assessment that matches your interests (e.g., Realistic, Investigative, Artistic) to a list of potential careers.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
A comprehensive guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that provides details on hundreds of occupations, including job duties, education requirements, salary data, and job outlook.
BigFuture by the College Board
An online planning guide that helps students explore majors and careers based on their interests, skills, and SAT/PSAT scores, including information on education pathways.
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CareerOneStop

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site offers a wealth of resources including skills matchers, interest assessments, and a searchable database for local training and job opportunities.

My Next Move

A user-friendly tool that helps you find careers by keyword, industry, or interests. It’s an extension of O*NET and offers a simple way to explore job options.

YouScience Brightpath (Paid)

This platform uses aptitude and interest assessments to guide students into career pathways and provides access to information on industry-recognized certifications.

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SchooLinks and Career Cruising

These are comprehensive platforms used by school districts to manage career pathways, track student progress, and connect education to careers.

Naviance

A popular college and career readiness platform used by high schools to help students explore options and plan for their future.

Texas Reality Check

A tool that helps students understand the link between their desired lifestyle and their future earnings potential.

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