Explore Careers

Take a career assessment. The UM Career Center [LINK to https://www.career.olemiss.edu/] in 303 Martindale offers assessments for $20-$50 that may shed light on your personality, interests, values, and abilities.

Free career assessments are offered online at:

Do some time traveling. Ask your parent, guardian, or someone who knows you well the following questions about what they observed about your interests as you were growing up. Create a timeline using pictures and/or words to represent your career time travel.

When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be “when you grew up”? What made you excited about this career? What did you imagine it would be like?
In high school, how had your involvement in activities changed? What classes did you enjoy and what careers did you consider? What skills and abilities were you hoping to use?
What do other people say you are good at? What skills and talents have you developed over time?

Investigate career possibilities. Visit at least one of the following links to explore at least one career and use the questions below as a guide for your reflection.

What Can I Do With This Major?
Occupational Outlook Handbook
O*Net
What is the most interesting thing you learned about this career path from your research?
What did you like the most about the career you chose to investigate?
What did you dislike the most about the career you chose to investigate?
From the information you gathered, is this career a good fit for you? Why or why not?

Interview/shadow an expert. Select an individual who is in a job that interests you. Use the following questions to help you learn more about the kind of work this individual performs on a daily basis. Ask if you can “tag-along” for a couple hours.

What was your career path? Your major in college?
What is a typical entry-level job in this field?
What skills are needed most for this type of job?
What are the rewards/challenges/frustrations of your work?
What do you wish you would have known prior to entering the field?
How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?

Take EDLD 201: Career Decision Making Available Every Spring. This 3-hour class explores development of self-awareness and career/life planning skills through exposure to theories of career development, self-assessment instruments, decision-making models, and occupational exploration.