• Research your career options.

Use Quest to identify majors and careers that match your interests. Visit the Career and Experiential Learning Resource Lab, LU 235, the only centralized source of career information on campus. Use books on college majors and careers to investigate the educational requirements, responsibilities, employment outlook, and salary for different careers.

• Meet with a Career Center advisor.

Obtain information on how to research careers. Drop-in advising times are Monday through Wednesday, 1-3 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-noon.

• Attend Career Center events.

The Fall Career Fair is held in September with more than 100 employers and graduate schools participating. Learn about career opportunities and find out what educational background, work, experience, and skills employers are looking for. Cardinal Job Fair is held each spring to help you identify full-time professional, part-time, and summer jobs and internships you may be qualified for.

• Attend University College's Shopping M.A.R.T.

This fair is held each year with representatives from academic majors available to discuss your career interests. Learn about the career paths of former students and possible career paths for you. Contact University College at (765) 285-1510 for the date and time.

• Take advantage of the Senior V.I.P. (Very Informed Person) program.

Go to University College to get a directory so you can contact seniors majoring in areas that match your career interests. These students can offer advice and information from their experience.

• Discuss majors with a professor.

Contact professors or faculty advisors from programs that interest you for additional information or insight.

• Conduct informational interviews.

After narrowing your career interests, arrange brief (15- to 20-minute) informational meetings with professionals who work in career fields of interest to you. Use your network of family, friends, advisors, and professors to help you identify possible contacts. Contact the Career Center to learn more about informational interviews and networking.

• Contact professional associations.

Many associations related to your career interests produce informative literature about their professions. Visit the associations' web sites or write to them for additional information.  (The Career and Experiential Learning Resource Lab, LU 235, has a directory of national professional and trade associations.)

• Explore the Career Center Web site.

Go to our Great Links to Explore page.  This web page includes web links for career exploration and college majors and careers.

• Make a career decision based upon your self-assessment results and your career research.

Set some goals related to your career path.  If you have a difficult time making a decision, contact an advisor at the Career Center or the Counseling Center.

• Pick up a copy of Internships and Career Planning.

Visit the Career and Experiential Learning Resource Lab, LU 235, to receive a career planning booklet containing self-assessment and career exploration information.

Helpful Career Resources (available in the Career and Experiential Learning Resource Lab)

• America's Top 300 Jobs
• Best Jobs for the 21st Century
• Career Exploration on the Internet: A Student's Guide to More Than 500 Web Sites (CD-ROM)
• Career Guide to America's Top Industries
• The College Majors Handbook
• Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
• Guide to Occupational Exploration
• Jobs Rated Almanac
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O-NET:  Dictionary of Occupational Titles
• Opportunities in . . . Series
• 200 Best Jobs for College Graduates

Career Exploration Links