Reduce the amount of detours on your career path:

  1. First, determine your destination (your career options)
  2. Then choose your path (your academic plan) based on what is appropriate for your career options.

To determine your destination, investigate the list of career possibilities generated by your assessment of criteria for career satisfaction.

Once you have a list of career options, your exploration may begin.

How to Explore Career Options & Connect Careers to Majors

Explore Career Descriptions, Requirements & Projections

Learn what is required to enter a specific career field. Learn about a typical day and typical duties. Get a description of the standard work environment.

Find Resources for Students and Alumni in Career Resource Center

In our office at E334 Student Union, Career Services maintains a library of non-circulating materials related to career decision-making and job search.

The Career Resource Center (CRC) is open during our business hours.

Review the CRC book list ›

Examine Employment Trends

We encourage you to research:

  • What career fields are growing?
  • Where will there be future openings?
  • Which career fields are shrinking and suffering layoffs?
  • What fields give me the best potential for employment at graduation?

Looking only at numbers and current "hot" career fields gives an incomplete picture. Understanding the potential for future growth and decline is one important component of career decision-making.

Trends and numbers are an unpredictable factor in career planning. Additional factors, within your control lend to your success.

You create greater opportunities in a constantly changing environment by capitalizing on your interests, skills, and personal style.

A solid understanding of self is a critical factor leading to suitable career choices. It will also help you adjust to changes in the marketplace that are out of your control.

If you have not completed self-reflection activities, review our activities for determining your criteria for career satisfaction

Chart Your Findings

You might find it helpful to create a spreadsheet that allows you to compare the results of your career exploration research.

On one axis of the spreadsheet, enter the names of career options that match your interests and values.

On the other axis, chart the criteria that you are seeking in a satisfying career. Incorporate the results of your self-reflection and your Holland Type.

Everyone’s list will be different. Some sample criteria include:

  • Physical labor
  • High income
  • Contact with people
  • Work with things
  • Autonomy
  • Flexibility
  • Predictable business hours
  • Recognition
  • Opportunity for creativity
  • Promotion opportunities

Be specific based on your understanding of yourself and what you need from work to be satisfied.

Cross reference the items with the job description in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and other sources, and enter Yes or No in your grid of answers about the features of each particular career option.

Enter the required major or majors on your chart as additional information.

Order the career options from greatest to least number of “yes” notations.

The careers that most match your interests and values generally present high potential for career satisfaction.

Connect Majors to Careers

Learn about Wright State Academic Majors, Minors, & More »

What Can I Do With This Major? (University of Tennessee, Knoxville) »

What Can I Do With A Major In ... (University of North Carolina at Wilmington) »

Investigate & Select Related Majors at Wright State

Generally speaking, skills can be acquired.  You will need to assess your ability to complete the specific academic requirements to advance in your desired career.

Based on your past performance in particular subject areas, evaluate your ability to complete the particular degree requirements.  Consult your academic advisor for assistance.

If you are unable to complete the specified degree, conduct additional research to determine if there is an alternate degree or if there are similar careers serving the same interests and values that do not require the courses that present an obstacle for you.

Review Wright State Academic Majors to learn about the availability of your desired career training at Wright State University.

  1. Review the requirements of the specific majors.
  2. Connect with an academic advisor in the selected department, who can guide you in developing a plan for completing your courses in a timely manner.
  3. With the advisor's assistance, identify a list of courses and prerequisites.
  4. Plan to take courses in the appropriate sequence.