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Essential Tips for Effective Career Exploration

Some people seem to know what they want to do from childhood, but how many of us actually end up in those careers? For most of us, choosing a career is much more complicated—and often feels like a daunting task. It certainly did for me. In fact, my struggle to choose a path led me to a career in helping others navigate their own! Here at U Career Success, we offer a variety of resources, from career assessments to personalized coaching, to help you explore your interests and uncover potential career paths. Let’s dig deeper into some of the strategies and tools you can use to explore your career!

Tools for Career Exploration

In my early days of career development work, I relied heavily on standard career assessment tools, often referred to as career tests. These assessments operate on the idea that by answering a series of questions, individuals can compare their responses with models that explain how people choose careers. The goal is to match interests, personality traits, values, or skills with careers that align with those qualities.

I’ve always loved tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), CliftonStrengths, and similar assessments. While they offer excellent clues into your interests, values, and strengths, they are not a direct roadmap to your ideal career. Instead, think of them as snapshots in time that provide you with language to explore your qualities more deeply and how they might apply to your career path.

If you're interested in exploring these tools further, you can access Focus2 via your Handshake account, or check out the list of free or discounted-rate assessments below, and then speak with a career coach about how your assessment results can help zero in on career options that might be a good fit for you. Keep in mind that career assessment tests are best used as part of a larger process of self-discovery and career exploration.

Career Exploration

I later discovered the concept of narrative career counseling, which takes a more personal approach to career exploration. Rather than relying solely on assessments, this method encourages you to reflect on the stories and events that have shaped your life. What pivotal moments have taught you about who you are?

These can include:

Job
Classes
Activities
People who have played a role in your life journey so far

By reflecting on or mapping out these experiences, you may begin to notice common themes or patterns that provide valuable insights into your personality and aspirations. Recognizing these themes can help you better understand yourself and guide your career choices. Ultimately, it’s about understanding your identity and being able to say, 'I am a person who...' with confidence.

Recognizing these themes can help you better understand yourself and guide your career choices. However, true clarity often comes from putting that self-awareness into action. After all, understanding who you are is just the first step—testing out different careers through real-world experiences is what solidifies your path. Career exploration is most effective when paired with "experiential learning"—getting hands-on experience in potential career fields. To truly understand what career fits you, you need to experience it firsthand.

Here are the key steps to help guide your career exploration journey:

Self-Reflection

Think about who you are as a person by reflecting on your experiences and significant life events.
Ask yourself, Who am I?
Identify the experiences and moments that have shaped you.

Find Your Preferences

Reflect on your personal preferences in a work environment. What kind of environment helps you thrive?
What do you value most in your work—flexibility, stability, creativity, or something else?
Complete the statement, “I am a person who...” to define your core values and traits.

Research

Research different careers and positions that align with your preferences.
Talk to professionals in the field through informational interviews.
Arrange to observe or shadow someone in a role that interests you to gain real-world insights.

Experiment

Go out and immerse yourself in the fields you're considering. This can include:
- Short-term projects
- Volunteering
- Part-time jobs
- Internships

Organizations like the Goff Strategic Leadership Center, the Hinckley Institute, Bennion Center, Sorenson Impact Center, Business Health and Prosperity Center, and the Center for Medical Innovation are amazing places to experiment and receive valuable firsthand knowledge of whether a particular career fits you. You can find a complete list of these centers and institutes here.

Meet with a Career Coach

Finally, connect with a career coach to get personalized guidance. They can help you create an action plan, provide resources, and guide you through the next steps of your career exploration.

Choosing a career is a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and hands-on experience. While tools like career assessments can provide valuable insights, they are just one part of the process. True clarity comes from exploring your personal story, understanding your preferences, and immersing yourself in real-world experiences. Whether through internships, volunteering, or informational interviews, each step you take will help you gain a clearer sense of direction. Remember, you don't have to navigate this path alone—U Career Success is here to support you with resources and personalized coaching. Take the first step today, and together we’ll explore the possibilities for your future!

Career Assessments U Students Can Access for Free or at a Discounted Rate

Focus 2

A free online assessment which helps you narrow down your personal preferences, values, interests and skills, and provides suggestions on career paths that may be of interest to you.

Access Focus 2 (free)

Login in to Handshake and view this resource article for instructions to log in.

MBTI Career Report

Discovering your true Myers-Briggs personality type is the first step in developing greater self-awareness and unlocking personal growth. MBTIonline helps you explore your unique personality to improve interpersonal relationships and personal well-being.

Get the discounted MBTI Career Report ($25)

Please note that processing may take 2-3 business days, and our office is closed on weekends. Once your order is processed, you will receive an email with instructions on completing the assessment. Afterward, schedule an appointment with a career coach to access your results, which will provide insights into your personality type, career preferences, and strengths. If you have any questions, please contact Suzy Shurtliff at suzy.shurtliff@utah.edu.

MBTI Step II

The MBTI Step II assessment goes beyond the Step I framework to reveal the unique individual behind each MBTI personality type. It acts as a catalyst for enhancing personal and business results by providing focused insight to support development planning.

Get the discounted MBTI Step II ($55)

Please note that processing may take 2-3 business days, and our office is closed on weekends. Once your order is processed, you will receive an email with instructions on completing the assessment. Afterward, schedule an appointment with a career coach to access your results, which will provide insights into your personality type, career preferences, and strengths. If you have any questions, please contact Suzy Shurtliff at suzy.shurtliff@utah.edu.

Strong Interest Inventory Assessment

The Strong Interest Inventory assessment is a career exploration and planning tool designed to identify an individual’s interests and work preferences. It helps people explore potential careers and educational pathways that align with their interests, leading to more informed decisions and successful, fulfilling careers.

Get the discounted Strong Interest Inventory Assessment ($25)

Please allow 2-3 business days for order processing, and note that our office is closed on weekends. Once your order is processed, you will receive an email with instructions to complete the assessment. Afterward, schedule an appointment with a career coach to access your results, which will provide insights into your career interests, preferences, and strengths. For any questions, please contact Suzy Shurtliff at suzy.shurtliff@utah.edu.

Strengths

We've all wondered who we are and what makes us unique. The CliftonStrengths assessment answers those questions.

Get the discounted CliftonStrengths Assessment ($16)

By purchasing an Access Code through the U Career Success office, you're securing a discounted rate. After processing your order, you will receive an email from Gallup with instructions to complete the assessment. Please allow 2-3 business days for this manual process, as it does not occur on weekends. Once you complete the assessment, you should schedule a meeting with a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach at our office to understand your strengths profile and how to leverage it for personal and professional success. For questions, please contact Suzy Shurtliff at suzy.shurtliff@utah.edu.

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