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What is the best way to decide what career you want to pursue as a college student?
How can searching for internships help you adjust to a new career? What is the best approach when you change your mind on the career you originally hoped to pursue?
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Laura’s Answer
Hello Ellana,
Internships are a great option for exploring careers but often times internships will want you to have a bit of experience or be in a certain major. I think the first major decision on careers is whether you want to go science or arts, this can help focus your intentions a bit more as your college will likely have a very specific set of courses for a BS versus a BA. Once your down that path, it can be hard to switch though switching within a BS or within a BA is easier since the core courses are the same.
As far as exploring careers, talk to family and friends, career counselors, professors, etc. What do you like to do? What do you think you'd be passionate about? These should be characteristics you consider. Good luck!
Internships are a great option for exploring careers but often times internships will want you to have a bit of experience or be in a certain major. I think the first major decision on careers is whether you want to go science or arts, this can help focus your intentions a bit more as your college will likely have a very specific set of courses for a BS versus a BA. Once your down that path, it can be hard to switch though switching within a BS or within a BA is easier since the core courses are the same.
As far as exploring careers, talk to family and friends, career counselors, professors, etc. What do you like to do? What do you think you'd be passionate about? These should be characteristics you consider. Good luck!
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Ellana. One great way to explore careers is by looking for internships. Internships give you the chance to work in a real job setting and see what it's like to do that kind of work. It's not just about learning in the classroom, you get to see the actual tasks and responsibilities of a job. By doing an internship, you can figure out if this job is something you would enjoy doing every day. Even if the internship isn't your dream job, it still helps you build skills, meet people in the industry, and learn more about what you like or don't like. Plus, internships look great on your resume when you apply for jobs after college.
While searching for internships, try to stay open to different types of roles. Sometimes, you might think you know what you want to do, but an internship might help you realize that it's not what you expected. That's completely fine! Internships give you a chance to explore and learn without committing to a full-time job right away.
If you start to feel like the career you originally wanted isn't the right fit, don't worry. Changing your mind is a normal part of the process. College is all about discovering what you're passionate about. If you decide you want to go in a different direction, try to think about what you liked and didn't like about your first choice. This can help you find a new career path that feels more like a good fit for you.
Changing careers in college is not a failure, it's just part of figuring out what works for you. All the best to you.
While searching for internships, try to stay open to different types of roles. Sometimes, you might think you know what you want to do, but an internship might help you realize that it's not what you expected. That's completely fine! Internships give you a chance to explore and learn without committing to a full-time job right away.
If you start to feel like the career you originally wanted isn't the right fit, don't worry. Changing your mind is a normal part of the process. College is all about discovering what you're passionate about. If you decide you want to go in a different direction, try to think about what you liked and didn't like about your first choice. This can help you find a new career path that feels more like a good fit for you.
Changing careers in college is not a failure, it's just part of figuring out what works for you. All the best to you.