CHOOSING A MAJOR & CAREER

Conducting online research and connecting it to real-life exploration opportunities is an effective way to support your decision-making process. Here is a sample decision check-list to help you walk through the decision-making process:

• Identify why you're considering a change (loss of interest, new career goals, academic challenges, etc.).
• Complete one or two career assessments.
• Research careers tied to potential majors.
• Meet with both an academic advisor and a career counselor. 
• Talk with professionals, faculty, and current students in your desired program or field.
• Consider taking an introductory course in a prospective major before officially switching, if feasible.
• Rank and evaluate your top options.

• Focus2 Career connects you with majors at Texas Tech University. Use the access code "redraider" to set up your account.
• CliftonStrengths can help you build awareness of your potential strengths and how they show up in the classroom and your future career.
• Career Onestop has a values assessment that can help you connect your values to specific occupations. 

• What Can I Do With This Major highlights potential industries and career paths based on general academic majors. 
• Red Raider GradStats, powered by SteppingBlocks helps you explore industries and career paths based on Texas Tech alumni. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, a resource from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, groups occupations by field and identifies positions by different fields, such as high projected growth and compensation.

Some questions to reflect on might include:

• What does a typical day look like in this job?
• What education is required?
• What is the average salary?
• Is the field growing or declining?
• What skills are employers seeking?
• What classes have I genuinely enjoyed?
• What assignments energize me?
• What activities make me lose track of time?
• What type of problems do I enjoy solving?
• What work environment fits my personality?
• What values are most important to me (e.g., helping others, creativity, financial stability, flexibility)?

As you explore industries and career paths, first-hand conversations can help you gain deeper insight into a career you're considering. An informational interview is a brief conversation with someone who has insight into the industry. These can happen virtually or face-to-face.

A few questions you might consider asking include:

• How did you get into your field?
• What do you enjoy about your work?
• Can you tell me the positive and negative aspects in the profession?
• Can you describe a typical workday?
• What degree of training is necessary for this kind of work? What major is needed?
• Is there potential for advancement in _____ position?
• What skills are most important for your kind of work? 
• Are you doing what you thought you would be doing when you started?

Be respectful and thankful for the time a professional spends in an informational interview. Send a thank-you note afterward to express gratitude.

If you are unable to connect with someone in your desired field, access online resources like CandidCareer+ or social media "day-in-the-life" posts to help gain insights.

Shadowing is a common practice in healthcare professions to help students gain first-hand insights into their desired profession. While not as common in other industries, shadowing can be a valuable way to learn practically about different industries. 

If you cannot connect with someone to shadow, consider completing an online virtual project through Forage. These low-stakes projects allow you to try out different industries without committing to a class or internship.