Career Exploration & Major Pathways
Not sure what you want to do yet? That’s normal. Think of career exploration as a guided discovery process, a way to better understand your interests, values, strengths, and how they connect to majors and potential career paths. This page highlights two powerful tools that can help you explore possibilities, clarify what matters to you and make informed decisions about your academic and professional direction.
Start with Self-Discovery
Whitman Career Pathfinder (Powered by PathwayU)
Career Pathfinder is an interactive assessment that helps you explore career fields and job opportunities based on your interests, values, personality and workplace preferences. After completing the assessment, you’ll receive personalized career matches and can explore detailed information about roles, industries and educational pathways.
Use Career Pathfinder to:
- Identify career fields aligned with what motivates you.
- Clarify what workplace values matter most.
- Discover new roles you may not have considered.
- Connect assessment results to academic planning.
Connect Your Major to Career Possibilities
What Can I Do With This Major?
“What Can I Do With This Major?” is a searchable resource featuring 100+ major profiles. It outlines common career paths, types of employers, and strategies to maximize opportunities within each field.
Each major profile includes:
- Typical career areas
- Employers who hire in that field
- Tips to gain experience while in college
- Links to professional associations and occupational outlook data
This tool helps you see that majors do not equal one job title. Instead, they open doors to many pathways.
General Guidance for Career & Major Exploration
- Exploration is normal and expected.
- You don’t need a perfect plan to move forward.
- Focus on developing skills, gaining experiences and learning what energizes you.
- Curiosity and reflection are just as important as certainty.
Career development is a process. These tools help you take the next thoughtful step.
If you are a current student or recent grad, you can access more career and major exploration resources and life design tools in the . Or schedule an appointment with a Career Coach!
Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
No. Many students choose a major based on interests and skills, then explore career paths over time. Career exploration is an ongoing process, not a one-time decision.
That’s okay! ... and often helpful. Assessments are tools for reflection, not prescriptions. Use results as a starting point for conversations, research and further exploration.
That’s common. Many students have layered interests. Career Pathfinder can help you identify patterns, and “” can show overlapping pathways across disciplines.
Not necessarily. Most majors lead to multiple career paths, and many employers hire students from diverse academic backgrounds. Skills, experiences, internships and networking often matter as much as your major.
- Take a variety of courses.
- Complete internships or summer research.
- Conduct informational interviews.
- Join clubs or professional organizations.
- Meet with a Career Coach.
Remember: exploration happens both inside and outside the classroom.
Your interests and goals may evolve. Revisit tools like if your direction changes or if you want to refine your thinking after gaining new experiences. We suggest you retake the assessments at least twice during your time at Whitman.
Career Coaches and Student Career Advisors can help you connect assessment results to on-campus groups, community engagement/volunteer opportunities, internships, possible majors and long-term career goals.