Learn About Yourself
The first step in college/major/career exploration is to explore what your interests, values, and skills are. While it is unlikely that you will find a career that incorporates all of your interests, skills, and values, you should be looking for a career that best incorporates as many as possible. As middle school students, you will find that these will likely change over time. As such, self-assessment should be viewed as an ongoing process. A few assessments are listed below.
Indiana Career Connect
Traitify
Career One Stop
My Next Move
Learn About Careers
Once you have determined what you are interested and skilled at, you will want to begin exploring careers and majors. It is important to note that some careers will not require college, but rather vocational training. Other careers will require graduate or professional school beyond a four year degree. It is also important to note that if your career aspirations require a college degree that there are often many majors that can lead to one career. For example, if you are interested in becoming a cardiologist, you do not need to major in Biology in undergrad. In fact, you could major in English and still go to medical school so long as your program allows enough electives for you to complete medical school prerequisites.
Candid Career
What Can I Do With This Major?
Occupational Outlook Handbook
O*Net
California Careers
Learn More Indiana
Learn About Indiana's Top Professions
Hoosier Data
Zippia - Career Experts
Learn More About Colleges
After you have a career goal in mind, it is time to start looking for what college or university will be the best fit for you. There are many things to consider: cost, financial aid packages, size, coed vs women's/men's colleges, whether or not your intended major is offered, and most importantly fit. If it at all possible, you will want to visit a campus before committing to it. If that is not an option, you will want to utilize your college admission representative for the university (usually delegated by region), alumni of the institution, and virtual tours (if available). Bottom line, you want to be sure you have all the information before committing.
College Board
Peterson's
US News
All About College
College View
Learn More About Grants and Scholarships
After you have everything else squared away, you will want to make sure that you apply for any and all scholarships and grants that are applicable to you. Most universities have scholarships and grants given out by department. Most of these require you to have applied by March 1st. You will want to check the university or colleges website to find more information on those specific scholarships. A lot of local organizations will also offer scholarships. It will be important for you to partner with your high school counselor for more information on scholarships available to you.
21st Century Scholars
Gear Up
Learn More
This is just a brief list of resources available for college and career planning. Please contact your school counselor with further questions.
Other Career Websites
The first step in college/major/career exploration is to explore what your interests, values, and skills are. While it is unlikely that you will find a career that incorporates all of your interests, skills, and values, you should be looking for a career that best incorporates as many as possible. As middle school students, you will find that these will likely change over time. As such, self-assessment should be viewed as an ongoing process. A few assessments are listed below.
Indiana Career Connect
Traitify
Career One Stop
My Next Move
Learn About Careers
Once you have determined what you are interested and skilled at, you will want to begin exploring careers and majors. It is important to note that some careers will not require college, but rather vocational training. Other careers will require graduate or professional school beyond a four year degree. It is also important to note that if your career aspirations require a college degree that there are often many majors that can lead to one career. For example, if you are interested in becoming a cardiologist, you do not need to major in Biology in undergrad. In fact, you could major in English and still go to medical school so long as your program allows enough electives for you to complete medical school prerequisites.
Candid Career
What Can I Do With This Major?
Occupational Outlook Handbook
O*Net
California Careers
Learn More Indiana
Learn About Indiana's Top Professions
Hoosier Data
Zippia - Career Experts
Learn More About Colleges
After you have a career goal in mind, it is time to start looking for what college or university will be the best fit for you. There are many things to consider: cost, financial aid packages, size, coed vs women's/men's colleges, whether or not your intended major is offered, and most importantly fit. If it at all possible, you will want to visit a campus before committing to it. If that is not an option, you will want to utilize your college admission representative for the university (usually delegated by region), alumni of the institution, and virtual tours (if available). Bottom line, you want to be sure you have all the information before committing.
College Board
Peterson's
US News
All About College
College View
Learn More About Grants and Scholarships
After you have everything else squared away, you will want to make sure that you apply for any and all scholarships and grants that are applicable to you. Most universities have scholarships and grants given out by department. Most of these require you to have applied by March 1st. You will want to check the university or colleges website to find more information on those specific scholarships. A lot of local organizations will also offer scholarships. It will be important for you to partner with your high school counselor for more information on scholarships available to you.
21st Century Scholars
Gear Up
Learn More
This is just a brief list of resources available for college and career planning. Please contact your school counselor with further questions.
Other Career Websites