What makes you the person you are and who you will become?
Abilities — Dreams — Experiences — Interests — Preferences — Values
Are you undecided about your major or career goals? Below are some questions to think about…
- What do you like to do?
- What are your strongest skills?
- What do you value most?
- What classes do you like the most?
- Is there an experience that has led you to be interested in a particular career?
Ways to explore your options
- Attend a campus program and/or join an organization related to your major
- Gain career-related experience, such as: Shadowing or Volunteer Work
- Speak with family, friends, teachers, and your academic advisor about career possibilities
- Complete a career assessment
- Research majors and career options
- Obtain career counseling to discuss interests, abilities, and values
Food For Thought
College students make “major” decisions based on interests. According to a recent Graduating Student & Alumni Survey, college students consider a number of factors when choosing a major:
72.5% chose a major related to their career interests.
14.5% drifted into their major.
7.4% chose a major based on its earning potential.
5.6% followed a family member or friend's advice when choosing their field of study.
Data for the survey was collected and analyzed by NACE, the National Association of Colleges & Employers.
Explore Your Interests
What do you like to do? Focus on your interests - what you like versus what you do not like.
Examples of Inventories & Related Information:
- O'Net's Career Inventory: My Next Move
- PA Career Zone
- Kuder Journey
- CareerOneStop - assessment, career information, and video library.
- Holland's Hexagon - Can you pick out who you might be from the list of Holland's Descriptors?
Want to learn more? Contact Career Services to take a career-related assessment.
Match Your Skills - What Are You Good At?
See how your skills match up to different career paths. Take the O-NET Skills Assessment.
Values: What Means The Most To You?
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Accomplishment Advancement Adventure Creativity Education Family |
Freedom Health Helping People Money Physical Activity Power |
Prestige Respect Service Spirituality Support Teamwork |
Work Environment: Where Do You Picture Yourself?
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Close To Home Continuing Education Creative Atmosphere Flexible Schedule Flexible Setting Good Salary Independent Workload Indoor Work |
Interesting Work Lab Work Office Setting Outdoor Work Pay Based Upon Success Quiet Surroundings Repetitive Work Small Team |
Specific Job Description Structured Pay Structured Work Week Supportive Supervisor Team-Oriented Travel Opportunities Varied Work Versatility In Work |
See more about Work Context on the O'Net.
Research & Resources
- Career-related eBooks - Millstein Library
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- America’s Career Info-Net
- Passport Career
- Job Shadow.com
- University of Pittsburgh Greensburg Majors, Minors, and Certificates
- Major Examination - Issue 1: The Humanities
- Major Examination - Issue 2: Behavioral Science
- Major Examination - Issue 3: Natural Science
Activities & Experiential Education
- Shadowing/Informational Interviews: informational, observations in short-term duration
- Volunteer Work/Community Service: gain experience and explore career options
- Internships/Cooperative Education: longer-term practical experience in your major
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s First-Year Experience