How to Choose a Career (Guide for Students)

Choosing a career path at 16–22 feels like a massive deal. So massive, it almost shouldn’t be happening at this point in your life. If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, that’s totally normal. This guide is here for high school and college students trying to find a career that actually fits.

Remember, your major doesn’t lock you into one career forever. Take my story, for example: I had my path mapped out since age 8, aced school, and jumped into a job four days post-graduation. But I spent a decade feeling underpaid and unfulfilled. At 33, I pivoted careers and never looked back. The takeaway: weigh real-life pros and cons seriously.

Use your junior and senior years for internships, co-ops, and exploring career options. Many people switch directions, even after working for years.

Whether you’re unsure of your major or rethinking your plans, this guide will give you:

• Four key areas of self-assessment to help you figure out your direction
• Four steps to research potential careers
• Advice on where to get real-world intel and insights
• A straightforward matrix to help you make smart choices

How to Choose a Career — Quick Checklist

✔️Make a list of 5–10 things or areas that excite you and that you’re good at.

✔️Figure out your core values (principles that guide your life choices).

✔️Think about your lifestyle and how you operate on a daily basis.

✔️Take a validated personality test.

✔️Cross-reference the results to create a personal profile and have a clearer idea of what you love, what you’re good at, and what careers could be a good fit for your personality and daily habits.

✔️Learn about actual careers, jobs, and roles by looking at job descriptions (real companies who are hiring at the moment), researching salaries, and understanding how the job market is expected to change in the next 10–20 years.

✔️Consider the educational path you’ll need to take for each of your career options, and factor in the costs of tuition, relocation, and any special programs you’d need to take.

✔️Give each career option a test ride through internships, volunteering, job shadowing, freelancing, or talking to people who are currently employed in those roles.

✔ Once you have the list of top 3 career options, create a matrix of pros, cons, salary range, benefits, job market outlook and any other criteria you think is important.

✔️Talk to your career counselor (it’s literally their job to help you make a choice).

Let’s break all of this down in detail.

Start with Self-Assessment

If you don’t know how to pick a career, the first step is a detailed self-assessment.

This is the part where you do some soul-searching. This is also the part where you need to be honest with yourself about not only what you want to do, but also what you do well. In other words, it’s not enough to dream about working for NASA — to be successful there, you already need to know your way around numbers and have a knack for creative data analysis.

Identify your interests

“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Or so they say…

Truth is — you’ll have to work no matter your career choice. Multiple days in your life, too.

“Choose a career you enjoy, and work will feel a lot less miserable.” — Yeah, that’s more like it.

You probably already know your interests, but sometimes they become clearer if you list 5–10 subjects or activities that excite you. These don’t have to be only academic subjects. Include hobbies, extracurricular activities, and something you like to read about in your free time (there are lots of interdisciplinary options worth looking into).

Specific interest inventories or quizzes like Strong Interest Inventory, or O*NET Interest Profiler could help you discover your true calling.

Evaluate your skills

Think about what comes naturally to you and what areas you excel at with the minimum effort. There are two types of skills that apply to workplaces:

• Academic or hard skills — Think about your strengths and weaknesses through the lens of “measurable” indicators such as grades and teacher feedback.
• Non-academic or soft skills — These refer to your personal attributes that affect how you interact with other people. Examples include teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and leadership.

How does this work in practice?

Let’s say you consistently earn high marks in biology, chemistry, and anatomy while getting glowing feedback for your research projects and a strong grasp of scientific principles. These academic skills indicate that you could choose a career in science and excel in this area.

However, you can refine this result further by adding non-academic skills to the mix. Strong people skills like empathy and patience could help you become a good clinician. On the other hand, analytical skills coupled with a more introverted type of personality might suggest you’d be better off as a researcher (research-focused MD, marine biologist, physicist).

You can find more clues about your skill set if you look at your grades or read through feedback from teachers and instructors.

Figure out your values

Personal values (or core values) are the principles that matter to you most in life. It’s important to know what they are so you can figure out what motivates you and makes you happy, and what kind of life you want to live.

Understanding your personal values will help you make choices that feel right for you, whether it’s picking a major or choosing a career.

For example, if your top 3 values are authenticity, adventure, and individualism, you may feel the happiest in careers that give you freedom and allow you to be yourself — travel writer, videographer, tourist guide, journalist, or outdoor adventure guide.

If you need help to define them, this list of 200 core values is a good place to start. Ideally, you want to pick 5.

Evaluate your lifestyle and preferences

Consider what makes you comfortable daily. If you’re a night owl, a 9–5 job might drain you. Look for careers offering flexibility, like freelancing or tech roles, where non-traditional hours are common.

Next, think about how your career fits with your life goals. Want family time? Avoid jobs with extensive travel or long hours. Crave adventure? A role with travel might suit you.

Finally, assess your preferred work environment. Thrive in a bustling environment? A busy office setting could be perfect for you. If you value independence, explore remote or hybrid work. Enjoy being active? Fieldwork like journalism or careers in travel may align best.

Understand your personality

Personality tests are amazing tools that can help you figure out what careers might suit you best. These tests can tell you about your strengths, preferences, and natural tendencies by asking questions about how you think, act, and feel in different situations.

For example, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can tell if you’re more introverted or extroverted, if you prefer structure or flexibility, and how you make decisions. It suggests careers based on your type. You can try the 16Personalities test (a more recent version of MBTI), and get a full section on career paths when you get your results.

They also have a bunch of resources on how to ensure your career matches your personality. You can start with these 3:

• How to Investigate Career Compatibility for Your Personality Type: Exercises
• College, Trade School, or the Military?: Your Personality May Help You Decide
• Does Your Personality Type Determine Your Job?

Other tests, like the Holland Code (RIASEC), focus on matching your personality traits with work environments. It identifies if you’re more realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, or conventional and points you toward careers where people with those traits feel satisfied.

Other work-related personality tests to try out:

• Free DISC Personality Test / DISC Assessment
• Big Five Personality Test

Disclaimer: These tests don’t give you a perfect answer but can be a starting point to help you explore career paths that fit your personality.

Research Potential Careers

Now that you’ve gained some insight into your interests and skills, you should explore how they align with potential career paths.

If you’re not sure where to start, a career quiz can be a great first step. Just keep in mind that the results are broad, so think of them as a way to explore different paths within a category.

For instance, if the quiz points you toward “entrepreneur,” you might look into working for a startup. If “author” comes up, consider diving into the publishing industry or copywriting. Use the results as inspiration to explore the field and careers you might not have thought about.

Explore career fields

Even if you’ve already chosen your major, there’s an entire world of possibilities to look into.

For example, if you’re a business major, your options are working in finance, marketing, or analytics (to name just a few). With humanities, you can have a career in education, journalism, and social sciences. Besides your interests and strengths, you should also factor in the responsibilities and requirements for each particular job.

To figure this out, dive deeper into job descriptions:

• Head to job search engines and websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn and check out job ads.
• Read carefully about the required skills and responsibilities to see if you fit.
• Analyze keywords and phrases to find a career that resonates with your interests. Look for descriptions that mention the terms from your interests list.
• Look beyond entry-level positions to understand if a particular career offers the right growth opportunities for you.

For example, if you think about a job in marketing, there are different paths you can take, including:

• Content marketing
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media marketing
• Product marketing
• Email marketing
• Growth marketing
• Advertising

You can choose to specialize in an area or become more of a generalist.

Understand job market trends

Your interests, skills, and preferences matter, but so does market demand. Sometimes, what you want to do isn’t financially viable. Don’t invest time and money in a career with scarce job prospects or limited advancement opportunities.

That’s why you need to identify current and emerging fields with high demand and talent gaps. The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report gives an overview of projected growing and declining jobs and can be a good starting point.

For example, AI and machine learning specialists will be among the most in-demand new jobs, while automation and tech advancement will most likely decimate positions like data entry specialists and cashiers.

Research salaries and benefits

Money is a legitimate motivation and can be a deciding factor when you’re considering two or more career paths.

To get an idea of the average salary in a specific industry and role, use resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or Payscale. You’ll also see how your future pay might increase with seniority.

You should also think beyond the net salary and consider the benefits that come with the job. Depending on the industry, job type, and seniority, some of the most common benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans (401(k) or pension)
• Unlimited PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Bonuses
• Options
• Commission
• Flexible working hours
• Remote work positions
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Wellness programs (gym membership, mental health support)
• Subsidized transport
• Childcare support

In some roles (like medicine or customer service), employees are required to be on call, stay overtime, or work on weekends — for which they are paid more than usual. They are typically specified in the compensation package and can be a valuable incentive for employees.

Research job requirements

Next, you should consider the job requirements for different careers. This will give you a timeline and a clear idea of your educational journey ahead.

Things to take into account:

Educational path

• Identify required degrees and certifications.
• Understand additional training or internships needed.

Time and financial investment

• Assess the total years of study required.
• Evaluate potential student debt and tuition costs.

Relocation needs

• Determine if moving is necessary for programs or work opportunities.
• Account for costs like relocation or living expenses in a new area.

Gain Some Experience (If You Can)

You won’t really know if a career is right for you until you’ve tried it. Internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, job shadowing, or freelance work can help you gain some firsthand experience.

Consider internships or part-time jobs

Internships and part-time jobs give you a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of the job. While working, you will also be able to develop your hard and soft skills and build your professional network.

My top tips for finding internships:

• Career centers often have listings for internship programs, and career counselors can review your resume and offer guidance.
• Attend internship and career fairs to connect with multiple employers at once. Your school, local chamber of commerce, and even local newspapers can provide information on upcoming events.
• Alumni who work in your field of interest can be a valuable source of information, advice, and potential connections.
• Use job-related websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and SimplyHired to find internship opportunities. Also, look for field-specific job sites related to your area of interest.
• Tell everyone you know you’re looking for an internship — you never know who might have a lead. Instagram, TikTok, and X have become totally legit places to find opportunities.

Check out our article to learn how to find and land internships.

Volunteer

Volunteering allows you to contribute to a cause you care about while developing valuable skills and making professional connections.

Where to volunteer?

• Non-profit organizations — Find organizations that match your interests (for example, environmental issues, animal welfare, social justice, or women’s
• Community centers — Offer your help at local community centers, libraries, or schools.
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities — Many hospitals and healthcare facilities have volunteer programs.

Volunteering will give you practical experience and expand your network. You’ll meet people who share your interests, and these connections can lead to future job opportunities or mentorship.

Try job shadowing

Job shadowing is when you spend time observing someone in their job to see what they do daily. It’s a great way to figure out if a certain career is right for you — you get to see real-life tasks and the work environment, and ask questions.

To get started, reach out to people in careers you’re curious about — through LinkedIn, alumni networks, or through family and friends. Politely ask if you can shadow them for a day. Come prepared with questions, observe the work, and take notes. Afterward, reflect on what you liked and didn’t, and use the information to decide on your next steps.

Consider freelancing (even for free)

If you’re thinking about careers in writing, software development, or design, freelancing can be your wild card. You can start small with a few projects alongside your studies. If this sounds interesting, check out our Complete Guide to Freelancing for Students and Fresh Grads.

Research alternative programs

You can also join career-oriented student clubs where you get exposed to the field a bit, such as talking to professionals and doing case competitions to get a feel for it. This can help you cross off some potential career paths.

Some companies offer discovery or pipeline programs that allow you to get an idea about the company and the field. If you already have a company that you imagined yourself working at, you can give it a try. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to get in (especially if it’s a popular company and if their programs are rigorous).

Seek Professional Guidance

Making a difficult choice is exhausting and anxiety-inducing. But you don’t have to shoulder the responsibility all alone. Of course, it’s your life and your decision, but let professionals help you.

Here are some ideas:

Don’t skip career counseling

Take advantage of career counseling services at your school or university — they’re usually free and super helpful for exploring options. You can get personalized advice, feedback on resumes, and help with job applications and cover letters.

If you have the budget, hiring a career coach is another option. When choosing a coach, look for someone with good reviews and experience in your field of interest. Check if they offer a free session to test the vibe.

Talk to industry professionals

An outrageously simple idea — if you want to work in a field, why not talk to people who are already pros in it?

Informational interviews are simply an informal, one-on-one meeting with a professional in a field or role that interests you. It’s a legitimate, efficient way to gather information on industry trends, company culture, the role itself, the good and the bad, and what an average day looks like.

You will get a realistic picture of the job and see whether the role fits your skills and career goals, so it will be easier to decide whether to pursue a particular path. Plus, every person you interview becomes a potential contact in your field.

Although the approach is simple, you must be well-prepared to get the most out of it. Here’s how to do it right:

• Find people to talk to — Look for professionals in your field of interest on LinkedIn, company websites, through your network, on socials, or in relevant subreddits.
• Reach out — Send a personalized message explaining who you are, why you’re interested in their field, and what you hope to learn from the conversation. Keep it sweet and short (something like this):

• Prepare questions — Think about what you want to know about the role, the industry, and any advice they can offer. For example, you can ask things like:

What does a typical day look like for you?
What skills are most important for this position? How did you get started in this field?
How can I best learn about this role?
Can you recommend any resources?
Do you have any advice for someone looking to transition into this industry?

• Conduct the interview — Be professional, respectful of their time, and take notes.
• Follow up — Thank them for their time and write a short thank you note.

Make an Informed Decision

Now that you have all the information, it’s time to organize it and weigh in all the pros and cons (combined with your gut feeling and passion, of course).

In my experience, the best way to do this is to create a matrix (rather than just list the pros and cons). The matrix is essentially a table where you list your top 3-5 choices, and run them through key categories like Pros, Cons, Salary Range, Educational Requirements, Work-Life Balance, Future Outlook, Personality Fit, Day-to-Day Tasks, Personality Fit, Skills, and Industry Culture.

Here’s a rough idea:

Summary of the Main Points

Here’s a quick recap:

• It’s normal to feel confused and worried when choosing a career path, but there are things you can do to make the choice easier.
• The first step is self-assessment, where you explore your interests and identify areas where you excel. Try to figure out your core values and think about the kind of lifestyle you’d like to have.
• Research potential careers by including criteria like sub-fields, job market trends, salaries and benefits, and specific job requirements in terms of education, timeline, and investment.
• To gain some experience and test different careers, you can try internships, volunteering, job shadowing, freelancing, or student clubs.
• Involve career counselors and get in touch with professionals who are already working in the field.
• Ideally, pack it all up in a matrix or a table to review the pros and cons of each choice.

Before I leave you to it, a few final tips:

• It’s amazing to set long-term goals and plan ahead, but try to stay flexible and open, because career paths do evolve and priorities change.
• Everyone gets to their path in a different way, so don’t put so much pressure on yourself.
• Don’t avoid making the decision. Take your time, but also make sure you’re putting in the effort to actually figure it out.