Exploring Careers
Below are free resources you can use to learn more about different career fields. Explore types of jobs available in different fields, what a job entails, if the field is growing, educational requirements, salary ranges and other helpful information.
- Career Exploration Module
This My Career Path module is an interactive ICON course that will guide you through career exploration. - O*Net
Look up occupations to discover tasks, skills, values, work activities, educational requirements, salary ranges and other fun facts associated with different careers. Explore tools to help you match skills, experiences and interests to occupations and plan your next move. - Occupational Outlook Handbook
Find career information on duties, education and training, pay and outlook for hundreds of occupations. - Career Profiles
Another good source of career information, salaries, and educational preparation.
Using AI for Career Exploration
Use AI as a brainstorming tool to connect your interests, strengths, values, and experiences to possible career paths. It can help you generate ideas and identify options to explore further, but it cannot choose the “right” career for you.
Sample prompts:
Just getting started
“I’m not sure what majors or careers to explore. Ask me five questions, one at a time, about my interests, strengths, values, favorite classes, experiences, and preferred work environment. Then suggest several majors and career paths to research, explain the connections you see, and provide specific job titles to explore.”
Exploring or narrowing your options
“I am considering these majors or career paths: [list options]. Compare them based on related job titles, daily tasks, work environment, education requirements, and potential advantages or challenges. Then suggest questions and next steps that could help me learn more.”
For better results:
Include specific classes, experiences, skills, interests, and career values
Ask for specific job titles instead of broad career fields
Reflect on whether the suggestions sound accurate to you. If not, ask AI to explain why each suggestion may fit or try the prompt again with more details
Identify the suggestions that interest you most, then ask AI to generate similar options
Ask AI to suggest next steps for exploring an option or building relevant experience and skills
Remember: AI may provide incomplete or inaccurate information. Verify what you learn using the career exploration tools on this page and conversations with professionals or career coaches.
Looking for more career-related prompts? View our complete AI Career Toolkit.
Career Assessments
Career assessments are designed to help you understand how your personal attributes impact potential success and satisfaction with different career options and work environments.
While no assessment can perfectly capture who you are or predict what occupation you’ll pursue, they can help you narrow choices and discover options you may not have considered. Taking an assessment is a first step in the career exploration process.
YouScience
Discover what makes you unique with this free online assessment with 16 separate "brain game" exercises identifying both your interests and aptitudes.
Allow 1.5–2 hours to complete the assessment; results are provided within 12 hours.
SparkPath Challenge Cards
Discover the challenges you want to work on today by using this online card sort. Understanding challenges and issues in our world that interest and motivate you, will help you research different jobs and experiences that will support you in your decision-making.
Create a student account by following the link below and insert the unique code: UniversityofIowa
careeronestop
Use the Explore Careers section to take free career assessments and learn more about different careers that suit you. You will also find other helpful resources within different sections and tabs of this website.
Assessment Quick Links:
My Next Move
This free tool helps you learn about your interests, how they relate to the world of work, and possible careers you can explore. Once there, click the "start" button under “I’m not really sure” to take the O*NET Interest Profiler.
Exploring Majors
Choosing a major can be a difficult task! Iowa offers over 200 majors, minors, and certificates—but how do you determine which one is the best fit for you?
- Visit with a Career Coach to discuss the options and/or take a career or interest assessment.
- Complete the Career Exploration module in My Career Path.
- Talk with someone who is currently in that major, professors teaching in that major or friends/parents/alumni who have graduated with that major - here is a guide to Informational Interviewing.
- Take classes in different areas to see what you are interested in. Or, consider taking CCP:1300 Major and Career Explorations to have additional support and guidance.
- Explore volunteer opportunities, internships or other experiences in those areas to see if it is something you want to pursue.
MyMajors
Take a free assessment that identifies your best fit when choosing a major at the University of Iowa based upon your academic aptitudes, interests, and personality.
What Can I Do With This Major?
Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers.
