Step 2: Explore Career Paths & Opportunities

Career Research & Exploration

💡 What: Explore Your Options

Learn what’s out there and where you might fit. Career exploration isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and staying curious.

  • 🌐 Use job boards like Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, or industry-specific sites to discover real opportunities
  • 🏢 Research companies and grad schools—look into their mission, culture, and career paths.
  • 🗣️ Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields you’re curious about.
  • 🎟️ Attend career fairs, panels, or employer meetups to learn from real-world voices and build your network.

🛠️ How: Start Exploring

➡️ Explore Career Paths by Interest Area
Not sure where to start? Use the Explore Career Paths dropdown (above) to browse different industries and career communities. Each page includes featured internships and jobs plus resources tailored to your interests. Select a category that aligns with your interests and start exploring real opportunities and career paths.

➡️ Use curated job boards by major/industry
Find opportunities that match your interests using targeted job search resources. Check out this NEW resource: Curated Job Boards by Career Community

➡️ Check out Viking Score: Research Employers
Research helps to identify organizations, job openings, and skills needed for specific careers and industries.
🔗 Viking Score: Career Research Guide

➡️ Planning on Grad School? Take a look at Researching Graduate/Professional School Programs
Compare key factors like location, curriculum, cost, and outcomes to find your best-fit programs.
🔗 Researching Graduate/Professional School Programs

🗣️ Conduct Informational Interviews

Talk to professionals working in the jobs or fields you’re curious about.
Informational interviews are one of the most effective ways to learn what a job is really like, understand career paths, and build genuine connections in the field.

👉 Use these resources:

  • 🔗 Informational Interviews – A step-by-step handout on how to reach out, what to ask, and how to follow up including sample scripts to help you contact alumni or professionals on LinkedIn
  • 🔗 LinkedIn Alumni Tool – Search Augustana alumni by location, industry, or employer to find people to connect with
  • 🔗 Building Your Career Network– A tool to help you track who you’ve contacted and what you learned

Tip: After each conversation, reflect on what you learned and what new questions it sparked!

🎟️ Attend Career Fairs, Panels, or Employer Meetups

Meet employers, ask questions, and explore your options in real time.
Career fairs and networking events are your chance to learn directly from recruiters, alumni, and professionals—and to make connections that could lead to future opportunities.

👉 Use these resources:

Tip: Even if you’re not job searching yet, attending these events helps you practice introductions and build confidence.