Career exploration is the #1 topic discussed in coaching appointments at the Center for Professional Development. Whether you are just starting to explore your interests for the first time or re-evaluating your plans, you are not alone. The CPD is here to help guide your journey with tools, resources, networks, and one-on-one support.
Remember that career education and career development are an ongoing process. There is no right or wrong career path. Your interests, goals, skill sets, and values will continue to evolve. Today’s average American employee will change careers 3 to 7 times in their lifetime!
Your ability to understand and articulate your strengths, interests, values, and goals is a first step:
Know Yourself

Begin thinking about what is important to you. One way to do this is by trying out the CPD’s two new career labs: the Explore Lab and the Decision Lab. These labs are composed of short but effective activities that focus on career exploration and making informed career decisions. Learn how your strengths, interests, and values can help you discover different opportunities, and practice valuable strategies that drive clarity and confidence when making important choices. Read more about the activities below:
The activities within these labs focus on:
- Decisions. This thought activity will help empower students to make career decisions with ease.
- Energy. Reflecting on their previous experiences, students will identify what tasks are energizing or draining. This activity then enables them to pursue work environments that match their productivity.
- Exploration. Our custom GPT tool enables Dartmouth students to brainstorm a list of 12 potential careers based on their values, skills, strengths and more. Whether they are undecided or already have a career focus, this tool will shed light on new career paths and how to pursue them!
- Skills. This exercise allows students to classify their skills by proficiency and enjoyment – leading to more intentional career planning.
- Strengths. By exploring their innate strengths using CliftonStrengths, Dartmouth students will be better equipped to bridge these assets to their career interest.
- Values. This exercise allows students to explore what values are the most important to them on their career journey.
You can also explore your values, interests, and skills with the following resources and techniques:
The National Career Development Association Internet Sites for Career Planning offers free self-assessment tools, such as:
- Talk with your friends, classmates, family members and others in your support network. How would they describe you and your greatest strengths? Does this resonate with what you are learning about yourself?
- Think about your favorite experiences to date, both inside and outside of the classroom. What aspects of each experience have you enjoyed most and why? What activities are you engaged in when you find yourself completely focused and losing track of time?
- What are you curious about? What topics are you excited to discuss and explore?
Employers have identified 8 top work-related competencies that they most want to see in college students they hire for internships and jobs. Our Career Readiness Competency Worksheet will help you analyze your strengths and identify ways to develop each of these competencies while at Dartmouth.
- Become a member of a student organization, take a part-time job or internship, volunteer, or try a free virtual work experience simulation.
- Attend career fairs and events promoted by the CPD to learn about different industries, employers, in-demand skills and job functions.
- Use Dartmouth Connect and/or LinkedIn to find alumni of interest. Reach out and schedule a few 1:1 exploratory conversations, to learn more about others’ experiences at Dartmouth, the paths they took post-graduation, and to hear their advice. A CPD coach can help you identify alumni, craft your communications, plan questions, and follow up.
- Research potential industries and employers using our Employer Research Guide in our Career Resources (further down the page).
Next Steps
Apply what you’re learning about yourself and the world of work to plan next steps. Schedule an appointment with a CPD career coach to discuss where you are at now and how to move forward.
