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» Career Exploration
What is Career Exploration?
Career vs. Job: What’s the difference?
Career can be defined as “your life’s work; the path you embark upon to fulfill your professional goals and ambitions.” When you do work related to your career, it is something that you do because it is part of your purpose or “calling.” Your career ambitions can change over time, especially as you encounter new experiences that give you a new mission to be a part of.
A job is work you perform to earn money. Your job is usually temporary and can be part-time or full-time. You can view it as work that you do to live financially.
Throughout our lifetime, we will often have many jobs over the course of our career(s). It is common for those jobs to look very different from one another and still be actively contributing towards your career goals. There are also times where we may take on temporary jobs that are less related to our career goals, to sustain our way of living or to explore another industry.
Remember that the path we take to reach our career goals is not always a straight line. In fact, it more often looks different for everyone, even those with the same job title. As you continue to explore your career options, it is important to be open minded and patient with what your path may look like.
Reflective Questions for Career Exploration
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you explore different careers. Afterwards, make a career exploration appointment with your Career Team to discuss your thoughts!
- What is important to me?
- What topics and ideas spark my curiosity or excitement?
- What are my strengths/skills?
- How do I like to spend my time?
- What are my favorite classes, and why? Or, what was my favorite job/internship, and why?
- What are my least favorite classes, and why? Or, what was my least favorite job/internship, and why?
- If I had a magic wand, what would I do for a year?
- What jobs/careers seem interesting to me? Why?
- Who has influenced my ideas about my career options?
- What career paths or jobs can I cross off my list?
- Who else is impacted by my career choices?
- What kind of work environment do I thrive in?
Browse the portal to explore a curated list possible career options within a major
Schedule a career exploration with a career expert from Chapman's Career Team
Consider joining a campus club or organization to connect with others with similar career interests
Learn more about how conversations with professionals having can help with your exploration
Take a self-assessment or formal career assessment to discover more about your skills, strengths, personality, and options
Career & Professional Development
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Drop-In Hours
If you don't have an appointment, you can swing by the Career House to meet with a fellow student Peer Career Advisor during Drop-In Hours. View the Drop-In schedule »
Appointments
Both virtual and in-person career appointments are available for students and alumni.
Schedule career appointments via Handshake »Events
Explore upcoming career events on Handshake or events.chapman.edu
Links
Meet the Team »Handshake »
Career Blog »