Career Exploration at CSU
Career exploration is more than choosing a job—it’s about getting curious, staying open, and learning more about yourself and the diverse career pathways in your fields of interest. Whether you’re just starting your journey at CSU or approaching graduation, we’re here to help you connect your interests, values, skills, and goals with meaningful opportunities.
Why Explore Careers?
Today’s professionals will hold 13–25 roles over their lifetime. That means career exploration isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a lifelong process you’ll revisit often. Technology, innovation, and global shifts are constantly creating new paths. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Exploration is part of your student experience—and we’re here to support you.
Career Exploration Is a Cycle
You’ll keep exploring, learning, and pivoting throughout your career journey. That’s normal—and it’s a strength. Our team is here to support you at every stage:
Reflect. Explore. Focus & Take Action. Repeat.
Building Relationships: Your Career Community
Career exploration isn’t something you have to do alone. In fact, the people around you are one of your greatest career resources.
We know the word networking can feel intimidating or transactional—but at its core, it’s really about building relationships. It’s about cultivating your career community: people who support your growth, offer insight, and cheer you on as you explore, make decisions, and evolve.
Your career community might include:
- Family and friends
- Faculty and advisors
- Classmates and student org peers
- Supervisors and coworkers
- Mentors and CSU alumni
- Career educators and support staff
Career Relationship Pro Tip:
Building a network isn’t about “selling yourself”—it’s about showing up with curiosity, being authentic, and staying connected. Ask thoughtful questions, listen generously, and follow up. Over time, these genuine connections become a web of support that grows with you—not just as a job-seeker, but as a whole person.
#1 Start with Yourself
Understanding your values, interests, strengths, and personality helps you make more informed choices. Reflect on:
- What energizes you?
- What kind of impact do you want to make?
- What skills do you enjoy using?
- How would you describe your strengths?
- Which Career Competencies do you already feel confident in?
- Which Career Competencies are you excited to develop further at CSU?
Self-Reflection Pro Tip:
Employers consistently value these Career Competencies when hiring. Explore your strengths, identify your growth areas, and start setting goals to build the skills that will serve you now and into the future.
Explore tools and resources to help you get started:
#2 Explore Opportunities
Career exploration isn’t just about choosing—it’s about trying, learning, and designing a life that works for you.
Following the principles of Designing Your Life, we encourage you to approach career exploration as a creative and curious process. You don’t have to have all the answers—you just need to start with questions and take small, intentional steps.
Here are ways you can learn about opportunities to build your skills, and grow your career confidence:
Experiential Learning: Gain hands-on experience and develop transferable skills. Check out our Experiential Learning Guide and explore the links below.
- Handshake – Discover Internships
- Parker Dewey – Micro-Internships
- Volunteer Opportunities in Fort Collins
- Campus Employment
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities at CSU
- Student Clubs and Organizations
Research Career Paths & Labor Market Trends: Learn more about industries, occupations, and the job outlook in Colorado and beyond:
- O*Net
- Career One Stop
- Colorado Labor Market Information
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
- My Colorado Journey
Learn about what are CSU graduates’ first steps after graduation: Every year CSU graduates fill out the First Destination Survey where they share where they go after commencement!
Discover Majors & Career Possibilities – Find clarity on how your academic interests connect to career opportunities:
Growing Your Skills & Career Confidence – Take small steps to strengthen your career readiness and build your confidence:
- LinkedIn Learning – Free for CSU Students
- Career Events Calendar
- Informational Interviewing
#3 & #4 Focusing Your Energy & Taking Action
You don’t need to have it all figured out to make progress—you just need a place to start.
Career exploration is not about having one perfect plan. It’s about aligning your energy with your values, being intentional with your time, and taking small actions that help you learn and grow. Think of it as building momentum: the more you try, the more clarity you gain.
Ask yourself:
- What is one area I’m curious to explore this semester?
- What skill or competency do I want to grow?
- What’s one action I can take this week to move forward?
Take Small, Purposeful Steps, here are some examples:
- Schedule a 1:1 appointment with a Career Educator
- Apply for a campus job through Handshake to build transferable skills
- Join a student org or attend a workshop that aligns with your interests
- Email a faculty member or alum to learn more about a field you’re curious about
- Keep a “career curiosity journal” to reflect on what energizes you
Taking Action Pro Tip:
Action doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Even one email, one conversation, or one event can shift your perspective and open new doors. Focus your energy on what’s next—not what’s final.
You’re not behind. You’re just beginning.