Exploring different career choices before college

I'm a junior, and I have no idea what I want to major in or do for a career. What's a good way to explore different fields of jobs and career choices before I start applying to colleges?

It's normal to feel uncertain about your future major or career at this stage in high school, and fortunately, there are several ways to explore different fields before applying to college.

1. Job shadowing and informational interviews: Reach out to people in your network or use cold emails to request a job shadow or informational interview. This allows you to learn about different careers from people working in those fields. Remember to prepare insightful questions to ask about their occupations, work-life balance, and contentment with their career choices.

2. Internships and volunteer experiences: While it might be more challenging to secure internships as a high school junior, you can look for volunteer opportunities, internships, or part-time jobs related to fields you're interested in. The hands-on experience can offer valuable insights into various careers.

3. Online research and resources: Utilize online resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook to investigate potential careers, looking at factors like job growth, average salary, and necessary qualifications. Websites such as CollegeVine also provide articles that explain different career paths and majors.

4. Extracurricular and club involvement: Join clubs or participate in extracurricular activities related to potential areas of interest. For example, if you're curious about journalism, you might join your school's newspaper or yearbook team.

5. Summer programs and workshops: Look for summer experiences or workshops that focus on specific career fields. These programs can help you gain insight into potential careers and even help you develop relevant skills. When researching programs, ensure you focus on selective, low-cost, or free ones that offer genuine value.

6. College visits and course catalogs: By visiting different college campuses or attending open days, you can learn about school-specific majors, courses, and resources. Additionally, browse college course catalogs online to see the variety of programs and classes available at each institution; this can give you an idea of what kinds of academic paths may interest you.

7. Self-assessment and reflection: Spend time reflecting on your passions and strengths. Consider taking a career aptitude test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), to get personalized recommendations for potential careers based on your personality traits, interests, and skills.

Remember that it's perfectly fine not to have a specific major or career path chosen before entering college; many students change majors in the first couple of years. The important thing is to explore your options and stay open-minded as you go through the process.