Not sure where to start? Work through these four steps at your own pace — from learning about yourself, to seeing what others have done, to trying careers on for size, to talking it through with a real person.
Before you can figure out where you're headed, it helps to understand who you are. Start with PathwayU, then explore additional tools if you want more angles on your strengths, personality, and interests.
Take PathwayU
Take PathwayU to understand how your interests, personality, values, and workplace preferences lead you to careers that could be a great fit. This is our core self-assessment and a great first step for any student exploring their direction.
More Ways to Learn About Yourself
Want more angles on who you are? Try one (or all) of these:
- Career Toolkit Modules - "Who am I" and "What brings me joy". Self-paced!
- VIA Character Strengths — Discover your top character strengths and what you're naturally good at.
- 16Personalities — Take a free personality assessment to understand how you see and engage with the world.
- Reality Check — Short on time? This quick mini-assessment from NC Careers matches your interests to career fields in just a few minutes.
Curious what people actually do with your major? See real career paths connected to your field of study, and check out where UNC Charlotte alumni have landed after graduation.
Explore Career Paths by Major
Explore the Career Tree Builder to see the range of career paths connected to your major. This tool is part of NC Careers, North Carolina's statewide career exploration platform, and it's a great way to see just how many directions one degree can take you.
Explore Career Paths (note: this new dynamic resource has replaced WCIDWAMI!)
See Where Our Alumni Landed
The Career Center keeps data on where alumni go and what types of jobs they have after they leave UNC Charlotte. Use this information to plan your own journey and imagine the possibilities. When you graduate, don't forget to take the survey yourself to give back to future students!
Once you have a sense of direction, start testing it out. Join a Career Community to go deeper into an industry, try a job simulation to experience the work firsthand, or talk to a real professional through an informational interview or Meet Up.
Join a Career Community
Join a Career Community or two to explore careers within industries of interest. Not sure which one fits you? Join the Explore Career Community to start figuring it out.
Try a Job Simulation
Try out a job simulation through Career Forage to experience what the day-to-day work in a field actually looks like — no experience or application required.
Connect With Professionals
- Informational Interviews / Job Shadows — Connect with professionals working in an area of interest to learn first-hand information and start building your career network. Visit us during drop-in hours to learn more.
- Career Meet Ups — Attend employer-hosted Meet Ups to learn about a variety of industries and career fields.
Reference Tools
Want to dig into labor market data on your own? Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*Net Online
Explored on your own and still feel stuck — or just want to think out loud with someone? Meet with an Explore Career Coach who can help you make sense of it all and figure out your next step.