Information helps you make a confident decision. Career research is all about gathering information to help you determine if you want to try something out or not. As you explore options, ask yourself:
- Can I see myself working in this particular career area?
- Does it match with my interests as well as I had anticipated?
- Will it afford me the lifestyle I seek?
- Does it use my top competencies and match my top values and strengths?
Tools to Use in Career Research
- O*NET — Occupational info from the US Dept of Labor; search occupations by keyword.
- Tisch Library Research Guides — Browse guides to get company info, industry news & subscription sources like Factiva and Nexis Uni.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook — Learn about occupations and the educational paths and experiences that lead to them.
- My Next Move — Provides three separate ways to narrow career options: keyword, industry, and interest.
- CareerOne Stop Toolkit — Information about occupations, industries, and more.
- Imagine PhD — (not just for PhDs!) a career exploration tool for the humanities.
- What Can I Do With This Major? — info on common career paths & employers organized by major.
- Tufts Career Communities — Career Center recommendations for industry-specific research & resources
- Interstride — Company info & job search resources for international students.
- Google News Alerts — Set up a news alert for a given organization for up-to-date insights.
- The Muse — Company culture overviews, employee interviews & more.
- Industry-specific publications — Depending on your interests, there are a number to follow, for example: Businessweek, Nonprofit Times, Poets & Writers, Engineering News-Record, Modern Healthcare, Bloomberg, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Advertising Age, Fortune, Backstage, and Fastcompany.com.
- Company/organization sites — Most organizations have robust company & career path info in Careers, About Us, and/or Contact Us sections. Read News & Events sections for recent trends and press releases.
- Social Media — LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, X, and others are a great way to get to know organizational brand & culture. Ensure your online presence is polished before you start connecting with employers through these sites!
Career Conversations
One of the best ways to gather information about potential career paths and options is by having career conversations, also known as informational interviews. These are casual, one-on-one chats with people who work in fields, roles, or industries that interest you.
Start by brainstorming who you may already know …
Maybe a neighbor or family friend has a job you want to learn more about. Perhaps a professor or classmate has insights into a specific industry or subject area.
Next, make new connections …
Try reaching out to Tufts alumni with interesting roles via The Herd, our networking & mentoring platform, and LinkedIn. Prepare thoughtful questions and approach conversations with curiosity. These small steps can open doors to ideas and opportunities you hadn’t considered before.
- Walk me through your career path. What was your plan when you were in college, and how did you end up where you are today?
- How did you figure out that this is what you wanted to do?
- Tell me more about your current role – what is your day-to-day like? What kind of activities and tasks does your job involve?
- How would you describe your work environment and the people you work with?
- Can you tell me about the industry at-large? What are some other types of roles that are adjacent to the type of work you do?
- What is the typical entry-level salary for some of these jobs?
- Which kinds of experiences would you encourage for someone pursuing a career in this field?
- Which skills do I need to prioritize developing if I want to pursue a similar path?
- If you were in my position, with an interest in _____, what steps would you take today?
- Based on my interest in _____, who else should I be talking to?
Additional Factors to Consider in Career Research
Education & Skills
What education is required? Will you need a graduate degree?
Valued Experiences
Which traits and experiences are necessary for success?
Typical Positions
What does an entry-level role look like? How do responsibilities vary by level?
Salary Information
What salary range can you anticipate, given your education and experience level?
Day-to-Day Operations
What does a typical day look like for the role you’re considering?
Hiring Cycles
When and how does the industry hire? Fall? Winter? Spring?
Geographic Locations
Where are opportunities typically located?
Industry Trends
What is the future of the field? Any notable trends?
