When I’m choosing a major for my college education, help me to explore various career paths through internships or job shadowing, so that I can make an informed decision about my academic focus.
Meet Emily, now 18, who had been navigating her college journey relying on advice and what seemed like sensible choices. She was no stranger to career fairs and online research, trying to pick a major that resonated with her interests. But lately, Emily found herself at a crossroads—a moment of struggle where the paths she had been following felt murky and overwhelming. Her prefrontal cortex, in charge of decision-making and planning, was buzzing as she wrestled with this internal conflict.
Step 1 of the Pathway kicked off with Emily realizing that choosing a major solely based on general info wasn’t cutting it. She needed some hands-on experience to truly figure out which career path spoke to her. She pondered if exploring internships or job shadowing gigs would shed light on her academic focus.
Step 2 launched her into the world of internship and job shadowing research, connecting the outcome to rewards like better career clarity, increased self-awareness, and making informed decisions. But the sheer number of options overwhelmed her, leading to Step 3, where Emily crafted outcome statements and set her sights on completing an internship or shadowing experience within six months.
In Step 4, she grappled with trade-offs, weighing the relevance of various opportunities and how they could impact her career clarity. This is where Emily felt stuck and turned to peers her age who had been through similar dilemmas. They shared their stories, advising her to focus on areas that truly sparked her passions and leveraged her strengths.
Step 5 was Emily’s commitment moment—a gig at an advertising agency, reflecting her values of creativity and innovation. Step 6 got her schedule organized, mapping out the internship’s duration and tasks she needed to tackle.
Diving into Step 7, Emily dove headfirst into the internship, getting hands-on experience in marketing strategies and creativity, eventually leading to Step 8. Reflecting on her journey, she discovered a love for innovative marketing approaches, perfectly aligning with her desired outcome.
Step 9 brought a realization—Emily could explore different sectors within marketing. Adjusting her plan, she decided to shadow professionals in digital marketing to broaden her horizons.
In Step 10, Emily shared her journey, advocating for exploring diverse career paths before committing to a major. She presented her decision to her parents, who, impressed by her thoughtful approach, supported her choice, acknowledging her newfound clarity and determination.
Through the Pathway, Emily transitioned from initial confusion to a well-informed decision, showcasing how her outcome statement served as the benchmark against which she measured her progress, ultimately leading her to a clearer academic focus.