Get to know yourself! Learn more about your personality, skills, abilities and interests. Then, put that knowledge to work as you develop a short list of potential careers that will bring you the greatest satisfaction.
There are many resources available to help you learn about careers, and here are a few of our favorite Web sites to get you started:
CareerOneStop
College Tool Kit: Career Exploration
CareerXplorer
CollegeBoard
For each career on your list, investigate the type of college education that is required. What majors will prepare you for each of these careers? At which colleges will you find these majors? Use the academic program search to match majors to one or more of SUNY's campuses.
Once you've narrowed your list, volunteer or job shadow in a career that interests you. Ask people whose jobs look or sound interesting to explain what they really do and how they got to where they are now. Begin with these questions and add more as you think of them:
Finally, be prepared academically. Whether you plan to attend a 4-year college, 2-year community college, or technical college, take at least five academic classes every semester in high school to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and reasoning. Take the most challenging courses you can, work hard and earn good grades.