Starting college is a time of exciting possibilities, and exploring different career options early on can be one of the most impactful parts of your journey.
UTSA offers a unique space to discover your strengths, interests and values, whether through courses, internships, campus clubs or conversations with professors. Tapping into these resources broadens your view of what's possible and helps you make informed, intentional decisions about your future. By exploring a variety of paths, you gain insights that could lead to unexpected passions or reaffirm your initial choices. So dive in with curiosity—it’s a key to uncovering the career that feels right for you!
Researching career options early in college is important for several reasons:
Informed Decision-Making: Early career exploration helps students understand the different career paths available within their chosen field of study. This knowledge allows informed decisions about majors, elective courses, internships, and extracurricular activities that align with long-term goals.
Skill Development: Understanding the skills required in for a chosen career allows students to focus on developing those skills during college. This might involve taking specific courses, gaining relevant experience through internships, or participating in related student organizations.
Networking Opportunities: Starting early provides more time to build a professional network. Networking with professors, industry professionals, and alumni can provide valuable insights into various career paths and may lead to internships, mentorships, or job offers.
Competitive Advantage: The job market is often competitive, and those who have a clear sense of their career goals can take steps to make themselves more marketable to potential employers. This includes tailoring resumes, gaining relevant experience, and honing the skills that are in demand in a chosen field.
Exploring Opportunities: Some career paths require early preparation, such as gaining certain certifications, participating in internships, or completing specific coursework. Starting early ensures that students do not miss out on opportunities that might be needed in a desired career.
Flexibility: If students start exploring career options early, they have more time to change direction if they discover that their initial career choice isn't the right one. This can prevent needing to switch majors or start over later in their college career.
There are several resources for students to prepare for their careers – one of which is Steppingblocks, a tool for career exploration and information. Steppingblocks can be accessed at the UTSA Steppingblocks page. Steppingblocks offers options for students to explore careers and areas of study based on: a personality assessment, an assessment tool that gives information about a specific college or area of study, a search function by specific career paths, a return-on-investment tool based on cost of degrees and career paths, and job boards that connect students to employers by career field and location.
The UTSA Career Center also offers a variety of resources that include connection to career communities, professional development events, and information about career exploration.
Internships
Internships are one of many activities that fall under the umbrella of experiential learning – learning by doing with reflection on and application of new knowledge and skills.
Internships are structured experiences through which students can learn and practice transferable skills that are connected to a course, major, or discipline. These experiences provide the opportunity for students to integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.
Internships are crucial for college students for several reasons:
Practical Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience in a real-world work environment, allowing students to apply knowledge they've gained in their courses. This practical experience is valuable as it helps students understand how their academic studies translate into professional skills.
Skill Development: Through internships, students develop both hard skills (i.e. technical skills related to their field) and soft skills (i.e. communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management) that are essential in the workplace.
Networking: Internships offer students the opportunity to build a professional network. Interns can connect with mentors, industry professionals, and other interns, which can be beneficial for future job searches and career development.
Career Exploration: Internships allow students to explore different career paths within their field of study. By working in various roles or industries, students can better understand what they enjoy and where they excel, helping them make more informed career choices.
Resume Building: Employers are typically recruiting candidates with relevant experience. Internships provide that experience, making their resumes more competitive when applying for jobs after graduation. An internship can sometimes be the deciding factor for an employer when choosing between candidates.
Increased Employability: Internships can lead to job offers, either directly from the company where the internship was completed or through the connections made during the experience. Employers are more likely to hire someone who has demonstrated their abilities in a work setting.
Insight into Workplace Culture: Internships give students a glimpse into the culture and dynamics of different workplaces. This insight helps them understand what to expect in a full-time job and what type of work environment they prefer.
Confidence Building: The experience and skills gained through internships help boost students' confidence in their abilities to perform in a professional setting. This confidence is critical as they transition from being students to working professionals.
Academic Credit: Many colleges and universities offer academic credit for internships, allowing students to gain work experience while also advancing their academic progress.
Some HCAP majors require internship hours to be completed to earn a degree. Other majors do not require internships, but all HCAP departments have internship courses for credit and faculty internship coordinators that can advise and share information about internship sites and/or work with students to plan an internship at an appropriate site of the student’s choosing.
HCAP Internship/Practicum Coordinator Contacts:
Criminology and Criminal Justice – Chris Booker
Kinesiology – Sandra Morales
Psychology – Mary McNaughton-Cassill
Public Administration – Gina Amatangelo
Public Health – Erica Wallace
Social Work – Stephanie Ruiz
Sociology and Demography – Joanne Ford-Robertson
