CliftonStrengths for Career Exploration

You are energized by getting things done and making steady progress. You tend to set goals for yourself and feel best when you can point to concrete accomplishments. In career exploration, this can help you follow through on researching options, meeting with people, and trying out experiences—but you may also need to watch for overcommitting yourself.

Try this:

• Create a short career exploration checklist each week (for example: research two career paths, attend one event, update one document like your résumé or LinkedIn).
• Look for majors, roles, and environments where there are clear expectations, measurable outcomes, and regular opportunities to accomplish tasks.
• Think back to times when you felt proud of what you completed (projects, jobs, activities). Make a list of common themes—what do those experiences suggest about the kinds of work you might enjoy?

You are comfortable responding to what is happening right now and adjusting as circumstances change. You may prefer to stay open to evolving opportunities rather than locking into one rigid long‑term plan. In exploration, this helps you handle change and unexpected possibilities, but you may need to set some gentle direction so you don’t feel aimless.

Try this:

• Treat your exploration as a series of short experiments—take different classes, try short‑term roles, or join organizations, and notice what feels energizing vs. draining.
• Say yes to opportunities that arise mid‑semester (a short project, a one‑day event, a new connection) when they align with your interests; your flexibility is an asset here.
• After each new experience, ask yourself: “What did I like about this? What didn’t fit? What does that tell me about work environments or tasks I want more of or less of?”

You are good at organizing people, tasks, and resources and enjoy figuring out how different pieces can work together. In exploration, you can design a path that weaves together multiple interests and experiences, and you can adjust your plan as new opportunities arise.

Try this:

• Draft a flexible semester‑by‑semester plan that includes courses, internships, campus roles, and other experiences. Revisit and rearrange it as you learn more about yourself and your options.
• Seek roles where you can coordinate efforts—such as planning events, leading logistics, or organizing projects—and pay attention to which settings (industry, function, team type) feel most natural.
• Look for ways to combine interests rather than choosing just one (for example, business + social impact + event planning) and explore careers where those elements intersect.

You are comfortable taking charge, speaking up, and addressing issues directly. You may naturally step into leadership—especially when others feel unsure or avoid tough conversations. In exploration, this can help you advocate for yourself and pursue opportunities with confidence.

Try this:

• Look for exploration activities where you can practice leadership, such as leading a project team, chairing a committee, or facilitating discussions. Notice what kinds of leadership roles feel most satisfying.
• In networking or informational interviews, use your comfort with direct communication to ask clear, honest questions about work realities, expectations, and challenges.
• When you identify an opportunity that interests you, challenge yourself to act on it—reach out, apply, or propose an idea—rather than waiting for someone else to go first.

You are motivated by performance, comparison, and striving to do well relative to standards or peers. You may track your progress and feel energized when you can “win” or exceed goals. In exploration, this can help you set targets and push yourself, but you’ll want to be thoughtful about what you are competing for.

Try this:

• Set specific exploration goals for yourself (for example: number of applications, events attended, conversations with professionals) and track your progress week to week.
• Notice where you feel a healthy competitive drive—certain classes, activities, or tasks. What do those areas have in common, and what might that suggest about potential careers?
• Consider fields or roles where performance is visible and measurable in ways that excite you (for example, sales, analytics, athletics, performance‑based roles), and talk with people in those areas about what “success” looks like.

You care about fairness, clear expectations, and treating people consistently. You tend to feel most comfortable when there are rules or processes that apply to everyone. In exploration, this can help you evaluate environments and cultures based on how predictable, organized, and equitable they feel.

Try this:

• As you consider majors or workplaces, pay attention to where expectations are clear and consistent—for example, syllabi, policies, performance standards, or promotion criteria.
• Reflect on past experiences where you felt frustrated by unfairness or unclear rules. What does that tell you about the kinds of organizations or teams you want to join (or avoid)?
• Look for roles that involve designing or maintaining processes—such as operations, program coordination, policy, compliance, or student leadership positions that support fairness and structure.

You tend to think carefully, weigh risks, and consider possible consequences before making decisions. You may move more slowly than others, but you bring depth and caution to your choices. In exploration, this can help you avoid rushing into ill‑fitting paths—but you may need to set time boundaries so you don’t get stuck.

Try this:

• Give yourself permission to take time with big decisions (like choosing a major or offer), while also setting a clear decision date so you keep moving.
• When exploring options, make a short list of key risk/benefit questions (e.g., “What could be challenging for me in this field?” “What is the worst‑case scenario, and how likely is it?”).
• Notice where you feel naturally cautious and where you feel comfortable moving faster; that pattern can offer clues about environments that feel safe vs. draining.

You like structure, organization, and routines. You may prefer clear plans, schedules, and order, and you tend to feel more relaxed when things are organized. In exploration, this can help you create a realistic plan and follow through, but you may need to leave some room for flexibility and new opportunities.

Try this:

• Build a simple exploration plan using your organizational strengths: schedule time on your calendar for researching roles, attending events, or meeting with advisors and stick to it.
• Notice which classes, jobs, or activities let you use your planning and organizing skills most—these contexts might point toward fields like project management, operations, administration, or logistics.
• When you feel uncertain about your direction, create a structured list of next steps (for example, “this month I will talk to X people, explore Y roles, and apply to Z experiences”) to regain a sense of control and momentum.

You are good at concentrating on priorities and staying on track once you know where you’re heading. You like clear goals and may feel frustrated when there are too many competing directions. In exploration, this can help you build momentum, but you may need to allow some time for exploration before locking in.

Try this:

• Choose one or two exploration priorities at a time (for example, exploring two industries this semester instead of six) so you can go deeper and use your focus well.
• Set specific, time‑bound goals for exploration, such as: “By the end of the month, I will have talked with three professionals in field X and researched two related roles.”
• Notice which topics or activities hold your attention the longest—those areas of sustained focus can be strong clues about work you may find engaging over time.

You prefer cooperation over conflict and often look for practical, agreeable solutions. You may be especially tuned in to how well people work together and whether an environment feels peaceful or tense. In exploration, this can help you evaluate team cultures and seek roles where collaboration is valued.

Try this:

• Reflect on teams or groups where you felt comfortable and productive—what was the tone of the group, and how did people handle disagreement? Look for similar environments in future roles.
• When exploring organizations, pay attention to how people talk about teamwork, communication, and handling conflict. Ask questions like: “How does your team handle disagreements?” during informational interviews.
• Consider careers where helping people work together is important (for example, project coordination, HR, facilitation, mediation, team leadership, customer/client service) and notice which of those settings feel most appealing.

You are aware of who might be on the edges of a group and are drawn to bringing people in. You value belonging and tend to create spaces where others feel welcome. In exploration, this can guide you toward environments and roles where inclusion, diversity, and community really matter.

Try this:

• Notice which classes, clubs, or workplaces feel welcoming and inclusive, and which feel exclusive or closed. Use that information when deciding where to invest your time.
• Look for opportunities to connect different groups—for example, collaborating across student organizations or departments on shared projects or events.
• Explore careers and fields where inclusion is important, such as student affairs, HR, community organizing, education, or diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and talk with people about how they build belonging in their roles.

You like to collect information, ideas, and resources. You may keep articles, links, notes, or examples “just in case they’re useful later.” In exploration, this can help you gather a rich set of data about careers—if you also have a way to organize and use what you collect.

Try this:

• Create a career exploration notebook or digital folder where you save job postings, articles, notes from conversations, and reflections, organized by theme (industries, roles, organizations).
• When you learn something interesting about a field, share it with classmates or friends who might benefit; teaching or sharing can clarify what appeals to you.
• Watch for patterns in what you collect: Which topics or roles do you keep bookmarking or coming back to? Those recurring interests can point to paths worth exploring more deeply.

You are energized by the process of learning itself. You get satisfaction from acquiring new knowledge or skills, regardless of whether you “master” a topic right away. In exploration, this can make you especially open to new fields and adaptable in changing career landscapes.

Try this:

• Notice which topics you choose to learn about on your own (podcasts, articles, side projects). These self‑directed interests can be strong clues about fields you may enjoy.
• Look for roles and industries where continuous learning is part of the job—such as consulting, technology, research, education, or fast‑changing fields—and ask professionals how they keep up and grow.
• Build exploration into your learning: take introductory courses, attend workshops, or complete short online modules in areas you’re curious about, then reflect on which ones you want to go deeper in

You naturally bring energy, encouragement, and an optimistic outlook to situations. You tend to see what’s possible and can help others stay motivated. In exploration, this can keep you moving forward through uncertainty and rejection, and can guide you toward environments that appreciate your upbeat approach.

Try this:

• Notice which classes, jobs, or activities make it easy for you to be enthusiastic—those are clues about settings that fit your energy.
• Use your Positivity to make exploration more sustainable: celebrate small wins (finishing a résumé draft, attending an event, having a conversation) rather than only big outcomes (landing an offer).
• Consider careers where your ability to uplift and engage others is valuable—such as customer service, events, teaching, student affairs, hospitality, or team‑based roles—and talk with people about how they use positive energy in their work.

You feel a strong sense of ownership for what you commit to. When you say you will do something, you take it seriously. In exploration, this can help you follow through on applications, projects, and commitments—but you may also need to be careful not to say “yes” to everything.

Try this:

• Set clear commitments to yourself for exploration (for example, “I will apply to three internships by this date” or “I will meet with a career coach this month”) and honor them the way you would commitments to others.
• Reflect on roles where people trusted you with important tasks. What types of responsibilities did you enjoy most? Those may point toward fields or functions where you’d thrive.
• Practice saying “yes” selectively: choose opportunities that align with your goals and values, and give yourself permission to say “no” to commitments that do not support your exploration or well‑being.

You have an inner sense of confidence in your judgment and your ability to handle challenges. You are often comfortable making decisions and trusting your instincts, even when others are unsure. In exploration, this can help you move forward in the face of uncertainty and own your choices.

Try this:

• When others feel stuck, use your confidence to propose a next step—such as reaching out to a contact, attending an event, or trying a new role—and notice what you learn.
• Reflect on decisions you’ve made that turned out well because you trusted your gut. What patterns do you see in the kinds of risks or directions that worked for you?
• In conversations with professionals, don’t be afraid to ask direct questions about fit (culture, expectations, growth) so you can decide if a path truly aligns with how you want to work and live.

You tend to see patterns, evaluate options, and imagine different pathways. You are good at anticipating obstacles and choosing a route that makes sense. In exploration, this can help you design a thoughtful plan and adjust as you learn more.

Try this:

• Map out multiple possible paths instead of only one (“If I pursue Path A, what might the next few years look like? What about Path B or C?”). Compare what excites you about each.
• Use your Strategic thinking to identify leverage points—experiences (courses, internships, projects) that open several options at once rather than only one narrow path.
• Periodically step back and ask: “Given what I’ve learned so far, does my current plan still make sense? What needs to change?” Then adjust your course rather than staying on autopilot.

You like to move from ideas to action and may get impatient if you stay in planning mode too long. In career exploration, this means you are well‑suited to testing options rather than just thinking about them. You make progress by trying things and learning from experience.

Try this:

• When you feel stuck comparing options, ask: “What is the smallest experiment I can run to learn more about this path?” Then do it and reflect on what you learn.
• For every career idea you have, identify one concrete action to take in the next week (e.g., attend an employer info session, schedule an informational interview, shadow someone, or join a relevant student group).
• Volunteer to help start or pilot something related to a field you’re curious about, such as a new project, event, or initiative.

You enjoy asking questions, examining evidence, and looking for logical explanations. You may want solid information before you feel confident choosing a direction. In exploration, this helps you compare options thoughtfully, but you might need to guard against over‑researching and under‑deciding.

Try this:

• Build a simple comparison table for majors or career paths that interest you (columns might include: typical roles, daily tasks, skills used, education needed, salary range, growth outlook).
• Use your questioning talent in conversations: ask advisors, faculty, alumni, and employers about how work really looks day‑to‑day and what success requires.
• Set a time limit for research on each option, then commit to taking one action—such as enrolling in a class, applying for an internship, or attending a related event—so you move from analysis to experience.

You are guided by clear values and a strong sense of what matters to you. You are often most engaged when your work aligns with your beliefs, principles, or causes you care about. In exploration, this can help you filter options based on purpose and impact, not just title or salary.

Try this:

• Make a list of issues, causes, or values that matter most to you (for example: sustainability, equity, education, innovation, community). Use this as a lens when you consider majors, internships, and organizations.
• When researching potential roles or employers, look for mission statements, projects, or cultures that resonate with your values. Note which ones feel exciting vs. “just OK.”
• Pay attention to times when you felt strongly that something was “right” or “wrong” in a class, job, or organization. What does that tell you about environments where you are most likely to thrive?

You enjoy expressing ideas—speaking, presenting, explaining, or writing. You often help others understand information and may be energized by opportunities to share stories or teach. In exploration, this can guide you toward roles where communication is central and can help you tell your own story clearly.

Try this:

• Pay attention to classes and experiences where you’ve enjoyed presenting, facilitating, or writing. What types of content and audiences have felt most natural to you?
• Use your communication talent to make exploration more active: present what you learn about a field to a friend, write a short reflection, or explain a role out loud as if you’re teaching it to someone else.
• Explore careers where communication is a key part of the job (for example, marketing, teaching, consulting, relationship management, training, advocacy) and talk with people in those roles about what they do day‑to‑day.

You tend to see links between people, ideas, and events, and may feel that things are part of a larger whole. You think about the broader impact of choices on communities, systems, or the world. In exploration, this can guide you toward work that feels meaningful and interconnected.

Try this:

• When you consider a major or career path, ask: “How does this work connect to something larger—people, communities, issues, or systems I care about?”
• Look for roles and organizations that emphasize collaboration, community impact, or systems thinking (for example, nonprofits, social impact work, sustainability, education, policy).
• Reflect on times when you felt particularly connected—to a group, cause, or project. What were you doing, who were you with, and what kind of contribution were you making? Use those patterns to guide future exploration.

You like to know the backstory. You naturally look to the past to understand how you got to the present, and you may enjoy history, origin stories, and timelines. In exploration, this can help you make sense of fields, organizations, and trends by seeing how they evolved.

Try this:

• When exploring a career area, start by learning its history and evolution: How did this field begin? How has it changed over time? What’s happening now?
• In conversations with professionals, ask questions about their path: “How did you get into this work?” “How has the role changed since you started?”
• Reflect on times when understanding background helped you succeed in a class, project, or job. Consider careers where context and history matter (for example, policy, research, law, history‑related work, archival roles).

You notice potential in people and enjoy supporting their growth. You are often energized by seeing others improve, even in small ways. In exploration, this can guide you toward people‑focused roles and environments where development, mentoring, and teaching are valued.

Try this:

• List times when you helped someone learn, grow, or gain confidence (tutoring, mentoring, training, peer support). What did you enjoy most about those experiences?
• Explore careers where developing others is central—such as education, coaching, training, management, student affairs, or community programs. Talk with people in those roles about what their work is like.
• In campus roles, intentionally choose opportunities where you can support others’ growth (for example, peer mentor, RA, orientation leader, team captain, club officer) and pay attention to which settings and age groups you enjoy working with most.

You naturally sense and care about how others are feeling. You often pick up on tone, mood, and unspoken dynamics. In exploration, this can help you choose environments where people are treated well and where you can support others, but you may also need to protect your own energy in high‑emotion settings.

Try this:

• Reflect on times when you felt especially connected to people’s experiences—in classes, jobs, volunteering, or group projects. What types of roles allowed you to support or advocate for others in ways that felt meaningful?
• When learning about careers, pay attention to how professionals talk about relationships, team culture, and care for others; notice which organizations’ values resonate with you.
• Consider paths where emotional insight is an asset—for example, counseling‑related fields, human resources, student support, healthcare, coaching, or community work—and talk with people in those areas about both the rewards and emotional demands.

You are drawn to thinking about the future and imagining what could be. You may often picture where you want to be in a few years and what kind of impact you’d like to have. In exploration, this can help you create an inspiring vision that guides your choices.

Try this:

• Write a short future snapshot of yourself 5–10 years from now: What are you doing day‑to‑day? Who are you working with? What kind of impact are you having? Then work backward to identify steps that move in that direction.
• When considering majors or jobs, ask: “Does this option move me closer to the kind of future I want to create?” even if you know the path may change.
• Explore roles and fields that excite you when you think about their long‑term potential (for example, emerging industries, innovation, sustainability, social impact, or technology) and talk with professionals about where they see their field going.

You enjoy ideas—brainstorming, making connections, and imagining new possibilities. You may be drawn to creative work, innovation, or solving problems in original ways. In exploration, this can help you think broadly about options and design paths that don’t have to be traditional.

Try this:

• Treat your career path as a design challenge: list your interests, skills, and values, then brainstorm as many possible combinations as you can (e.g., “business + environmental issues + creativity”).
• Explore areas where new ideas are valued—such as entrepreneurship, marketing, design, consulting, innovation roles, or research—and talk with people in those fields about how they generate and use ideas.
• When you learn about a role or field, ask: “How would I put my own spin on this?” or “What new ideas could I bring to this space?” and use those insights to guide which options feel most exciting.

You notice what makes each person unique and are curious about individuals’ stories, strengths, and preferences. You tend to resist “one size fits all” thinking. In exploration, this can help you design a path that fits you, rather than simply copying someone else’s path.

Try this:

• Reflect on what makes your combination of interests, experiences, and strengths distinct. Ask: “What do I bring that not everyone else brings?”
• When talking with professionals, pay attention to how different their paths are—use their stories as data points, not templates, and think about what you might borrow or adapt.
• Consider careers where tailoring your approach to individuals is key (for example, advising, coaching, management, consulting, client service, healthcare, teaching) and explore which of those settings you find most interesting.

You enjoy thinking deeply, reflecting, and having meaningful conversations about ideas. You may prefer time to process before making decisions, and you often learn through reflection and dialogue. In exploration, this can help you make thoughtful choices, especially if you build in space to think.

Try this:

• Schedule regular reflection time (even 15–20 minutes a week) to think about what you’re learning from classes, experiences, and conversations about careers.
• After events, internships, or meetings, jot down a few questions: “What did I notice?” “What resonated?” “What didn’t?” Use these reflections to refine your direction.
• Explore careers that allow for depth of thought and analysis—such as research, writing, strategy, policy, or any role that involves tackling complex questions—and talk with people doing that kind of work about how they spend their time.

You are drawn to taking what is already good and making it excellent. You notice quality and are motivated to invest in areas of high potential—your own or others’. In exploration, this can help you focus on opportunities where you can do your best work and refine your strengths, not just “fill gaps.”

Try this:

• Reflect on experiences where you took something from good to great—a project, role, or skill. What kinds of tasks or environments made you want to raise the bar?
• When exploring majors or careers, ask: “Where could I move from ‘competent’ to ‘excellent’ over time?” rather than “What should I fix?”
• Look for roles that value quality, refinement, and optimization (for example, editing, design, coaching, performance improvement, product or process improvement) and ask professionals what “excellence” looks like in their work.

You value close, trusting relationships and often prefer depth over breadth. You may do your best work with people you know well and in environments where you can build long‑term connections. In exploration, this can guide you toward roles and cultures where relationships matter and networking feels more like genuine connection.

Try this:

• When exploring careers, focus on building a few deeper relationships with professionals rather than trying to meet everyone. Follow up with people whose stories resonate with you.
• Reflect on times when strong relationships (with mentors, teammates, supervisors) helped you succeed. What do those experiences suggest about the kind of team or manager you want in the future?
• Consider careers where long‑term relationships are central—such as advising, counseling, account management, mentoring roles, or work with repeat clients—and talk with people in those roles about what those relationships are like.

You are drawn to problems and enjoy figuring out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Challenges tend to engage you rather than scare you away. In exploration, this can guide you toward roles that involve troubleshooting, improvement, or turning situations around.

Try this:

• Think about times when you felt most alive fixing something—a process, a system, a relationship, a project. What kind of problems were you solving, and in what context?
• Explore fields and roles where problem‑solving is central (for example, operations, consulting, IT support, healthcare, process improvement, analytics, troubleshooting roles) and ask professionals what kinds of problems they tackle regularly.
• As you learn about different career paths, ask: “What problems does this role or field try to solve?” and “Which types of problems do I feel most motivated to work on?”

You want your work to matter and to make a visible impact. You are motivated by doing things that feel important and being recognized for meaningful contributions. In exploration, this can guide you toward roles and environments where your efforts have clear outcomes and are valued.

Try this:

• Ask yourself, “Where do I want my work to make a difference?”—for people, communities, issues, or industries—and let those answers shape which paths you research.
• Look back on moments when you felt proud that your work was noticed or made an impact. What were you doing, and who benefited from it?
• Explore careers where contribution and visibility are part of the work—such as leadership tracks, public‑facing roles, advocacy, performance‑based roles, or work on high‑impact projects—and talk with people about how they see their impact.

You enjoy meeting new people and are energized by building connections quickly. You’re often comfortable starting conversations and expanding your social and professional circles. In exploration, this is a major asset for networking and learning about opportunities through people, not just online searches.

Try this:

• Set a goal to talk with new people regularly about their work—class speakers, alumni, employers at events, or professionals you reach out to. Use your ease with conversation to build a broad network.
• When you attend fairs, panels, or mixers, challenge yourself to introduce yourself to several people and ask curious questions about their roles and paths.
• Consider careers where meeting and influencing people is central—such as sales, recruiting, outreach, relationship management, fundraising, or client‑facing roles—and notice which of those settings feel most energizing when you imagine yourself there.