What kind of work am I looking for?

Female Career Educator and female muslim student working in advising meeting

Exploring the kind of work that aligns with your interests, values, and skills is a journey that requires reflection, exploration, and engagement with various resources and communities.

Here's how you can embark on this exploration using the services and programs offered at U of T and beyond.

Job Shadowing
Informational Interviews
Mentorship Programs
Self-Directed Career Exploration

Want to dig a bit deeper? Try these resources:

Imagine three vastly different careers

Activities - (activities for career exploration)

1. Reflect on the Industries You're Interested In

Reflecting on the roles you are interested in within your chosen industry can provide valuable insights into your career path and personal growth.

This process helps you understand the broader context of the industry, identify where you can make the most impact, and recognize potential challenges and opportunities for innovation. By examining the roles that resonate with you, you're better equipped to align your skills and aspirations with the industry's evolving demands.

Try these activities for a deeper exploration:

Rethink an Industry.

2. Reflect on the Roles You're Interested In

One way to explore how suited you might be to a particular job is to identify the kind of roles you would like to play on a day-to-day basis, and how much time you would want to dedicate to those roles.

The activity below allows you to explore how your skills and interests align with a job's responsibilities, ensuring a good fit between your preferences and the demands of the role. It also helps in planning your career progression, focusing on opportunities that not only enhance your strengths but also fit well with your ideal work-life balance.

Roles We Play

Activity: The Roles We Play

1. At work, you might be surprised to find a variety of roles beyond your official title, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth. By actively exploring these roles, you can uncover hidden aspects of your job that align with your interests, values and strengths.

A person wearing multiple hats stacked on their head, with large glasses and a yellow turtleneck, standing against a blue background.

2. One way to explore how suited you might be to a particular job is to identify the roles you would like to play daily and how much time you would want to dedicate to those roles.

Here is a list of roles we play in our day-to-day work life.

You could add your own ideas for roles to the list.
Consider which of you are most interested in and which ones you want to avoid.

Investigator
Problem solver
Counsellor
Artist
Social worker
Researcher
Manager
Leader
Negotiator
Campaigner

Strategist
Mentor
Mediator
Salesperson
Project manager
Financial controller
Writer
Proof-reader
Auditor
Chairperson

Trouble-shooter
Scientist
Teacher
Presenter
Advocate
Motivator
Life coach
Administrator
Organiser
Adviser

Nanny
Inventor
Decision-maker
Risk-analyst
Translator
Promoter
Bearer of bad news
Quality controller
Designer
Entrepreneur

3. Now, think about your ideal job.

Pick 5-6 roles from the list above and draw a pie chart to indicate the mix of different roles you would like to have in that job and the proportion of time you would like to spend in each role.

A sheet of paper with a pie chart is placed on a blue surface, surrounded by crumpled paper balls. A marker is next to the paper.

4. Next, identify a real job you are considering as a possible career option. See if you can create a similar pie chart for that job.

What are the different roles you would have to play in that job?
What proportion of your time would you be in each of those roles?
Are there any 'hidden' roles within it that align with your goals, values, and strengths?

Adapted from the 'Role Combo' activity, originally developed by the Careers Group at the University of London in 2010.

Other ways to keep exploring:

Want to keep thinking about your path? Attend the Know Your Skills workshop or Finding Meaningful Work to identify themes by reflecting on your strengths, interests and values in your past experiences. Build on this exercise by attending events hosted by CxED

3. Test Out Your Job Ideas

Participate in job shadowing programs to gain firsthand experience of what it's like to work in specific roles and industries. UofT Job Shadowing or In the Field allows students to observe professionals on the job, offering a real-world glimpse into various career fields.

Attend networking events and conferences hosted on campus:

Job Shadowing: Short-term opportunities to explore careers by shadowing a community professional.

In the Field: Go on a field trip to an organization and meet professionals from a range of departments.

Industry Spotlights: Network with professionals working in industry-specific careers.

Career fairs: Meet with recruiters, hiring managers and employees from Canada’s top employers and global organizations.

4. Informational Interview

Conduct informational interviews or coffee chats with professionals in fields you're interested in. This strategy allows you to gather insider knowledge about the realities of working in certain professions and to build your network. Prepare by attending networking and informational interviewing workshops offered by Career Exploration & Education, which can provide you with the skills to reach out effectively and make the most of these conversations.

Join the U of T Hub on Ten Thousand Coffees! It is a career networking platform for the whole U of T community. With more than 3,000 alumni professionals across many fields, students and recent graduates like you can seek out career advice anytime and from anywhere. Monthly webinars with alumni deliver learning around best practices in the workplace.

Explore Career Navigator and connect with U of T alumni.

Attend a Networking Workshop. Networking allows you to gather information about your career questions and establish connections with people who share your professional interests. Register on Career & Co-curricular Learning Network

Many colleges and departments offer mentorship programs that match students with mentors in their field of interest. Use the Mentorship Database to find mentorship programs according to your year of study, program and mentorship interests.

Do you need some tips on how to approach an informational interview? Learn more here about informational interviews.

Refer to this resource:

Tips for Informational Interviews as you reach out to contacts

5. Develop Your Career Strategy

Crafting a robust career strategy is essential for anyone aiming to unlock their full professional potential and secure their dream job. It allows you to take control of your career trajectory, transforming aspirations into actionable plans.

You could do this career planning in several ways, from self-assessment to strategic networking and goal setting. Understanding and leveraging your unique strengths and opportunities can significantly influence your career's direction and success.

Try this Career Strategy activity to delve deeper into developing your career strategy and to start shaping your future today.

Activity: Developing a Career Strategy

Searching for more resources to support your job search?

Check out these Career Start links about job search & interviews: