Welcome to Harvard College!
As you begin your time at Harvard, you are embarking on an exciting journey of intellectual discovery, personal growth, and the exploration of future possibilities. At the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS), we are here to support you every step of the way as you begin to consider your professional goals and interests.
It’s never too early to begin thinking about your career, whether you have a clear sense of direction or are just beginning to explore. Your first year is an ideal time to reflect on your interests, identify your strengths, and explore a wide range of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
We encourage you to invest time in learning more about yourself to gain insights into your skills, values, and interests to help make informed and authentic career decisions. While every student’s path is unique, career exploration often involves several interconnected stages:
The Career Exploration Process:
- Learn About Yourself
- Discover Career Paths
- Build Skills & Gain Experience
- Reflect & Adapt
This process is not linear—you may revisit various stages at different times, depending on your goals and experiences.
Some students arrive at Harvard with a strong sense of direction and stick with it. Others may start with a strong direction but then pivot. And many more arrive at Harvard open to many possible pathways and discover their passions along the way. Wherever you are in your journey, engaging in each of these steps will help you better understand your aspirations and make thoughtful decisions about your future.
Strategies for Career Exploration in Your First Year:
- Explore Academically: Enroll in a range of courses across the Harvard Core Curriculum to discover what excites you.
- Get Involved with a Student Organization: Attend meetings for different student organizations and clubs to find communities that align with your interests.
- Engage on Campus: Participate in events hosted by various Harvard offices. Many are designed to help you explore new ideas and connect with peers.
- MCS Programs: Attend career fairs, industry-specific workshops, and employer information sessions to begin learning about potential career fields and recruiting timelines.
MCS Resources to Support Your Exploration:
- Career Discovery Digital Challenge Cards – Card sort activity to help identify challenges that interest you
- StrengthsProfile – Assessment to help discover your key strengths
- Career Pathways Pages – Explore industries and potential career trajectories
- Firsthand Vault Guides – In-depth guides on professions, industries, and companies
Additional Career Exploration Tools:
We look forward to working with you as you explore your path at Harvard and beyond! Come to drop-ins and schedule an appointment with an advisor.
