Exploring Students
The Roger Williams University advising team recognizes that ‘career’ is more than your first job after graduation, but a lifelong adventure where you’ll grapple with a changing world, a growing self, and an unpredictable future. On this adventure, a Roger Williams University education will prepare you for many potential paths and career opportunities, and as an exploring student, you are in a unique position to take a deep dive into your interests, values, and skills along the way to finding a path that is a good fit for you. You have a variety of options to discover – take advantage of this time to explore as a young professional!
In the CCPD, we aim to provide you with the skills, tools, and resources you need to be confident on the journey – which is often not linear. In fact, many students venture between various majors, minors, and core concentrations to fit their specific or unique passions and interests.
Advising support at RWU celebrates your willingness to explore what matters to you by facilitating connections that align with what you want to learn more about as a developing professional! For more tips on getting started, click here!
Explore The Possibilities
Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about a field of interest, the What Can I Do With This Major? website can help you connect majors to careers. Learn about career areas, types of employers and strategies that can make you a more marketable candidate. Continue your research through the websites provided.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides occupational information on hundreds of functional areas, including salary data, work environments, education needed, etc. The Field of degree (FOD) pages highlight data and information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau from a variety of academic fields – each FOD page provides a glimpse of workers with the degree and shows occupations, outlook, and more for people in that major.
My Next Move is an interactive tool for students to learn more about career options, including tasks, skills, salary information, and more.
Conduct Outreach
Connect with over 800 RWU Alumni on The Roger Connection, a mentorship and networking platform exclusive to fellow Hawks – review profiles to see sample career paths and reach out to gain knowledge and advice.
Explore LinkedIn‘s database by searching occupations, companies, industry professionals, and alumni to gain a sense of individuals’ career paths and work journeys. Be sure to engage with their posts (through likes and comments) to keep your connection going!
Networking is the practice of building relationships by learning from others that are doing the kind of work you are interested in or by discovering connections between individuals. The networking process allows you to gain valuable knowledge and perspective on career paths and can lead to referrals or tangible opportunities, like jobs and internships. Utilize the Networking Guide as a starting point to conducting outreach and exploring career options.
Center for Student Academic Success (CSAS)
Professional academic advisors in the Advising Office in the Center for Student Academic Success provide holistic developmental advising to all deciding students as well as any student who may be thinking about changing a major. Many students enter college unsure about their future plans and many returning students find themselves wanting to explore other academic areas. Visit CSAS on the second-floor Library commons or email the Advising Office at csas@rwu.edu to set up an appointment. For additional resources on advising for students deciding on a major click HERE.
Make an Appointment with a Career Advisor
Discuss how your interests may align with career opportunities, gain insight into RWU alumni outcomes, build your network and learn about resources to help you explore fields, industries, and in-demand skills. Gain assistance in navigating occupational resources and online databases to help you discover options and make a plan. Visit Handshake to make an appointment today!