Career, Major and Vocation Exploration
Finding Purpose in Your Career at Saint Xavier University
At Saint Xavier University, grounded in the Mercy tradition and committed to lives of purpose and service, we believe your career journey should be more than a resume. It should reflect who you are, what you value, and the impact you hope to make.
A career is the work you do, while a vocation is the deeper sense of purpose that guides why you do it. A career can change over time, but a vocation reflects your values, passions, and the kind of impact you want to make. When you align the two, your work becomes more than a job. It becomes a meaningful expression of who you are and how you want to contribute to the world.
Vocation
A vocation is a personal calling to live and work with intention, integrity, and meaning. Vocation applies not only in professional work, but also in your family and friendships, community engagements, relationship with the earth, search for meaning, and pursuit of justice. It's living your life with purpose, directed toward both your personal flourishing and the common good.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Your Profession and Vocation:
- What issues or challenges in the world move me to take action?
- When have I felt most alive, motivated, or proud of my work?
- How does my major help me serve or improve the lives of others?
- What do I want my work to say about me?
- How do I define a "successful" life?
Forage: Career, Major, and Vocation Exploration Support
Saint Xavier University has partnered with Forage to offer students a range of interactive
simulations and short career-focused courses. These experiences are a great way to
strengthen your resume, build practical skills, and learn how to effectively communicate
your experiences to employers.
If you’re interested in standing out to recruiters, consider exploring the courses
below. To get started, access Forage using the link provided, click “Log In,” and
select “Sign in with SSO.” You’ll use your SXU email and credentials to enter. You
can also access these simulations directly through Navigate360 by navigating to “Job
Simulations” under the Applications tab.
Career Explorer
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Explore how you like to work before you commit to a major or career path. You’ll try out four quick, realistic scenarios based on things students actually do, like campus jobs, student org projects, and internships. It’s not a quiz or test. It’s a chance to try things on, see what feels natural, and start thinking more clearly about where you might fit. |
Career Readiness Presented by National Urban League
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During this program, you’ll learn how to define your story to present to industry professionals and explore career options that align with your goals. We hope this program provides a great resource for you to up-skill and strengthen your resume. A risk-free way to experience work on the job. Practice your skills with example tasks and build your confidence to ace your applications. |
Forage Job Simulations
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Find the right job simulation or short course to build in-demand skills and stand out to recruiters. It’s also a smart way to explore different industries, understand what employers expect, and test your interests before committing to—or confirming—your major. |
TED Talks for Thoughtful Moments
Have a minute? Here is an inspiring list to get your ideas going!
Exploratory Resources
Explore your skills, interests, and values through these assessments:
- Major Explorer in Navigate360: Use the major explorer tool and assessment built right into Navigate to help you learn more your personality type and how it fits within particular majors.
- CliftonStrengths: Identify your strengths and connect these to a possible major or career. There is
a fee associated with this assessment.
- Holland Code (Interest Profiler): Determine your top three occupational themes and explore occupations within six categories.
- 16 Personalities: Learn how your personality and other qualities connect to majors and careers.
- Ikigai: Find your Ikigai (reason for being) be reflecting on the following questions: 1) What do you love?, 2) What does the world need?, 3) What are you good at?, and 4) What can you get paid for?
Explore career and vocational options using these resources:
What Can I Do With This Major? is a website featuring 106 major profiles with information on common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities. Links to professional associations, occupational outlook information, and job search resources are included.
The Four-Year SUCCESS Plan outlines academic and career development initiatives that students can complete while in school to make themselves stand out to peers both on their resume and in interviews.
O*NET (Occupational Information Network) is a free online database that can be used to explore information about careers, industry, and positions including the skills and knowledge needed as well as job outlook.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics details information about specific careers and industries including salary information.
Job Shadow contains information and videos which allow individuals to shadow professionals in a variety of career pathways.
The Illinois Career Information System is an internet site that provides individuals with tools for career planning. There are several components to this free site including career assessments as well as information regarding occupations, employment, education and training. User ID = Illinois | Password = careers
My Next Move is an exploratory tool for students to learn about potential careers and industries. Undecided students might find this tool helpful when narrowing down a major.
Students can explore and complete free job simulations through Navigate360's Forage. Job simulations help you refine your major and career choices. In addition to helping you refine your options, students who complete a simulation will receive a certificate of completion.
Mentorship
Mentorship is one of the best ways to explore your career or vocation and gain valuable guidance. Saint Xavier University offers mentoring opportunities through athletic coaches, academic advisors, career advisors, faculty mentors, and SXU alumni. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these connections for support, insight, and networking. To connect with alumni or learn more about mentorship opportunities, contact the Career Development Center at careerdevelopmentFREESXU.
Saint Xavier University proudly partners with various external organizations to connect students with exploratory resources and mentors:
- America Needs You: America Needs You is a nonprofit organization that prepares first generation college students for successful careers through intensive career readiness training, one on one coaching, internships, and strong peer and alumni networks.
- CareerSpring: CareerSpring is a national nonprofit that connects first generation and low income college students with volunteer mentors from top companies. The program focuses on career exploration, professional skill building, and expanding students' professional networks to support long term career success. Students can request access through CareerSpring's website.
- Step Up: Step Up is a mentorship nonprofit providing the structure for girls (and those who identify with girlhood) to define their ideal destination and get there -- wherever that destination may be.
Additional Help
For more information about major and career exploration, please refer to the Career Readiness Guide. You can also schedule an appointment with a career advisor through Navigate to help you navigate various career pathways, choose a major, or change your major.