Explore Careers
Explore Careers
Your major can open the door to more career opportunities than you might expect. Taking time to explore career options helps you better understand how your interests, skills, and experiences connect to a wide range of professions. By researching possibilities early, you can make informed choices about coursework, internships, student involvement, and professional development that will help you build a meaningful and rewarding
Discover
Different types of experiences can help you learn more about your interests. You can even use these experiences to get a glimpse of what post-graduation opportunities could look like.
Engage 1:1 or in a group setting to hear alumni share their experiences and career journeys — alumni can be helpful advocates and mentors as you explore your options. Schedule an informational interview with an alum to learn more about their career journey and future possibilities.
Learn what a day in the field is like by witnessing a professional in action. Job shadowing is usually a one-day experience. Observations, particularly for health professions, are similar to job shadowing but can extend for longer durations of time.
Visit an employer on-site to learn about the organization’s mission, culture, people, and opportunities. The Career Center hosts treks each semester, sometimes in partnership with School of Education classes. Career treks can either help students explore various career pathways within a particular field or provide a deeper-dive into a specific field or pathway of interest.
Connect with employers and alumni in the field to explore career opportunities, internships, and jobs. Event formats vary in size and structure. Share who you are, what your interests are, and learn about opportunities available. Bring your resume to engage in a dialogue with the professional that will hopefully open the door to continued conversation.
Observe a teacher in a classroom setting to learn more about the day in a life of a K-12 educator.
For students who want to work internationally or develop a global network, it can be a great asset to gain experience in this area. The School of Education and our Global Engagement Office provide students with opportunities to study, travel, and gain experience in other countries to enhance their global perspective.
For students who want to connect with and learn from each other, joining a student organization can be a great asset. There are many student organizations affiliated with the School of Education and UW-Madison that provide students with opportunities to study, learn, and create community with one another to enhance their personal and professional experiences.
Internship in Arts, Health, or Education (EDPOL 203)
Want to get credit for your internship or work experience? ED POL 203 provides the opportunity to reflect and critically analyze workplace experience in the field of education, arts, and/or health.
Credits: 1.00 – 3.00 (This is a variable credit course. The number of credits depends upon the number of hours worked at your internship. A minimum of 50 work hours per credit hour is required)
How to Enroll
- Be in a School of Education program (major or certificate)
- Secure a semester-length (50 hour minimum) workplace experience in arts, health, or education. The experience must be in a field where skills gained can transfer to their future field career goals. Experiences include but are not limited to:
- Internships, part-time positions, research experience, assistantships, apprenticeships, clinical experience, etc.
- Complete the Employment Confirmation Form to gain authorization to enroll in the course
TheUW School of Education Career Center is available to help you identify and secure work experiences
Stepping Into Your Future (CP 110)
This 1-credit seminar explores career development theory and assists with career preparation through an exploration of values, skills, and job search insights. As part of the course you will take a skills assessment, talk to professionals in your field, practice interviewing, and create job application materials (resume and cover letter) that you can actually use in a future job search!
This course may be right for you if you…
- Want to explore fields of interest
- Are curious about finding your best career fit
- Desire to learn more about resumes, interviewing, and job search tips
- Need one more credit to round out your schedule!
This course runs in the SPRING ONLY. Click here to enroll when available.
Investigate
Learn through informal conversations.
Reach out to a contact or friend who works in a career path of interest, and ask to have an informal conversation about their experiences. They can provide insight into what it’s like working in that field day-to-day, as well as trends, challenges, and even potential leads for an internship or job.
Take a Tour
Some employers provide tours to prospective employees, or you might consider a “job shadow” where you pair with a professional in the field to observe them in their day-to-day work. The Career Center also coordinates career treks bringing a group of students to a particular site.
Make Connections
Don’t know anyone in your field(s)? Don’t worry. Try these resources:
- Make an appointment with a career advisor to discuss networking opportunities.
- Join the LinkedIn Wisconsin alumni group.
- Join the Career Center’s ConnectED: Arts, Health, & Education LinkedIn group.
Career Pathways to Explore
Arts
Building experience in the art world starts with exploring internships, residencies, freelance projects, and exhibition opportunities. Networking with artists and performers, and joining professional organizations can connect you with valuable opportunities. Seeking mentorship and community engagement can also open doors to hands-on experience and career growth.
Health
In fields like kinesiology, rehabilitation psychology, and health promotion/health equity, networking is vital. Building connections with colleagues, mentors, and industry experts can open doors to career opportunities, research collaborations, and practical insights. Professional organizations provide access to job boards, conferences, and workshops tailored to your field.
Education
The Career Center offers specialized resources to support future education professionals in building impactful careers. Whether you’re preparing for classroom teaching, shaping education policy, or leading community-based advocacy, we are here to help you navigate every step. Check out our exclusive resources to explore diverse pathways across the education sector and master your job search.
Experience
Understand your chosen career pathway’s current and future prospects. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net both use economic data to make career projections and estimate the growth or decline of professions over a 10-year period. While stability and longevity can be an important aspect in determining a career, economic shifts can change the outlook of a profession. It is also important to keep your values and interests in mind.
Career Courses
The School of Education Career Center offers courses to help you explore careers and gain experience. These courses provide an opportunity for self-reflection, networking, and exploration with the guidance of an instructor.
If you have any questions about the courses, please contact Michael Rutkowski at michael.rutkowski@wisc.edu.
As a new student in the School of Education, you’ll have access to a supportive, small class that serves as a launching pad to your student experience. Begin your journey with one of the following courses:
- The Wisconsin Experience Seminar (CP125)
- First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)
- Discipline-Specific First-Year Courses
More information can be found here.
Stepping Into Your Future (CP 110)
This 1-credit seminar explores career development theory and assists with career preparation through an exploration of values, skills, and job search insights. As part of the course you will take a skills assessment, talk to professionals in your field, practice interviewing, and create job application materials (resume and cover letter) that you can actually use in a future job search!
This course may be right for you if you…
- Want to explore fields of interest
- Are curious about finding your best career fit
- Desire to learn more about resumes, interviewing, and job search tips
- Need one more credit to round out your schedule!
This course runs in the SPRING ONLY. Click here to enroll when available.
Internship in Arts, Health, or Education (EDPOL 203)
Want to get credit for your internship or work experience? ED POL 203 provides the opportunity to reflect and critically analyze workplace experience in the field of education, arts, and/or health.
Credits: 1.00 – 3.00 (This is a variable credit course. The number of credits depends upon the number of hours worked at your internship. A minimum of 50 work hours per credit hour is required)
How to Enroll
- Be in a School of Education program (major or certificate)
- Secure a semester-length (50 hour minimum) workplace experience in arts, health, or education. The experience must be in a field where skills gained can transfer to their future field career goals. Experiences include but are not limited to:
- Internships • Part-time Positions • Research Experience
- Assistantships • Apprenticeships • Clinical Experience
- Complete the Employment Confirmation Form to gain authorization to enroll in the course
The UW School of Education Career Center is available to help you identify and secure work experiences