Exploring Careers Made Easy: Digital Tools to Find Your Path
June 23, 2025
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
It’s a question we hear from childhood, often met with familiar answers—doctor, teacher,
lawyer. But career possibilities go far beyond these traditional paths. Many people
don’t fully realize the vast range of options available until they’re well into their
education or even after starting a career.
At the LSU Olinde Career Center, we help students explore their options using powerful career research tools like O*Net Online, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), and LinkedIn. Whether you’re set on a specific career path or still figuring it out, these resources can help you make informed decisions.
Two Common Career Paths in College
Most students fall into one of two categories when it comes to career planning:
- The Goal-Driven Student – You know exactly what you want to do and just need the right degree to get there.
- The Passion-Driven Student – You focus on studying what interests you and plan to figure out career options later.
No matter which path you’re on, these tools can expand your knowledge and help you connect your education to the real world.
Researching Careers with O*Net Online and the OOH.
Think of O*Net Online and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) as two different lenses for career exploration:
🔎 OOH = Magnifying Glass: A broad overview of careers, including salary, job outlook, required education,
and general responsibilities.
🔬 O*Net Online = Microscope: A detailed look into job tasks, daily responsibilities, work environments, and skill
requirements.
Using both together gives you a full picture—helping you align your perception of a job with its reality.
What If You Can’t Shadow a Professional?
Job shadowing is a great way to experience a career firsthand, but it’s not always an option. That’s where O*Net and the OOH step in, offering in-depth insights into multiple career paths. If you’re comparing jobs but aren’t sure which is the right fit, these tools can help you evaluate how different roles align with your values, interests, and skills.
Bringing Careers to Life with LinkedIn
Once you’ve researched careers, seeing real people in those roles makes the journey feel more tangible. LinkedIn allows students to:
- Find professionals in their fields of interest, including LSU alumni and industry leaders.
- Join career-related groups to connect with professionals, access discussions, and explore job-specific resources.
- See career paths in action, making abstract job titles more relatable and achievable.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Your Career Alone
Figuring out what you want to do doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With tools like O*Net Online, the OOH, and LinkedIn, you can explore, research, and connect with careers that align with your interests. Whether you already have a shortlist of potential careers or are just starting your search, these resources are invaluable guides.
Of course, the world still needs doctors, teachers, and lawyers—but it also needs innovators, creatives, analysts, engineers, entrepreneurs, and countless other professionals. Your ideal career is out there—you just have to discover it.
About the LSU Career Center
Our team is committed to ensuring every student has ample opportunities to gain experience, grow their network, and communicate their aptitude for a chosen career long before graduation. We believe LSU students are unparalleled in their potential to step into leadership, solve problems, and elevate the workforce for the benefit of all.