Have students explore potential careers in depth by writing an essay on their three top picks, comparing and contrasting them in terms of salary, location and personal fulfillment. If you are teaching a college skills class for freshmen, devote a lecture and class period to showing your students how to construct a compare-and-contrast essay on this topic, including researching and collecting data on the careers they have choose to examine. Have your students present their essays so that you as well as their classmates can ask questions and thus help the presenter look objectively at their conclusions and narrow their choice.
Many colleges offer career placement tests designed to present a series of questions, the purpose of which is to gauge an individual's personal temperament, interest and goals in an attempt to assess what types of careers would be best suited for him. Counselors and instructors who have students who are confused about the direction they are taking should suggest they schedule themselves for one of the tests, since it will help them narrow their focus onto a career.
Set up a program that allows students an insider view of specific careers. Contact local employers and ask them if would be willing to provide students a chance to spend a day beside a member of their staff as they perform their duties. You may also be able to set up longer internships for students who have chosen a specific career path and need hands-on experience in the field.