Whether you are headed to Graduate School, or straight into the workforce, take the time to map a plan!  Use the step by step plan below to help keep you on track.  Have questions about what your personal plan should look like?  Set up a meeting with one of our Career Specialists!

Four Year Career Plan

First Year

• Adjust to transition from high school to college
• Focus on maintaining a high GPA
• Get involved in campus activities & clubs
• Connect with a Career Specialist to talk about self assessment tools & career options
• Evaluate and make a list of interests, skills & values
• Identify academic programs that relate to your interests, abilities & values, if undecided
• Create a foundational resume that you will build on each year
• Get involved in a service experience
• Begin to collect material for a personal Portfolio
• Attend Career Center events
• Plan early for summer employment

Sophomore Year

• Meet with your Career Specialist each semester
• Update your resume
• Attend career related events sponsored by the Career Center or individual departments
• Continue to add material to portfolio
• Test career options through volunteer work, job shadowing experiences & part time work
• Declare a major, if you haven’t done so already
• Seek leadership positions both on AND off campus
• Gain related experience
• Participate in study abroad
• Explore internship opportunities in relevant career field
• Seek career related summer work

Junior Year

• Meet with your Career Specialist each semester
• Explore the Career Center website & career resources in the Career Center
• Do an internship! It is essential in today’s job market
• Begin to put together your portfolio
• Update your resume & cover letter
• Continue involvement in volunteer/community service activities
• Do a mock interview
• Attend career events & job fairs
• Network! Network! Network!

Graduate School Bound?

• Prior to Senior Year
• • Explore graduate schools and programs
  • Take required exams, i.e., GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT
  • Talk to faculty and career counselor
  • Choose top 3-5 schools and request info/applications
  • Be aware of APPLICATION DEADLINES!
• During Senior Year
  • Write graduate school essays and have Career Planning and the Writing Center proofread!
  • Complete graduate school applications 
  • Assemble all materials and submit at least two weeks BEFORE deadline

Senior Year

• Set up an appointment with your Career Specialist for assistance with resumes, job search strategies, interviewing skills, and graduate/professional schools
• Update and fine tune resumes and cover letters
• Do an internship - many result in job offers
• Compile portfolio; copy relevant sections for use in interviews
• Attend career events and all applicable job fairs
• Network! Network! Network! Network!
• Set up your credentials on interfolio.com
• Request letters of recommendation from professionals in your field (professors, employers, internship supervisors, advisors)