Four year Career Plan

First Year

• Adjust to transition from high school to college

• Focus on making good grades

• 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 & write a cover letter

• 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 havent done so already

• Develop your technology skills

• 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 todays 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?

• Explore graduate schools and programs - online

• Take required exams, ie, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT

• Talk to faculty and career counselor

• Choose top 3-5 schools and request info/applications

• Be aware of APPLICATION DEADLINES!

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)

Graduate School Bound?

• 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

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