Four-Year Plan

Year 1: Awareness

Get to know advisors and faculty in your department. If you are pre-declared, meet with advisors in the Center for Academic Excellence.
Learn the academic system by reviewing the ASU Catalog, class schedules, general education requirements, major requirements and course prerequisites.
Do your best academically. Remember your priorities.
Seek help for difficult courses from the instructors, department/campus tutors and/or the Office of Supplemental Instruction.
Join a club or student organization.
Think about a part-time job or volunteer experience after the first quarter.
Write your résumé and have a Career Development staff member look it over for suggestions.
Explore the resources and services offered by Career Development.
Assess your interests, skills, personality and values. Consider taking a “career test” through Career Development.
Enroll in USTD 1201: Critical Thinking.
Identify four skills employers want and plan how you will acquire those skills.
Attend seminars and job fairs.

Summer
Get a job and/or do volunteer work that will allow you to learn about a career that interests you.

Enroll in USTD 1202: Career Exploration and Planning.
Continue exploring your interests, values, personality and skills.
Learn more about careers and industries of interest by using the Career Development library, conducting informational interviews and attending job fairs.
Identify three career options with your major using the “What Can I Do With This Major?” Web series.
Consider tentative major(s) by reading their descriptions in the ASU Catalog and by talking with faculty and advisors.
Discuss requirements for acceptance into academic programs and opportunities for job shadowing with key faculty.
Enroll in introductory courses in prospective major fields with the help of your advisor and/or a faculty member.
Maintain a strong GPA. It matters!
Work toward leadership positions in clubs, organizations or student government.
Update your résumé and have it reviewed by Career Development.
Develop career-related skills (computer, writing, language, etc.).
Identify paid/unpaid internships by attending job fairs.
Explore study abroad programs.
Plan a summer internship or job to gain experience.

Summer

Choose electives that enhance your qualifications. Consider minor(s).
Continue to maintain a strong GPA.
Seek leadership positions in clubs and organizations, and/or volunteer services.
Develop mentor relationships with people who may serve as future references.
Establish goals for a summer internship focusing on a specialty area in your chosen field.
Update your résumé and create your career profile in Career Development’s career management system, Jobs4Rams.
Secure information interviews and job shadowing experiences with professionals in your field(s) of interest to gain information and build a network of contacts.
Start researching employers for which you may like to work.
Put together an interview outfit and start building your professional wardrobe.
Attend job fairs and graduate school fairs.
Research graduate and professional schools, entrance test requirements and deadlines.
Schedule interviews for internships through Career Development.
Identify internships with companies that do not recruit on campus.
Expand your professional network and inform members of the opportunities you seek.
Refine your interviewing skills in a mock interview with Career Development staff.

Summer

Meet with a career counselor for assistance with your job or graduate school search and to review your résumé, cover letter and/or personal statement.
Update your résumé and reload the new version onto Career Development’s career management system, Jobs4Rams.
Sign up for on-campus interviews.
Target desired industries and determine geographical preference(s).
Research businesses and/or organizations where you might like to work.
Pursue interviews with employers not scheduled to visit campus.
Attend career fairs related to your interests.
Join professional organizations relevant to your chosen career.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with advisors, faculty and mentors. Ask them to be references for you.
Participate in mock interviews with Career Development staff.
Participate in an etiquette dinner.
Complete graduate school applications to meet established deadlines.
Participate in an internship, field experience or clinical experience.
Continue networking, cultivating contacts and talking with professionals in your field(s) of interest.
Send letters of application and inquiry to prospective employers.
Follow up interviews with thank you letters. They really do make a difference.