Begin your college career by creating your personal career plan. Review the checklist to determine what items you need to complete during each year of your college experience. Each opportunity you choose will allow you to build your experience and strengthen your resume for the job search.
Freshman
Ready
Checklist of Goals
Orient yourself to college life:
Academic support & student program building locations
Make study commitments
Get involved now!
Keep your options open while exploring the academic world through electives and considering possible future internships
Make an appointment to meet with a Career Coach to discuss:
Get Involved!
Create a “living” resume or translate your high school resume to a college one:
Visit our résumé website for résumé writing tips and tools
Attend Career Fair to:
Start creating your professional network
Learn about occupations and employers in your fields of interest
Sophomore
Explore
Checklist of Goals
Schedule a meeting with a Career Coach to discuss:
Your major and experiential education opportunities
Talk with faculty and professionals in your field(s) of interest:
Enhance your network & knowledge
Determine if additional education will be required
“Reality-Test” your career options:
Build onto your resume:
Visit our résumé website for tips & resources
Meet with a Career Coach for suggestions for improvement
Attend Career Fairs to:
Build your network
Learn about occupations & employers in your field of interest; think “internships”
Find out what skill set employers are seeking
Get serious about your social media:
Junior
Apply
Checklist of Goals
Reassess your career goals, develop your plan B option and monitor your academic progress
Gain valuable experience:
Seek leadership positions in student organizations to develop marketable skills
Establish goals for a summer &/or fall internship that focuses on a specific area in your field
Utilize Career Development :
Resume critiques
Mock interviews
On-campus interviews
Networking
Research graduate or professional schools :
Admission test(s)
Determine your references
Note application deadlines
Continue to update your resume & fine-tune your job search skills:
Attend Career Fairs to:
Expand your professional network
Market yourself
Narrow down prospective companies for employment
Senior
Launch
Checklist of Goals
Shift job search into high gear:
Narrow your choices of graduate or professional schools :
Take admission test(s)
Request recommendation letters
Apply for scholarships
Complete applications
Attend Career Fairs to:
Identify & target employment opportunities
Get “the scoop” on their interview & hiring process(es)
Refine your job search skills
Polish your professional image:
Update your resume & start applying for jobs
Purchase professional attire
Clean up your social media accounts
Harness the power of networking:
Information sessions
Join professional organizations (student rates are cheaper.)
Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook)
Faculty, family & friends
Miscellaneous:
Continue to obtain relevant experience
Participate in an Etiquette Dinner
Complete the First Destination Survey
Download a copy of the Four-Year Career Plan
Career Exploration
Contact Us
Would you like to meet one-on-one with a career counselor? Contact Career Development and schedule an appointment.
