Career Planning Timeline

First-Year

First Semester

• Meet with career adviser to learn about services available at/through the career center.
• Take a “career test” to:
  • Discover your interests, abilities, values, personality type through assessments and research; and
  • Explore college majors and potential career paths.
• Review undergraduate catalog for course descriptions and requirements of possible majors.
• Talk with people in each major area in which you have an interest: professors, advisers, and so on.
• Meet with your adviser to learn about a wide variety of courses that might help determine areas of interest.
• Dedicate yourself to doing well academically—go to class and participate, develop good study skills, and take advantage of campus resources that can help you.

Second Semester

• Expand career horizons through informal conversations—talk with family members, friends, and acquaintances. Network with professionals in fields that interest you.
• Research career fields in the career center library and online
• Attend employment and internship fair and other events.
• Get involved with on- and off-campus organizations to develop “transferable” skills. Explore various ways of honing these skills.
• Begin developing a resume to update each year.
• Consider a summer internship to begin acquiring work experience in an area of interest. Use career center internship postings as a place to start looking.
• Obtain a part-time job or do some volunteering if you’re not interning over the summer.

Sophomore Year

First Semester

• Use online and other career planning resources to continue exploration of self, majors and careers.
• Attend employment and internship fair and other events.
• Identify and research occupations related to possible majors through online assessments and other resources.
• Choose your college major—study what you love!
• Enroll in career class. See a career advisor for details.
• Keep your grades up. Need help with studying? The Center for Academic Achievement can help!
• Expand your knowledge of career opportunities:
  • Read about careers (career center library, online). There are many online resources available.
  • Talk with professionals in interesting careers—informational interviews—and get tips about how to conduct them.
  • Spend a typical day on the job with a few professionals in different careers (job shadowing).
  • Meet with faculty, career adviser and academic adviser.

Second Semester

• Attend employment and internship fair and other events.
• Research organizations and companies that offer internships—find one related to your career interests.
• Update your resume and cover letter for your summer internship/part-time job search. Review sample resumes and cover letters.
• Build your networking contacts for references (professors, advisors, and supervisors). Read tips about securing references. Review sample reference sheets.
• Take on leadership roles in on/off campus activities. Develop transferable skills.
• Secure a summer internship.

Junior Year

First Semester

• Meet with a career adviser to develop a specific plan of action outlining post-graduation plans. Review and adjust academic plan to prepare for career choices.
• Explore two or three promising career alternatives in depth through various resources, including web sites and job profiles, and by attending the employment and internship fair and other recruiting events. Narrow career choices and make tentative career decisions.
• Continue informational interviews.
• Research potential employers and positions; become familiar with work settings and job descriptions.

Second Semester

• Attend employment and internship fair and other recruiting events.
• Have a distribution-ready resume for internship/part-time job, and prepare for job search after graduation.
• Practice writing cover letters. You can also find writing tips and samples on the career center’s Web site.
• Schedule at least one mock interview with a career adviser.
• Study abroad! This can broaden your cultural perspective.
• Take another summer internship or obtain a part-time job.
• Thinking about graduate school? Talk to faculty members and career advisers to get their ideas.

Summer

• Research schools for graduate programs using various online resources. Also, research funding options for graduate school.
• Find out about deadlines for applications.
• Find out which standardized tests are required for admission.
• Get to know your professors so they can provide a reference.

Senior Year

First Semester

• Make full use of the career center’s resources.
• Attend employment and internship fair and other events.
• Continue to network!
• Develop multiple avenues for job searching.
• Schedule a mock interview—practice to develop effective interviewing skills.
• Finalize your resume and work on cover letters.
• Attend employer information sessions.

Second Semester

• Attend employment and internship fair and other events.
• Research employers before interviews!
• Have references ready to go.
• Interview for jobs! Call the career center to schedule a mock interview.
• Narrow your graduate school choices.
• Complete entrance exams.
• Complete graduate school application materials.

Summer

• Register with alumni services and stay connected with your school.

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers Journal