Although graduation may seem far away, alumni will tell you that it arrives quickly. Many students delay career development until very late in their collegiate life, adding additional pressure to an already full schedule. With strategic active planning over four years, your stress will be greatly reduced as graduation approaches, giving you the confidence and professional tools to transition to your first experience after college.
- First year and Sophomore Career Action Plan
- Junior Career Action Plan
- Senior Career Action Plan
- Alumni Career Action Plan
First-Year: Exploration
Get to know yourself—your values, skills, & interests
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the process of choosing a major
- Explore student resources both online and with Career Services staff
- Consider enrolling in the Career Exploration class (DCS 210) during spring semester
- Participate and take an active role within a campus group to develop leadership, organizational, and communication skills
- Your GPA will likely be a factor in securing internships and full-time jobs—develop good study habits now
- Explore part-time and work-study job options
- Schedule one or more internships starting after your sophomore year
- Get to know your professors outside of class
Sophomore Year: Examination
Gather information about career options
- Participate in career development workshops, including résumé writing and interviewing
- Create a résumé and cover letter; have them reviewed by Career Services staff
- Develop universal career-related skills (computer, accounting, writing, second language, etc.)
- Conduct research and solicit information from professors, juniors and seniors, and other professionals to finalize your decision on a major
- Explore career interests through informational interviewing, job shadowing, or volunteer work
- Use the GC job & internship bank to research summer jobs and internship opportunities that test your major and career choices
- Complete your first internship this summer or next fall
Junior Year: Experience
Gain experience via internships, job shadowing, & volunteering
- Check your academic coursework and major requirements with your advisor
- Update your résumé, have it reviewed by Career Services staff
- Talk to professionals in your field to find out about their careers and to research your personal career interests
- Gather examples of work for your professional portfolio
- Maintain a strong GPA
- Seek positions of leadership in campus organizations and/or voluntary service
- If graduate/professional school is in your immediate future, research schools and financial aid and prepare for admission exams
- Complete your second internship this summer or next academic year
Senior Year: Employment & Education
Network in your chosen field to gain information & employment leads
- Ensure that your résumé and cover letter are tailored for a professional job search by talking with Career Services staff
- Research employers and job opportunities; use your network and contacts to acquire interviews and job leads
- Create a professional networking profile on LinkedIn.com (Learn more about networking online)
- Visit the GC job bank for job openings
- If graduate school is in your immediate future, take graduate admission tests during the fall and complete applications to meet deadlines
- Participate in a Super Tuesday practice interview to improve your interviewing skills
- Attend area career fairs
- Ask professors and supervisors to act as references
- Consider a post-graduation internship to gain further skills and a potential job