Career Planning

Career planning is a valuable strategy to insure a successful transition from your academic preparation to your professional career. Identifying your personal goals and career objectives is an individual process that involves realistic self-appraisal as it applies to your personal and occupational choices.

We are here to help by offering career planning services to determine how your interests and skills translate to a fulfilling career through undergraduate career exploration or graduate school exploration.

Personal action items you should keep in mind as you progress through your undergraduate education:

Freshmen:

Take a few courses across the curriculum. Include familiar subjects as well as some that sound adventurous.
Contact Career Services to explore various career options.
Complete a self-directed search to inventory your skills and interests.
Attend a club or organization meeting in a major that is of interest to you.
Attend a career information day.
Visit with professors, upperclassmen or graduates about their career choices.
Gain work experience through summer employment or volunteer opportunities.

Sophomores:

Begin to narrow your choices for a major.
Identify career values that are important to you.
Participate in a job shadowing or internship program.
Attend a career information day.
Visit with professors, upperclassmen or graduates about their career choices.
Contact Career Services to explore various career options.
Gain work experience through summer employment or volunteer opportunities.

Juniors:

Participate in an internship program.
Research occupations.
Continue membership in campus organizations and clubs - seek leadership roles.
Develop relationships with faculty and area professionals.
Consult with your advisor to insure you are on track for graduation.
Attend a career information day.
If you plan to continue your education after graduation, attend a workshop on preparing for graduate school, complete applications and take graduate entrance examinations.

Seniors:

For education majors, make an appointment with your advisor Develop an action plan for your job search. Identify the geographic location you seek to explore and narrow down the companies and organizations of interest to you. Become familiar with the Internet as a tool to assist you with your job search.
Attend workshops on resume and cover letter development, job search strategies and interviewing.
Attend a career information day.
Educators, attend the National Educator's Expo.
If you plan to continue your education, select a graduate school and apply for graduate assistantships.