Four-Year Career Plan

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.

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:
- Major/Minor
- Career goals
- Exploring/researching career opportunities
Get Involved!
- Join a student organization or activity of interest
- Obtain a part-time job
- Volunteer for a service project
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

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:
- Internships/externships
- Job shadow
- Volunteer
- Part-time employment
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:
- Google yourself
- Tighten up your social media
- Create a LinkedIn account

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 the Center for Career and Professional Success:
- 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:
- Visit our résumé website for tips and tools
Attend Career Fairs to:
- Expand your professional network
- Market yourself
- Narrow down prospective companies for employment

Launch

Checklist of Goals

Shift job search into high gear:
- Handshake Website
- Professional Networking
- Faculty/Advisor Mentors
- Job Search Websites
- Utilize the Center for Career and Professional Success fully
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

Resources

Download a copy of the Four-Year Career Plan

To University and Beyond: Launch Your Career in High Gear
A step-by-step guide to using your educational years to put you in the right position to accelerate your career, optimize your time, and build valuable and rewarding relationships.