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Four-Year Career Planning Guide

A four-year planning guide is a great way to assist you in organizing your college years and in choosing those strategies that will benefit you most in accomplishing your career goals.

Freshman Year- Becoming aware of yourself and your resources

Tasks:

1. Focus on the journey and not the destination.
2. It's more important at this stage to learn about broad career areas than it is to try to match your interests to occupational titles.
3. Utilize one of the self-assessment tools to identify/clarify interests, strengths, work values, personality traits, etc.
4. Meet with a career consultant to discuss options and to develop an action plan.
5. Explore majors and career choices and learn how majors and careers are connected.
6. Consider joining the F.Y.R.S.T. Explore Program, involving yourself in campus clubs, and participating in community activities to gain experiential learning.
7. Attend workshops on resume writing and interviewing skills in preparation for possible summer opportunities.

Sophomore Year- Exploration of Majors and Careers

Tasks:

1. Explore different majors and careers related to interests identified.
2. Finalize selection of major. (Seek help at Career Services if still undecided)
3. Become familiar with career resources on campus and take advantage of the Career Library to read about job descriptions and related skills and abilities.
4. Explore participating in an internship, co-op, or other experiential opportunity.

Junior Year- Solidify Major and Career Choice

Tasks:

1. Actively develop your leadership skills by joining a university club or by getting involved in community volunteer projects related to your major.
2. Use the Career Library, Panther JOBlink, and internet sites to research companies and institutions (if planning to attend graduate/professional school.)
3. Schedule informational interviews with key people in your career field.
4. Refine job-hunting skills such as resume writing, interview skills, job fairs, etc.

Senior Year- Plans Beyond Graduation

Tasks:

1. Finalize graduate school entrance requirements, application process, and financial aid sources.
2. Participate in On-Campus Interviews through Career Services.
3. Attend Career Fairs, company information sessions, and networking/job-hunting activities.
4. Develop a list of additional companies not interviewing at Career Services and send resumes.
5. Participate in workshops dealing with business etiquette, dress for success, and others.
6. Match your job offers to your needs, values, and interests.