Career Development Process

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Four-Year Career Development PLan

 

The following checklist guides students through the career development process as a means to prepare for life after college.  Note that each stage is a foundation for the next.  Tasks identified in an earlier stage should be continued in the subsequent stages. 

1. Freshmen (Career Exploration)

  • Talk with Academic Advisor to learn how to link course selections with career interests.
  • Select part-time, summer and work study jobs that improve professionalism.
  • Take personality profile, aptitude tests and interest inventories.
  • Volunteer or join student, professional and community organizations to enhance leadership, explore interests, and expand knowledge.
  • Read career development and job search related books (i.e.: "Do What You Are" by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron or "What Color is My Parachute" by Richard Nelson Bolles).
  • Conduct informational interviews in areas of career interest.
  • Review want ads in newspapers and online to identify tasks and jobs of interest.

2. Sophomore (Career Identification)

  • Talk with faculty and staff about areas of career interest.
  • Attend career development workshops (i.e.: resume writing, cover letter writing, internship opportunities).
  • Take career course.
  • Create and maintain a list of accomplishments.
  • Begin to develop a portfolio of projects to demonstrate skills and abilities.
  • Begin crafting your resume.

3. Junior (Organize Your Search)

  • Solidify your career goal.  See tracks below.
  • Search and apply for internship opportunities.

Work Track

  • Attend professional conferences.
  • Attend job and career fairs to learn more about industry of interest and build network contacts.
  • Build your network of contacts through teachers, supervisors and professionals met at conferences and fairs.
  • Refine job search skills (i.e.: networking, resume writing, cover letter writing, writing thank you letters, interviewing skills).
  • Budget and save for professional attire.

GraduateSchoolTrack

  • Talk with faculty members and staff about advanced degree options.
  • Research graduate schools.
  • Register for courses that will help increase success in graduate school (i.e.: statistics, research methods, technical writing)
  • Create criteria by which to select a graduate program (i.e. geography, reputation, program of study).
  • Study for and practice taking GRE, LSAT, etc.

Service Track

  • Volunteer!
  • Research and identify organizations such as Peace Corp, AmeriCorps and City Year.
  • Develop skills such as understanding cultures, second language, etc.

4. Senior (Execute Your Search)

  • Make a graduation evaluation appointment with your Academic Advisor in the Crouse Center for Student Success.

Work Track

  • Finalize resume.
  • Create a cover and thank you letter skeleton.
  • Post resume with university.
  • Purchase appropriate business attire.
  • Identify preferred work environment.
  • Research prospective employers.
  • Practice interviewing skills.  Also practice handshake and be familiar with other etiquette manners.
  • Attend job fairs and interview days to pursue specific job opportunities.
  • Use network to find job opportunities.
  • Share leads with other job seekers.
  • Send thank you notes after each interview.
  • Prepare for negotiation (i.e.: research salary requirements, outline benefits that are important to you, determine what you have to offer).

 

GraduateSchoolTrack

  • Take GRE, general and possibly subject exams (no later than November)
  • Identify graduate programs (early Fall).
  • Assemble and complete application materials (i.e.: statement of purpose, letters of recommendation).

 

Service Track

  • Finalize resume.
  • Create a cover and thank you letter.
  • Practice interviewing skills.  Will want to get to know you as a person.
  • Send thank you note after each interview.

 

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