4 Year Planning Guide
Freshman Year ~ phase one
red bullet
Begin your Career Development Portfolio.
red bullet Take the
CareerLiftOff Career Assessment Test.
red bullet Assess your interests, skills, values, goals, and personality.
red bullet Go to the Office of Service Learning & Career Development and explore majors and careers.
red bullet Set goals for your first year.
red bullet Write a resume.
red bullet Network with professors and students. Concentrate on getting good grades.
red bullet Keep a journal. Label the first section Self-Assessment. Begin to write your autobiography. Label another section Exploring Careers.
red bullet If time permits, get a part-time job.
red bullet Get a summer job to help you explore jobs, gain work experience, learn to get along with others, and earn money.
red bullet Talk with people. Find out what they like and don't like about their jobs. Research careers.
Sophomore Year ~ phase two
red bullet Add to your Career Development Portfolio.
red bullet Start a file about careers and majors.
red bullet Join clubs and take a leadership role.
red bullet Read articles and books about your major area.
red bullet Find a part-time job or volunteer your time.
red bullet Update your resume.
red bullet Explore internships and programs.
red bullet Add a section to your journal called Job Skills and Qualities.
Summer Vacation
red bullet Get a summer job and continue to gain experience, learn skills, develop references, and earn money.
red bullet Keep up your journal and include notes on what it takes to get along with others and how to advance in the workplace.
Junior Year ~ phase three
red bullet
Update and expand your Career Development Portfolio.
red bullet Choose a major and career and gain more job experience.
red bullet Network. Join student organizations and professional organizations.
red bullet Develop relationships with faculty, administrators and other students.
red bullet Obtain an internship or gain additional job experience.
red bullet Update your journal with job tips and articles about your field.
red bullet Update your resume.
red bullet Visit the Office of Service Learning & Career Development for help with your resume, internships and job opportunities.
Summer Vacation
red bullet Get a summer job in your major area, if possible. Develop contacts and references.
Senior Year ~ phase four
red bullet Refine your Career Development Portfolio.
red bullet Put your job search into high gear. Go to the Office of Service Learning & Career Development for advice.
red bullet Read recruitment materials. Schedule interviews with companies.
red bullet Update and polish your resume and print copies. Write drafts of standard cover letters.
red bullet Network.
red bullet Keep a list of contacts and their telephone numbers.
red bullet Join professional organizations and attend conferences.
red bullet Start sending out resumes and attending job fairs.
red bullet Find a mentor to help you with your job search and career planning.
red bullet Log interviews in your journal or notebook.
red bullet Continue your journal with strategies for promotion.
