Suggested Career Planning Timeline

FRESHMAN

• Learn more about yourself. Identify personal interests, values and skills.
• Familiarize yourself with various majors. Talk to faculty and upper-classmen.
• Participate in activities and clubs to explore interests.
• Begin to identify careers that might be compatible with your personality.
• Visit Career Services. Use FOCUS and become familiar with other resources.

SOPHOMORE

• Select a major and develop a tentative curriculum.
• Become aware of general career trends and future employment needs.
• Conduct informational interviews and spend a day shadowing someone in your field of interest.
• Participate in volunteer service related to your career interests.
• Analyze self-assessment and career information collected. Evaluate career alternatives.

JUNIOR

• Learn more about career opportunities related to your major.
• Consider a minor to complement your major.
• Begin to think about options after graduation.
• If considering graduate school, begin researching potential schools.
• Develop your resume.
• Acquire skills in your chosen field through an internship, summer job or other work experience.

SENIOR

• Complete course requirements in major.
• Establish contacts in chosen field.
• Apply to graduate schools and register to take necessary exams.
• Identify and research potential employers.
• Update resume, collect references and establish credential file
• Develop interview skills.
• Develop a professional portfolio.
• Attend job fairs.
• Review job vacancies in Career Services and on the Internet.
• Set up your profile on LinkedIn.