Career and Leadership Development

Career Planning Guide for Parents

Career Timeline

Freshman Year

    checkmark See a Career Counselor or participate in a Career Planning Group to understand yourself and your:

    • Skills - what you're good at
    • Interests - what you enjoy doing
    • Personality - what matches you and brings out your best
    • Values - what's important to you
    • Goals - what your plans are for the future
    • Come up with a list of occupations that match you

    checkmark Begin researching occupations of interest

    • Read about occupations that are of interest to you

    checkmark Get to know your professors

    • Your professors are tremendous resources

    checkmark Assess your study skills and get help if you need it

    • If you are having any problems in a class, ask for help from your professor. If you need more assistance, go to the Tutorial Center and ask for a tutor.

    checkmark Aim for a 3.0 or higher GPA

    checkmark Get involved in campus activities. Meet new people and develop your skills

    • Join an organization, take a job on campus, volunteer for a community service project, or get involved in activities in your residence hall

    checkmark Look for a summer job or volunteer in a career area that interests you

Sophomore Year

    checkmark Continue with self-exploration and self-knowledge through career counseling

    • Individually or in a group, this helps to narrow your options

    checkmark Continue researching careers

    • Continue to read about occupations that interest you
    • Use computer guidance systems and the Richard L. Bailey Career Resource Center in Career Services and on this website to research and match yourself to occupations
    • Field Survey: Conduct informational interviews with at least three people in each of the occupations in which you are interested. This should help to reinforce your ideal career choice.

    checkmark Research and apply early for summer jobs or volunteer opportunities to find something in one of your areas of interest

    checkmark Start researching internships at Career Services and within your major and minor departments

    checkmark Get to know your professors

    checkmark Assess your study skills and get help if you need it

    • If you are having any problems in a class, ask for help from your professor. Your professors are great resources for you. If you need more assistance, go to the Tutorial Center and ask for a tutor.

    checkmark Aim for a 3.0 or higher GPA. Higher if planning to attend graduate school

    checkmark Continue being involved in student organizations and seek to increase your responsibilities within these organizations

    • Participate in leadership training, such as the Evolving Leaders Seminar

Junior Year

    checkmark Complete career research and narrow your options to your 3 ideal career areas.

    • Plan A
    • Plan B
    • Plan C

    checkmark Research graduate schools and their requirements for admission if graduate school is your next step

    • Find out about required entrance exams and take them at the appropriate time

    checkmark Begin to research employers related to your ideal career areas

    • Contact staff in Career Services to assist with this process

    checkmark Aim for 3.0 or higher GPA, especially if going to graduate school

    checkmark Increase responsibilities in your co-curricular involvements and become an officer of a campus organization

    checkmark Sign up for a career class in your college:

    • Career Information in Arts & Communication and Letters & Sciences
    • Career Information for Business & Economics
    • Employment Strategies (Education)
    • Where you will learn:
      • Resume writing and important application correspondence
      • Creative job-hunting skills
      • Gain self-confidence to win that interview

    checkmark Work to develop a professional relationship with your professors in your major field of study

    Senior Year

      checkmark Continue to research employers to find the best matches

      checkmark Apply to graduate schools before deadlines

      checkmark Seek and take on high-level responsibilities in activities and organizations

      checkmark Maintain a strong GPA

      checkmark Discuss your career plans with your professors and ask them to serve as references, before you begin your job hunt or apply to graduate school

      checkmark Sign up for a career class in your college:

      • Career Information in Arts & Communication and Letters & Sciences
      • Career Information for Business & Economics
      • Employment Strategies (Education)
      • Where you will learn:
      • Resume writing and important application correspondence