Career Planning for Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Complete as many of the activities below as you can, and you’ll find yourself on the way to a great career opportunity!
First Year – Undergraduate
Acclimate
- Browse this website to learn about the services and resources offered to students and alumni
- Sign in to your CyHire account to access internship and full-time job postings
- Get involved in student clubs and organizations
- Gather information about majors and careers
- Conduct informational interviews or job shadow individuals in careers you are interested in pursuing
- Begin a resume to keep track of employment, education information, and campus/community involvement
- Visit career fairs to gather information about career paths and to practice networking
- Build your professional wardrobe with dressy, conservative items of clothing
Second Year – Undergraduate
Explore
- Continue to explore career paths
- Work toward a leadership position in a student club or organization
- Visit Career Services to help with career planning, a resume update, career fair preparation, and/or interview tips
- Obtain a part-time job or volunteer with an organization related to your career plans
- Visit the career fairs and utilize CyHire to learn more about internship opportunities
- Create a LinkedIn profile to showcase your experiences and keep track of professional connections
- Obtain an internship to gain experience and knowledge in your field, and consider earning credit for your internship experience
Third Year – Undergraduate
Focus
- Explore graduate or professional school, if applicable
- Continue to pursue leadership positions in student clubs and organizations
- Update your resume and have it reviewed by Career Services
- Visit the career fairs and check CyHire to find internship opportunities
- Join a professional organization related to your career plans to help you learn more about the profession and make contacts
- Begin your full-time job search by researching and making a list of prospective employers
- Obtain another internship to further your experience in your chosen field
- Network! Past employers, faculty members, alumni, family, and friends can be immensely helpful
Fourth Year and Beyond – Undergraduate
Implement
- Prepare a job search or graduate school application plan
- Update your resume and schedule an appointment with Career Services to have your resume and job search plan reviewed
- Use job search resources including CyHire to locate job postings
- Continue to network with your existing contacts and make an effort to meet new contacts
- Attend career fairs
- Keep track of the applications you have in progress and follow up as needed
- Contact Career Services if you have questions about salary or negotiations
- Report your post-graduation plans to LAS Career Services
Graduate School
Refine
- Explore and research careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, non-profit, self-employment) that interest you
- Find sources for job postings (e.g., websites, professional associations, CyHire) to identify potential employers and needed qualifications
- Assess the skills you need to develop for your desired career path(s)
- Determine which career development activities (e.g., internship, research or teaching fellowship, post-doctorate) are most beneficial for your career goals
- Visit Career Services to help with career planning, a resume/CV update, networking or career fair preparation, interview tips, and/or job- and internship-searching
- Conduct informational interviews, continue to network with your existing contacts, and try to meet new contacts
- Attend career fairs, professional organization conferences, and similar events within your field
- Join a professional organization or campus organization