First Year/Freshman
Career - Explore career areas
- Trial and error jobs
- Take career assessments
- Attend career fairs
- Attend career planning workshops or meet with a career counselor individually
Academics - Explore the University
- Try courses to help explore majors
- Read the course catalog
- Meet professors
- Attend study skills workshops
- See an academic advisor
Extracurricular - Get involved/initiate relationships
- Get involved in residence hall activities, student organizations, or public service projects.
- Nurture hobbies, balance work and play
- Develop a peer group
Second Year/Sophomore
Career - Collect more information
- Read about careers
- Talk with a career counselor
- Talk with professionals in several careers
- Attend resume workshop/develop resume
- Look for summer internships
- Attend workshops and career fairs
Academics - Gain Specific Information
- Set up a meeting with an academic adviser
- Explore possible faculty advisors
- Choose a major
- Investigate off-campus and study abroad programs
- Talk with people in your major
Extracurricular- Explore new roles/increase involvement
- Learn about other cultures
- Consider a leadership role in a residence hall or class project
- Volunteer for a committee or community organization
Third Year/Junior
Career - Reality-test career options
- Develop a general awareness of career options in many areas
- Become familiar with work settings and job descriptions
- Talk with a career counselor about your plans
- Get a summer job/internship relating to your career interest
- Attend career workshops, panels, and fairs
- Update your resume
- Conduct information interviews
- Attend Graduate School Fair
Academics - Make Initial Choices
- Supplement major courses with courses in public speaking, computer science, econ, stats, etc.
- Study abroad
- Research graduate schools if appropriate for you
- Develop academic mentor
- Explore and consider research opportunities
Extracurricular - Take risks/develop new skills
- Run for an elected student office/position
- Apply for RA/peer advisor position
- Work in an office to build basic skills
- Volunteer in service project
Fourth Year/Senior
Career - Solidify Career Choice
- Attend workshops on
- Job Search
- Resume Writing
- Interviewing
- Salary Negotiations
- Participate in On-Campus Recruiting (OCR)
- Go through practice interviews at the Student Career Center
- Applying to graduate school
- Meet with a career counselor to develop your job search and discuss your future career plans
- Attend career fairs and panels
- Research and develop target list of potential employers
- Attend employer information sessions
- Conduct information interviews with UC alumni contacts to develop an active network
Academics - Gain in-depth experience in your field
- Research and apply to graduate schools
- Work on research project with professor
- Explore life-long learning interests
Extracurricular - Make Commitments
- Project financial needs & realistic budget
- Talk about your first year after graduation: ideal work, lifestyle, proximity to friends & family, values & long term goals
- Join a professional organization
