Career Action Plan
Register for core courses with the help of your advisor
Schedule an appointment at the Career and Professional Development Center to familiarize yourself with the services and resources available
Attend at least one workshop each semester to help you decide on a major
Start a career information file or notebook that will include records of your career development and job- search activities for the next four years
Take the Focus 2 Assessment provided by the Career and Professional Development Center
Sign up for HireARattler powered by Handshake and develop your profile, which is filled with information on hundreds of occupations
Explore your interests, abilities, and skills through required academics
Talk to faculty, alumni, advisers, and career specialist about possible majors and careers
Join university and student organizations that will offer you leadership roles in the future
Collect information on cooperative education programs, internships, and summer jobs available through HireARattler powered by Handshake
Consider volunteer positions to help build your resume
Begin a cooperative education program or consider an internship, summer, and school-break job opportunities that relate to your interests
Explore at least three career options available to you through your major
Attend on-campus career and job fairs and employer information sessions relating to your interests
Continue to foster relationships with faculty, counselors, and administrators
Set up a job shadowing appointment with someone in a possible career/major field & conduct an informational interview
Join at least one professional or honorary organization related to your major to make contact with people in the professional world
Develop an initial résumé
Discuss career questions with a career specialist, advisor, and/or mentor.
Begin to collect recommendations from previous and current employers
Put together an interview
Re-evaluate academic plan in relation to a career option
Consider graduate school and get information on graduate entrance examinations
Update résumé; schedule an appointment with the Career Specialist to look over it with you and post your résumé on HireARattler powered by Handshake
Hone interviewing skills; schedule a mock interview with the Career Specialist
Attend the Fall & Spring Career Expo to network with potential employers
Participate in interviewing, cover-letter writing, and other job-search workshops
Shadow several professionals in your field
Take leadership positions in clubs and organizations
Start your professional wardrobe
Complete course requirements for major
Schedule an appointment with a Career Specialist to fine-tune your résumé and upload the edited version onto HireARattler powered by Handshake
Participate in on-campus interviews
Attend the Fall and Spring Career Expo, distribute résumés to potential employers, follow-up with contacts
Attend the Fall and Spring Career Expo, distribute résumés to potential employers, follow-up with contacts
Gather information on realistic salary expectations. The Career and Professional Development Center is able to help
Attend local association meetings to meet potential employers
Draft a cover letter that can be adapted for a variety of employers and have it critiqued by a Career Specialist
Go on second interviews. Evaluate job offers and accept one
