Your Four Year Plan

The four-year plan is a systematic career-planning program that ensures that you receive comprehensive career guidance. This plan consists of:

1st year: Explore

• Meet with Career Development Center to explore career possibilities and majors, and to learn about resources offered
• Begin to develop relationships with faculty, advisors, and key administrators
• Complete career assessments to assist in identifying your strengths, weaknesses, skills, values and interests
• Join a student club or organization
• Talk to upperclassmen who majored in what you plan to major in
• Find summer employment related to your career interests
• Take an elective in a major you are considering

2nd year: Prepare

• Research and apply for internships, summer jobs, and volunteer positions related to your career field
• Explore companies and shadow professionals in your field of interest
• Begin working on a resume with Career Development Center
• Meet with faculty members and advisor to brainstorm career paths
• Consider whether additional education will be needed for your chosen career path
• Research specific careers and required qualifications
• Solidify your major and begin signing up for electives that will assist you in your career path and personal development
• Begin building a professional wardrobe

3rd year: Action

• Complete an internship
• Practice interview skills by scheduling a mock interview with Career Development Center
• Join student chapters affiliated with the professional associations in your field
• Begin building a portfolio for your career path
• Bring your resume to Career Development Center for review
• Determine if there are other “resume builders” for your field, aside from internships
• Improve your desired skills- public speaking, organization, problem solving, writing
• Explore graduate school programs
• Schedule informational interviews with prospective career contacts
• Apply for leadership positions on and off campus
• Register and prepare for graduate school admissions tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or GMAT

4th year: Transition

• Plan to apply and interview for jobs and graduate schools 4-6 months before you graduate
• Complete a second internship in order to make your resume stand out
• Plan a strategic job search/finalize your resume and cover letter with Career Development Center
• Network! Let all of your contacts know that you are looking for entry-level employment
• Compile a list of references; obtain their permission and collect contact information
• For graduate school, complete your personal statement and mail your applications
• Formulate an “Plan B” in case you need to make last minute career adjustments
• Begin branding and marketing yourself as a professional

Every Year:

• Set career goals and steps to accomplish those goals
• Keep track of your accomplishments to use on your resume
• Attend Career Development Center events, workshops, etiquette dinners, and fairs to meet job recruiters
• Get in the habit of seeking out opportunities early. Many internships, summer career immersion programs, and job postings have application dates that are well in advance of their start dates
• Cultivate a career network. Keep in touch with former supervisors, faculty, and individuals you meet through family, friends, clubs, and classes.