Career Planning Checklist

To assist you with your progression throughout your college experience, follow this career checklist. The purpose of this checklist is to provide you with steps to take as you progress toward your career opportunities and goals.

Take time to find out what is out there and how it all fits with your career goals.

1. Identify personal interests, values and abilities.
2. Explore career options related to your major.
3. Develop work related behaviors: punctuality, reliability, conscientiousness, etc.

___ Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss choosing a major and/or identify career options.

___ Identify and explore your interests, abilities and work values through a career assessment.

___ Join a campus organization in your area of interest and attend meetings regularly.

___ Get involved in community activities.

___ Attend career events, workshops and panels offered, explore options.

___ Meet with your academic adviser to develop academic plan.

___ Explore courses in your area of interest and keep an open mind.

___ Speak with faculty members in departments of interest, family members or friends about potential majors and career fields.

___ Volunteer or obtain a part-time job to gain valuable skills and explore potential interest areas.

___ Consider job shadowing or performing an informational interview, to assist you with your career choices.

___ Gather as much information about possible careers and focus in on your choice.

___ Schedule an appointment with an academic adviser to discuss the requirements and procedures for declaring your chosen major.

___ Develop a resume to use when applying for internships and other career development experiences. Have it reviewed by your adviser.

___ Consider studying abroad.

___ Seek an internship in your field of study. Schedule an appointment with a Career Development Coordinator, and/or with the Internship Coordinator in your academic department, to discuss opportunities.

___ Take a leadership role within a campus group to further develop valuable leadership, organization and communication skills.

___ Join student and professional associations in the field you are pursuing.

___ Gain as much experience as you can via internships, job shadowing, etc.

___ Create a job search strategic plan.

___ Start researching graduate/professional schools.

___ Update registration information on your Central Career Network account and research employers who conduct on-campus interviews.

___ Update your resume.

___ Network at career events.

___ Apply for membership in professional organizations.

___ Begin researching graduate school options by using Career Way or Peterson's Graduate Guides.

___ Schedule an appointment for a video mock interview to learn and practice those skills necessary for successful interviewing.

___ Start developing your professional wardrobe.

___ Obtain another internship or volunteer in your field of study.

___ Define the work environment that will best lead to your success (i.e., private/small vs. public/large company, business vs. government).

___ Perform a career gap analysis and develop a plan to bridge the gap; make yourself a more attractive and marketable candidate.

___ Seek guidance from your Career Development Coordinator for help with any or all of these steps.

___ Network in chosen field.

___ Develop professional skills - get a job.

___ Consult with your Career Development Coordinator to review your progress, including your job search strategy.

___ Perform another practice interview to polish your presentation skills.

___ Update and publish your resume for job search.

___ Track the on-campus interview schedule on a weekly basis and sign-up for interviews.

___ Network! Keep all your options open. Talk with your family and friends concerning any opportunity to gain practical work experience.

___ Start interviewing six to nine months prior to graduation.

___ Education majors: begin requesting applications from school districts six to nine months prior to graduation develop your reference list and finalize your portfolio.

___ Continue to attend career related workshops and panels.

___ Participate in career events.

___ Check out online career and job-search resources.

___ Expand your professional wardrobe.

___ Notify your adviser when you obtain employment following graduation.