A Lifelong Guide for Career Development

The following guideline should not be used as a substitute for meeting with faculty, academic and career advisors to prepare a personalized career plan. After all, students in every academic department at UE will have different curricular and co-curricular expectations that will impact how closely they will be able to follow this career planning guide. Nonetheless, UE students are encouraged to utilize this career development guideline as an exploration and preparation tool. After all, differences exist in everyone's career planning process. Over your lifetime several internal and external influences impact your career path, such as your academic major, interests, experiences, life roles and responsibilities, etc. This guide provides a general list of activities that you may initiate and be cognizant of during college. Also, we encourage each of you to make an appointment with Career Services to begin constructing your individualized career plan.

First-Year Student

Identify your interests, abilities, skills and values
Develop short and long term academic and career goals
Explore various majors, occupations and interests with Career Services, Academic Advisors, Faculty and General Education Requirements
Take the 'Do What You Are' career assessment
Research interesting occupations and majors through on-line resources, Career Services' resources and talking to faculty and current professionals in the field(s)
Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the career in which you are interested to learn more about their career path and position
Be sure to make your academic advisor aware if you are thinking about studying abroad during your college career, so he or she may better advise you during course registration
Attend workshops through the Career Services Outreach program
Explore student organizations, clubs and departmental groups on campus
If you have already declared a major, look for opportunities to gain more experience in your field of interest (ie: student organizations, part-time jobs, internships/externships)
Visit the Office of Study Abroad to explore studying a semester at Harlaxton College or other program.
Create a resume of your current and previous experiences and upload it to UE JobLink

Sophomore Year

Continue career exploration related to your area of interest
Discuss your career and educational plans with Career Services, Academic Advisors, Faculty and your own personal network of family and friends
After 60 credit hours at UE, it is strongly advised that you declare a major field of study in order to make satisfactory academic progress
Update your resume with current information and be sure to upload it to UE JobLink
Consider gaining valuable life experiences through studying abroad; speak with the Office of Study Abroad and your academic advisor to implement your plan
Become involved in Experiential Learning Opportunities through internships, externships, co-ops etc., to learn more contact the Career Services office and your Academic Advisor
Join a student organization to gain transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, etc.
Become a member of the student professional organization that best matches your career interests
Take advantage of career workshops through the Career Services Outreach program

Junior Year

Construct a timeline and action plan concerning what your plans are post graduation
Identify post graduation options: graduate school? professional school? full-time employment?
Revisit your career interests, values, skills and abilities. How have they changed?
Increase your participation in student organizations and clubs by serving in a leadership capacity
Continue to actively participate in the student professional organization that you have previously chosen
Attend career workshops, seminars, job fairs and/or grad school activities
Establish a network of professionals in the business world or with graduate school and maintain communication with them
Take graduate/professional school examinations
Gain real-life experience through internships, co-ops, part-time jobs, research, presenting at conferences and class projects
Inquire at Career Services about Credential Files if you are a Education major
Make an appointment with Career Services for further career/higher education assistance
Candidates for degree must file an application for the degree with the Office of the Registrar one year prior to the intended date of graduation

Senior Year

Narrow your career choices by prioritizing your interests, values, skills and abilities
Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor early in the academic year to ensure that you are on the right track for graduation
Gain any additional experience that will strengthen your qualifications as a job or graduate school applicant
If planning to attend graduate/professional school be sure to complete your applications prior to the school deadlines
Visit graduate school campuses and increase communication with your potential department to ensure that the program fits your needs
Revise and strengthen your resume
Schedule a Mock Interview appointment with the Career Services office
Make sure all of your contact information is up-to-date on UE JobLink
See Career Services for individualized assistance in planning your career path such as developing an action plan for employment or mapping out graduate and professional schools

Career Search Tips for Adults in Transition

Build in an 'exploration phase' to your career and job search plan- complete an assessment, conduct information interviews, gather your network, do your research, brainstorm possibilities
A college degree is NOT the only ticket to a new career; practical experience in the new field remains a critical component. It also takes longer to transition to a new career than you realize and can take 12 to 18 months for an adult in transition to change careers
Seek out a support network that includes faculty and career services professionals to help you focus on strengths, keep a positive attitude, be realistic and helps you maintain healthy perspectives when the going gets tough
Spend as much time as you can focusing on the intersection between your gifts and the role/task you wish to fulfill; consider preparing a functional resume
Develop a checklist of environmental 'must haves', 'nice to haves' and 'can't haves'; prepare a lengthy list of questions that you can ask a prospective employer during an interview
Focus on skills and accomplishments that highlight your education and new experience; make sure your resume lights the path to where you are going and not to where you have been
Practice your 30 second oral resume and possibly have more than one; preparing for an interview is critical and situational, behavioral or competency based interviewing is the norm