Wherever you are in your journey at the university, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration is ready to assist with your career success. Utilize the services and resources available to help you achieve your career goals. Check and see if you’re on track with the suggestions below and if not, get started today.
Four Year Plan
- Visit What can I do with this major? to research majors and career options
- Take career assessments such as the Strong Interest Inventory, TypeFocus, and PathwayU
- Meet with an academic and career exploration coach to discuss your goals and how your CliftonStrengths can help you achieve them
- Explore interests by shadowing and speaking with professionals in a variety of occupations
- Utilize campus resources like the Vol Study Center and your academic coach to help with academic success
- Use Handshake to find part-time jobs and internships in your area of interest
- Begin planning for involvement in student organizations, research, leadership and service programs, and global learning
- If exploratory, Enroll in Exploring Majors & Careers–CE205
- Meet with your career coach to discuss ways to explore career options and gain experience
- Find alumni mentors in careers of interest on ConnectUT
- Build skills and gain experience through involvement on campus, volunteering, part-time jobs, and internships
- Learn about career readiness competencies and how you will attain them
- Visit the center and have your resume critiqued by a peer career advisor
- Maintain a high GPA to compete for positions and graduate school
- Update your Handshake profile, create a LinkedIn account;
- Utilize the professional headshot photo booth at the career center and manage your social media professionally
- Establish relationships with faculty in a major of interest for work and graduate school recommendations
- Attend center workshops, networking events, panels and job fairs; plan to attend Sophomore Boot Camp in January
- Meet with your career coach to develop a strategy for finding an internship or similar experience
- Continue to build your personal brand; update your resume
- Utilize Handshake and your network to secure an internship, research experience, or other position related to your goals
- Attend job fairs throughout the year (many employers visit campus in the fall to secure summer interns)
- Participate in career-related student organizations and professional associations
- Schedule a practice interview to develop your professional communication skills
- If planning to continue your education, utilize graduate school resources and workshops to prepare for admissions
- Attend center events to strengthen job search skills
- Secure business casual and/or professional attire to prepare for interviews and internships
- Meet with your career coach to strategize post-graduation plans
- Leverage your CliftonStrengths and the career readiness competencies you attained in the job search
- Research companies, opportunities, and job fairs at the beginning of fall semester
- Utilize Handshake to identify positions and develop targeted resumes and cover letters
- Build connections with recruiters through events sponsored by the career center and employers
- Continue to network with professionals in your field on LinkedIn and Connect UT
- For those continuing your education, schedule a personal statement critique, meet required deadlines for graduate school, and create a parallel plan
- Update your career profile to share your success!