Career Planning

Self-Assessment (Freshman):

Perhaps you have felt that tinge of anxiety already when others have asked you, "What will you do with a liberal arts degree?" By exploring your interests, skills, and values early in your college career, you will be more prepared to choose a career filled that best fits with your criteria, more easily making the transition from college life to life after Augie.

  • Identify the following, either on your own or with assistance from the Career Services office.
    • past accomplishments, skills, and abilities
    • career-related hobbies and interests
    • personality style
    • work and life values
  • Get acquainted with the Career Services staff and resources
  • Talk with parents, friends, and professors about different kinds of work
  • Build skills and leadership through co-curricular and volunteer activities

Exploration (Sophomore):

After assessing your interests, skills, and values, you are now prepared to choose a career field that best fits with your criteria.

  • Gather career information in the Career Services office and Website
  • Talk with your professors about your career ideas
  • Contact professionals in your field of interest to set up an informational interview
  • Set some short-term goals (conduct 3 informational interviews, search for a summer job related to your major, meet with your professor to talk about options for your major)
  • Apply for summer jobs or internships related to your major or chosen career
  • Talk to the Career Center staff to help you decide or confirm your major and develop a career plan
  • Consider studying abroad
  • Begin developing a resume by attending a workshop and writing a first draft

Evaluation/Decision Making (Junior):

Perhaps you have felt that tinge of anxiety already when others have asked you, "What will you do with a major in...?" After exploring different careers which fit well with your interests, values, skills, and preferences, you will be more prepared to decide on a career goal.

  • Attend and gather information from career and graduate/professional school fairs
  • Talk with Augie Alumni about your chosen career field
  • Meet with the Career Center staff to refine your resume and cover letters
  • Weigh all career options and make preliminary decisions
  • If considering graduate/professional school, explore scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship opportunities
  • attend workshops to enhance job and graduate school search skills
  • Attend information sessions offered by recruiting organizations
  • Seek out a summer job or internship in your career field of interest

Implementation (Senior):

Now what? You have spent the last four or five years writing papers, researching topics, giving presentations, and studying for tests and finals. You deserve a break, right? Of course you do, but remember, you have on more big task ahead of you: The Job Search!

  • Taking the plunge: talk with the Career Center staff about developing a job search plan
  • Begin developing your network of contacts (friends, relatives, Alumni, professional associations)
  • Continue to revise and update resume and develop cover letters
  • Don't Do It Alone! Come in for a senior appointment, let us know your plans, turn in your resume
  • Participate in mock interviews
  • Interview with employers coming to campus
  • Attend Job Fairs

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