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 filed 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

Student/Alumni Resources:

Job Listings:

Employer/Alumni Resources:

Parent Resources:

Faculty Resources

Career Planning

Self-Assessment (Freshman):

Exploration (Sophomore):

Evaluation/Decision Making (Junior):

Implementation (Senior):

Other Resource Links