Four Year Career Development Model
- Year 1 ~ Self-Discovery
YEAR 1: Learning Essentials ~ Self-Discovery
- Visit the Juan & Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation and explore its services and resources.
- Use your CliftonStrengths for Students (formerly StrengthsQuest) to assist in developing and exploring your gifts.
- Develop a list of your transferable skills.
- Develop your leadership skills by joining clubs and attending outreach events.
- Begin researching careers that interest you by using O-Net Online and other online tools.
- Explore careers of interest and ask professors, learning specialists, and other professionals about their careers.
- Seek opportunities to gain experience by volunteering, job shadowing, and participating in informational interviews.
- Discover and apply for summer volunteer opportunities.
- Complete at least one summer volunteer opportunity.
- Year 2 ~ Self-Awareness
YEAR 2: Career Exploration ~ College and Career Self-Awareness
- Attend and complete Career Exploration Class: COE 2606.
- Continue to develop your leadership skills, join clubs, and actively participate in on-campus events.
- Take career assessments and start to explore different majors and careers.
- Meet with a career development professor to discuss career assessment results and to identify related majors and careers.
- Discover and develop career essentials, such as building a résumé, honing interview skills, and attending internships and workshops.
- Develop personal and professional goals through job shadowing, volunteer opportunities, and internships.
- Seek a leadership position in a campus organization.
- Create a search plan for networking opportunities to gain experience with career panels, job fairs, and internet services.
- Explore careers of interest, and seek further insight through volunteering, job shadowing, and informational interviews.
- Attend Career Center events.
- Acquire professional business attire for interviews.
- Identify an internship.
- Discover and apply for volunteer internships and employment opportunities.
- Year 3 ~ Self-Marketing
YEAR 3: Career Planning ~ Self-Marketing and Workplace
- Attend and complete Career Planning class: COE 3606.
- Develop self-marketing skills and other workplace competencies.
- Attend workshops related to job search skills, such as interviewing and job search strategies.
- Start networking with professionals in your field through membership in career-related roles and industries.
- Engage with professional organizations through career panels, job fairs, and employer information sessions.
- Research and create a list of the top five companies that match your interests and qualifications.
- Develop a strong relationship with faculty in your major to find a mentor and potential reference.
- Start researching graduate and professional schools and programs if you plan to continue your education.
- Continue networking with employers through professional development opportunities, career panels, fairs, and employer information sessions.
- Discover and apply for internship opportunities.
- Reach out to alumni in your field.
- Fulfill your first 40 hours of internship/field experience.
- Acquire professional business attire for interviews.
- Schedule and complete practice interview with the Juan & Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation.
- Year 4 ~ Career and Employment
YEAR 4: Career Development ~ Career and Employment
- Attend and complete Career Development Class: COE 4606.
- Develop a career action plan for your final year.
- Complete professional portfolio, résumé, cover letter, and business cards.
- Develop a list of references, and request letters of recommendations from faculty and others.
- Update and finalize your online presence (i.e. LinkedIn profile, social media, etc.).
- Discover and apply for five internships and five employment opportunities.
- Attend career fairs and be prepared to promote qualifications to employers.
- Apply to graduate or professional school early; and follow through on all the requirements.
- Attend job search and other related workshops.
- Fulfill your last 40 hours of internship/field experience.
- Fulfill the entire 80-hour internship graduation requirement.
- Acquire professional business attire for interviews.
- Schedule and complete exit interview with Career Center.