Career Exploration

Career Planning Guide

4 Steps to Successful Career Planning

1. ASSESS: Learning about yourself (interests, skills, and values); Learning about the world of work
2. EXPLORE: Relating occupational alternatives to self-information; Getting information about occupations and options
3. FOCUS: Narrowing and prioritizing occupational alternatives; Identifying education, training and employment options
4. IMPLEMENT: Carrying through on a plan of action; Entering the world of work or graduate/professional school

STEP 1: Freshman Year

ASSESS

• Enroll in the First Year Experience Orientation Class
• Take StrenghtsQuest Assessment to learn your "top five themes of talent."
• Select liberal education courses for exposure to a variety of disciplines.
• Explore careers and majors with: Advising Success Center, Career Services, faculty/staff/advisors/alumni,  course catalog,  Alumni Career Mentors, professionals in your field(s) [pdf]
• Complete career interest assessments: Discover-access through student portal, Other assessments available on website under Career Exploration.
• Visit the Advising Success Center to obtain a tutor if needed.
• Get involved with campus and community organizations:  Visit Student Organizations
• Initiate Student Development Transcript through Hobson Memorial Union
• Obtain a strong GPA
• Check your privacy settings on MySpace and Facebook.
• Set up a career counseling appointment to help choose a major

STEP 2: Sophomore Year

EXPLORE

• Continue to explore interests, values, abilities and lifestyle preferences
• Attend “Choosing a Major” Workshop offered through Career Services
• Enroll in classes that fit both liberal education and potential majors
• Explore careers and majors with: Advising Success Center, Career Services, faculty/staff/advisors/alumni,  course catalog,  Alumni Career Mentors, professionals in your field(s) [pdf]
• Acquire experience through: volunteer work, part-time and summer work, student/community organizations
• Investigate opportunities for internships and practica 
• Explore additional majors or minors to increase marketability
• Consider the possibility for study abroad
• Research majors and careers through our website under Career Exploration
• Maintain a strong GPA

STEP 3: Junior Year

FOCUS

• Select major(s) minor(s)
• Complete Graduation Planning Documents available on the records page.
• Finalize practica/related part-time employment, internships or international studies
• Take a leadership role or become active in campus organizations
• Attend Job Seeking Skills workshops through Career Services
• Design a resume and cover letter. Have your resume critiqued by Career Services staff.
• Upload resume into BSUCareers for internships and other work experience
• Start your job search 6-9 months prior to graduation
• Research graduate and professional schools including entrance exams
• Attend career/job fairs offered throughout the state and on and off campus for internship opportunities
• Complete a Mock Interview
• Maintain a strong GPA
• Enroll in Career & Internship Development Course Buad2100

STEP 4: Senior Year

IMPLEMENT

Graduates who either seek full-time employment or continuing education after receiving your Associate or Bachelor Degree should:

• Market your strengths that you acquired from the past three years
• Finalize grad plans
• Update and finalize self-managed credential file and resume and cover letter
• Attend Grad Prep for Seniors in the fall
• Upload resume into BSUCareers for full time employment
• Participate in Career/Jobs Fair and other Career Services workshops and events to prepare for the job search
• Interview with on-campus employers when appropriate
• Participate in mock interviews
• Once full-time employment is secured, report status to Career Services

If you are seeking full-time employment, Career Services offers:

• Assistance with updating and finalizing your self -managed credential file and resume
• Job Seeking Skills workshops for you to attend (or view the Job Seeking Skills online workshop)
• On-campus recruiting with various employers for full-time and internship opportunities
• Registration for career/job fairs where you can network with multiple employers in one setting and participate in the interview process
• Visit the Career Services job listings page

If you are continuing your education:

• Complete graduation and professional application process and take appropriate exams
• Interview for graduate or professional school gain admission and continue you career path through additional education and training
• Report your employment or continuing education status to Career Services
  Information reported, regarding your employment or continuing education is useful data to students who are considering majoring in a certain area and ask, “What can I do with a major in...?”