What do you want to do when you leave college?
Answering this career planning question is:
- A lifelong process that will evolve and change over time
- A four-year-long research project that involves multiple topics and tasks
Effective career planning
To prepare for success in career planning, you should:
- Have a realistic mindset
- Plan initially to consider a variety of possible futures
- Prepare for changes in your interests. Career planning is an evolving, dynamic, life-long process
- Start early! This process takes time, takes initiative and involves trial-and-error learning
Four parts in career planning
- Self assessment: identify your interests, skills and values
- Occupational research: explore fields and occupations that fit your interests
- Gain hands-on experience while in college through engagement programs and activities
- Develop job search skills so you can present yourself effectively in searches for
- Jobs and internships
- Fellowships or service opportunities
- Grad school
- Gap year experiences
The Career Center staff and programs are here to help you design a career planning process that fits your unique interests.