Career Planning – A Four-Year Model
The No. 1 reason that most people pursue a college degree is to get a better job in the future. If this is a priority for you, it is very important that you maximize your future opportunities through effective career planning. The following model provides a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your time in college. And remember, you’re not alone — Career Services provides resources to help you with every aspect of your career development.
Freshman Year — Discover and Explore – Become Familiar - Begin discussing your values, interests, skills and abilities, selecting a major, making career choices through career consulting and assessment
- Learn about participating in internships
- Begin to attend “What Can I do with a major in?” Workshops
- Join extracurricular activities
- Attend Career Decision Making Workshop
- Go on an informational interview – to learn about an area of passion
- Register with Jobs4Bulldogs to become exposed to TLU’s online job and internship posting system
- Participate in Career Development Programming like the Career Development Roundtable Series, Vocation Movie Night and Speed Mentoring
- Develop a list of possible majors
Sophomore Year — Research and Focus – Exploring Career Options - Explore career fields/industries of interest and compare work environments
- Ask advisors, professors, relatives and friends about career options and explore your values and interests
- Consider volunteering and identify and prepare for paid and unpaid internships
- Attend skill assessment and vocational decision making workshops
- Attend The Majors Fair and Conduct informational interviews
- Gain a career mentor and create a career timeline for the next five years
- Learn how to develop a résumé
- Use career development Internet resources to learn about careers and industries
- Choose a major
Junior Year — Experience and Experiment – Skill Building and Goal Setting - Seek leadership in campus organizations and/or volunteer services
- Attend Resume and Cover Letter Workshop
- Update and revise your résumé - get a revision at Resume Hut
- Attend informational interview workshop and set up informational interviews
- Practice effective interviewing techniques through Mock Interview Day
- Volunteer with a local civic group that you feel passionate about
- Begin investigating internships and networking
- Get involved in a professional organization related to your career field.
- Participate in the annual SACUCCA career fair in San Antonio, TX
- Focus on major courses and narrow industry focus
- Research graduate/professional schools by attending the Graduate School Fair
- Learn about career options through work settings and job descriptions
- Narrow industry focus
Senior Year — Choose and Implement – University to Work Transition - Join on-campus leadership and academic professional organizations
- Organize your career development goals and career plan
- Target desired industries and determine geographical preference
- Attend Job Search workshop
- Participate in Career Development programming like Speed Mentoring and Disorientation
- Fine tune résumé, cover letters and profile through workshops and resume hut
- Update profile and resume with Jobs4Bulldogs
- Apply to graduate/professional school early in the fall semester
- Practice interview skills through Mock Interview Day
- Network with professional association in industry career preference.
- Attend Career Fair Preparation Workshop
- ATTEND SACUCCA Job Fair, Teacher Fair and various other area career fairs that will be marketed through Career Development
