Career Services Four-year Plan

Use this plan as a checklist or a general guideline for mapping out your professional path:

First-Year: Exploration

  • Create a College Central Network account to register with Career Services (www.emu.edu/careers)
  • “Like” the Career Services Facebook page and follow @RecruitARoyal on Twitter for important news & updates
  • Create a LinkedIn profile, build your professional network, join Recruit a Royal, EMU’s Alumni Association, and other groups related to your field
  • Explore assessment and career exploration resources within CCN and with Career Services staff
  • Participate in Career Services Events including Mission & Service Day and Career & Service Day
  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the process of choosing a major or your fit with your chosen major
  • Consider registering for courses that allow you to explore a variety of academic areas
  • Take an active role within a campus group to develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills
  • Your GPA will likely be a factor in securing internships and full-time jobs – develop good study habits now
  • Explore work-study or on/off campus part-time job options
  • Consider internships you would like to pursue after your sophomore year
  • Get to know your professors outside of class
  • To explore typical career options for different majors, use What Can I Do With This Major?

Sophomore Year: Examination

  • Utilize CCN to create a résumé and cover letter and have them reviewed by Career Services
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and gather examples of work for your professional portfolio within LinkedIn
  • Participate in Career Services Events including Mission & Service Day and Career & Service Day
  • Develop universal career-related skills (computer, accounting, writing, public speaking, leadership, second language, etc.)
  • Explore career interests through informational interviewing, job shadowing, or volunteer work
  • Conduct research and solicit information from professors, juniors and seniors, and other professionals to finalize your decision on a major
  • Use the CCN jobs board to research summer job and internship opportunities within your field that test your major and career choices
  • Complete your first internship this summer or next fall if it works with your major

Junior Year: Experience

  • Update your résumé within CCN and have it reviewed by Career Services
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and gather examples of work for your professional portfolio within Linked In
  • Talk to professionals in your field to find out about their careers and to research your potential career paths
  • Participate in Career Services Events including Graduate & Professional School Fair, Mission & Service Day and Career & Service Day
  • Check your academic coursework and major requirements with your advisor and maintain a strong GPA
  • Seek positions of leadership in campus organizations and/or voluntary service
  • Explore the option of attending graduate or professional school (research schools and financial aid, prepare for admission tests)
  • Do your second internship this summer or next academic year

Senior Year: Employment & Education

  • Utilize CCN to research companies of interest, track job search campaigns, customize résumé and cover letters for specific applications, practice interviewing skills, write thank you letters, etc.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile, utilize the job seeker functions and your network to acquire job leads and interviews, check Recruit a Royal and EMU Alumni Association groups regularly for job and networking opportunities
  • Participate in Career Services Events including Graduate & Professional School Fair, Mission & Service Day, Career & Service Day, and the Senior Etiquette Meal
  • Attend area career fairs
  • Ask professors and supervisors to serve as references
  • Plan a post-graduation internship to gain further skills and a potential job
  • If graduate school is in your immediate future, take graduate admission tests and complete applications to meet deadlines (generally in the fall)
  • Congratulate yourself as you receive your diploma and pursue the next steps in your career journey!
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