Year-By-Year Checklist

First Year: Self-Assessment and Career Exploration

  • Test your interests and abilities through classes, involvement in student organizations, campus employment and community service.
  • Consider college your first job and as preparation for life
  • Explore and use the resources available on campus
  • Use the Environmental Liberal Arts Program to determine your likes/dislikes
  • Start a portfolio of your best work
  • Begin to develop/improve your leadership and organizational skills through involvement
  • Adopt an alumni mentor; see the Office of Career Services to learn how
  • Begin a Student Life Transcript and career file
  • Know and understand your academic options
  • Become familiar with internet options
  • Consider looking for a summer job that will help you begin to identify career interests and gain relevant experience. Make an appointment with a Career Services counselor to help with the process.

Sophomore Year: Career Exploration and Internship


  • Do well academically.
  • If you have not already done so, choose a major.
  • Write a resume and have it reviewed by Career Services staff.
  • Explore career options within your major.
  • Cultivate key campus career contacts and network among them.
  • Seek a summer position that will give you direct experience in a field you wish to pursue after graduation.
  • Plan to get relevant work experience through a summer job, job shadowing, or volunteer work.
  • Attend career services workshops, alumni panel discussions, and programs and lectures in your area of interest.

Junior Year: Career Experimentation and Preparation


  • Relate your values, interests and abilities to possible career choices.
  • Develop your career goals.
  • Research thoroughly the occupations you are considering.
  • Interview people about the nature of their jobs in areas that interest you. Career Services can help you find alumni that can serve as information resources.
  • Continue to increase your abilities through meaningful extracurricular activities and work.
  • Begin to research programs and entrance requirements if graduate school is in your future. Meet with appropriate advisor.
  • Obtain a quality internship over the summer.
  • Develop relationships with faculty and professionals to enable them to assist in your search and to write letters of recommendation on your behalf.
  • Visit Career Services often.
  • Practice interviewing.
  • Refine your leadership and organizational skills in campus activities.
  • Refine your resume and portfolio.
  • Keep contact with key campus professionals.
  • Do community service.
  • Attend career fairs.
  • Join at least one professional association to make appropriate contacts.
  • Narrow your career search.
  • Talk to recent graduates about their experiences in areas of interest to you.

Senior Year: Organizing Your Job Search or Graduate School Application


  • Make an appointment to talk with Career Services staff about your post graduation plans.
  • Have your resume and cover letters critiqued at Career Services.
  • Establish a credential file.
  • Update your portfolio.
  • Perform mock interviews.
  • Research prospective employers before the interview. Prepare appropriate questions.
  • Attend career fairs and take advantage of all on and off campus recruiting programs.
  • Evaluate each interview. What did you learn? What went well? What could you do better next time?
  • Talk with professionals in your field about opportunities; network with GMC alumni.
  • Write letters of inquiry, visit employers, follow-up!
  • Apply to graduate schools and take all required entrance exams. · Use computer job search resources.
  • Read at least two trade publications in your field of study.

 

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