Career Development
The Career Services Office is located on the first level of Old Main. This office can help you decide on a career, find an internship, practice interview skills, hone resume writing skills, search for a job on the internet and more!
What follows is a general guide for career planning. We encourage you to speak with faculty and an academic advisor, and to take advantage of the programs and services offered by the Office of Career Services.
FRESHMAN YEAR: Orientation and Adaptation
- Formulate study skills for college.
- Participate in social activities and programs to develop awareness of cultural diversity.
- Choose exploratory classes or participate in professional school's core curriculum.
- Visit and get to know faculty advisors in your department.
- Learn how to work the system; find out what's on campus; check out campus resources.
- Develop personal support systems - friends, a student organization, and a peer counselor or faculty advisor/mentor.
- Begin to appreciate the value of practical work experience; investigate how a Co-op or internship can fit into your academic career plan.
- Gain work experience in a field of interest through employment or volunteerism.
SOPHOMORE YEAR: Assessment & Exploration
- Continue to develop personal support systems.
- Join a student organization.
- Learn goal setting and decision making skills.
- Interview professionals to obtain supplemental firsthand insights.
- Look into getting practical work experience; check out internships and Co-ops as on-the-job training.
- Attend College of Fine Arts Career Development Workshops.
- Attend Career Fairs, seminars and workshops to gain insight regarding what jobs are available and what kind of education is needed to obtain your goals.
- Re-evaluate interests, goals, and strengths as work experience progresses.
- Know the requirements for your degree. Does it fit your professional and career interests?
JUNIOR YEAR: Career Decisions & Reality Testing
- Determine Career Goals and, as often as possible, select course work with your Career Goals in mind.
- Attend a resume-writing workshop; have your resume critiqued.
- Attend an interviewing skills workshop including mock interviewing.
- Attend a job search skills workshop.
- Familiarize yourself with employer information at the libraries on campus.
- Attend Career Week and College of Fine Arts Career Development Workshops.
- Select electives from other academic areas to enhance qualifications; talk to counselors about employability and goals.
- Begin to network through informational interviews with professionals in your chosen fields.
SENIOR YEAR: Job Search / Graduate School
- Plan lighter class work; job searching takes time!
- Complete course requirements in major field.
- Develop further your exceptional portfolio and resume.
- Discuss career opportunities and plans with faculty, counselors and professionals in field.
- Plan for job or successful graduate school application.
- Attend Career Week and College of Fine Arts Career Development Workshops.
- Take advantage of any opportunities to interview with employers on campus.
- Conduct your self-directed job search by networking.
- Select faculty and administrators to act as references: discuss interests, skills, and personal strengths as related to positions being sought.
- Select graduate schools; prepare for entrance exams; take GMAT, GRE, LSAT, or MCAT; complete applications.
