Explore
- Develop a relationship and maintain open communication with your advisor to discuss potential career goals.
- Dedicate yourself to doing well academically - go to class and participate, develop good study skills, and take advantage of campus resources that can help you.
- Visit Alumni & Professional Engagement (Ground Floor, Alumni Hall). Find us on social media (Instagram | Facebook | Twitter)
- Register with FOCUS, an online career exploration system, to identify your personal strengths, needs, preferences, and skills related to career options. (Access Code: explore)
- Log in to Handshake to complete your profile, learn about upcoming events, and conduct career and employer research.
- Join a student club or organization to build interpersonal skills and make new contacts.
- Attend at least one workshop or career-related program. See full list in Handshake.
Connect
- Work closely with your academic advisor to identify elective courses that complement your career and academic goals.
- Consider a minor to complement your major and career goals.
- Discover options for studying abroad or interning your junior or senior years.
- Write a resume using our career tip sheets found in Handshake. Have the draft critiqued by a career coach via an appointment or resume lab.
- Use FOCUS, the online career guidance program, to help you plan your career steps.
- Log in to Handshake, Commonwealth University's job and internship database to begin searching the available jobs and employers in your field of interest.
- Take a leadership position with a student club or organization.
- Get involved with community service, preferably related to your career interests.
- Collect examples of work you do (projects, papers, presentations).
- Set up your profile on LinkedIn to develop your electronic network and personal brand.
- Job shadow or conduct informational interviews with professionals working in careers or fields of interest.
- Attend three (or more) career-related events.
Experience
- Meet with your advisor and/or career coach to discuss different internships, graduate schools, or jobs.
- Refine your resume and learn how to write a cover letter.
- Serve an internship, externship, or relevant part-time job to gain hands-on professional experience (Handshake).
- Manage a major project within your student club/organization.
- Join a professional organization affiliated with your career interests.
- Thinking about graduate school starts here. Learn about graduate school entrance exams and use the grad school guide.
Lead
- Meet with your advisor and/or career coach to develop action steps for pursuing professional employment or graduate study.
- Write specialized resumes and cover letters.
- Complete an internship (or your second) to gain professional experience.
- Participate in a virtual mock interview through Big Interview to develop interview skills.
- Identify and research potential employers and establish contacts in your chosen field.
- Attend Career Fairs and professional conferences to network with professionals and potential employers.
- Ask references for letters of recommendation.