4 Year Career Plan

4 Year Career Plan

Simple career management steps you can take

Our 4 Year Career Plan has been developed to help you identify simple activities and action steps you can take to develop your career readiness. Each activity can be connected to one or more of the top 8 core competencies employers seek. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers consistently look for these skills in the individuals they hire. Learn more about them on our Key Skills page.

View our printable version of the 4-Year Career plan here.

Year 1

Explore

Identify values, interests, personality, and skills using our on-line tools
Log in to your ECN account and explore jobs, internships and OCS events
Volunteer in an area of interest through the Center for Community Engagement
Join a University Club or Organization
Create your baseline resume and identify gaps in your experience
Set-up an appointment with a career counselor to identify career opportunities

Year 2

Discover

Schedule informational interviews to learn more about your major or career field
Research and pursue internships, part-time work and volunteer opportunities to build experience on your resume
Take on a leadership role in a campus club or organization
Practice speaking about yourself and making connections by attending career & internship fairs and other professional and social events on campus
Build an on-line brand by creating a LinkedIn account & ensure your social media accounts are appropriate and professional
Attend career and professional development workshops and programs on-campus

Year 3

Expand

Pursue and secure an internship experience and keep track of your accomplishments
Choose elective classes or a minor to enhance your skills and support your professional goals
Update your resume and have it reviewed by the OCS staff
Thinking about graduate or professional school? Start researching programs and requirements
If you haven’t already, seek out leadership roles in clubs and organizations
Pursue academic research and projects with professors to expand your practical experience
Continue to grow your network by engaging in campus events and programs
Start asking faculty and professional contacts to serve as professional references

Year 4

Attain

Finalize your resume and have it reviewed by the OCS staff and your faculty advisor
Start your job search process; utilize ECN and other job search engines to identify opportunities
Grow your network through career fairs and LinkedIn
Use your network to identify professional opportunities beyond job postings
Join professional organizations to meet other professionals in your field of interest
Participate in mock/practice interviews often
Complete your degree evaluation and meet with your advisor to make sure you are meeting all your graduation requirements
Meet with a member of the OCS staff to plan out your final year strategy
If going on to graduate or professional school, finalize your applications early
Research salary and cost of living using on-line resources like Analyst