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Four-Year Plan for Career Readiness

Heading down a successful career path means taking action early in your college career, and visiting Career & Professional Development at least once a year, every year. The foundation of your career development is in finding our office in Todd Wehr Hall, suite 215. The rest of your development is found in a series of interconnected career building areas you can dig into as soon as you arrive on campus and ending when you develop a satisfying career plan.

The recommendations below are based off of the NACE Competencies for Career Readiness. Some of the activities can be found in multiple competencies, to encourage you to understand the impact of your experiences. It is important to personalize your plan and re-evaluate it as you become more knowledgeable and gain new skills during your college years. Be sure to visit our career library where you can check-out career-related books, test prep guides, and helpful career development handouts.

PDF version of the 4-Year Plan

First-Year

Career & Self-Development:

Communication:

Critical Thinking:

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

Professionalism:

  • Attend Career & Internship Fair and other career events, to learn about employers and career opportunities
  • Explore the Handouts & Guides section of The Office of Career & Professional Development's website, as well as the Career library found in our office
  • Punctually attend courses, meetings, appointments, and other activities
  • Thoroughly complete all assigned projects for courses and co-curricular activities
  • Reflect on developmental opportunities and the repercussions of personal actions 

Teamwork:

  • Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
  • Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
  • Demonstrate ability to adapt to adapt to different team structures and manage conflict
  • Meet with Career Counselors once per semester

Technology:

Sophomore/Junior

Career & Self-Development:

Communication:

Critical Thinking:

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

Professionalism:

Teamwork:

Technology:

  • Explore and efficiently navigate job and internships sites like Handshake and LinkedIn
  • Update social media accounts to reflect an appropriate and professional image
  • Effectively format a résumé without the use of a template and text boxes
  • Connect with SNC Alumni through LinkedIn
  • Create an online portfolio of your work (coursework, student organizations, and internships/jobs) to showcase during interviews

Senior

Career & Self-Development:

  • Engage in conversations with career counselors to better understand your individual job search process
  • Research companies and positions of interest
  • Create a personal budget, and understand the average salary and benefits necessary for you
  • Self-navigate job options and workplace opportunities

Communication:

  • Complete a mock interview with a career counselor
  • Effectively articulate your wants, needs, and values during the job search
  • Network with professionals in your chosen field
  • Continuously update and tailor your professional documents for each position and/or graduate school you apply to 

Critical Thinking:

  • Research companies and positions of interest, and begin applying for positions
  • Gather information about job offers
  • Complete graduate and professional school applications, and prepare for the interview and admissions process

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

  • Continue to pursue leadership positions in student organizations
  • Mentor peers looking to develop their competencies and skills
  • Act as a resource to younger interns at your site

Professionalism:

  • Learn how to ethically navigate job offers
  • Invest in a professional wardrobe, appropriate to your field
  • Attend the Career & Internship Fairs and other career events relevant to your career path
  • Approach professional references, asking them to serve as a positive reference during your job search process
  • Request letters of recommendations for graduate schools and possibly for job applications

Teamwork:

Technology:

  • Actively monitor postings in Handshake and other job search sites
  • Effectively use LinkedIn and other tools to network with potential employers
  • Be able to complete a comprehensive job search online
  • Create comprehensive and concise professional documents

First-Year

Career & Self-Development:

Communication:

Critical Thinking:

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

Professionalism:

  • Attend Career & Internship Fair and other career events, to learn about employers and career opportunities
  • Explore the Handouts & Guides section of The Office of Career & Professional Development's website, as well as the Career library found in our office
  • Punctually attend courses, meetings, appointments, and other activities
  • Thoroughly complete all assigned projects for courses and co-curricular activities
  • Reflect on developmental opportunities and the repercussions of personal actions 

Teamwork:

  • Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
  • Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
  • Demonstrate ability to adapt to adapt to different team structures and manage conflict
  • Meet with Career Counselors once per semester

Technology:

Sophomore/Junior

Career & Self-Development:

Communication:

Critical Thinking:

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

Professionalism:

Teamwork:

Technology:

  • Explore and efficiently navigate job and internships sites like Handshake and LinkedIn
  • Update social media accounts to reflect an appropriate and professional image
  • Effectively format a résumé without the use of a template and text boxes
  • Connect with SNC Alumni through LinkedIn
  • Create an online portfolio of your work (coursework, student organizations, and internships/jobs) to showcase during interviews

Senior

Career & Self-Development:

  • Engage in conversations with career counselors to better understand your individual job search process
  • Research companies and positions of interest
  • Create a personal budget, and understand the average salary and benefits necessary for you
  • Self-navigate job options and workplace opportunities

Communication:

  • Complete a mock interview with a career counselor
  • Effectively articulate your wants, needs, and values during the job search
  • Network with professionals in your chosen field
  • Continuously update and tailor your professional documents for each position and/or graduate school you apply to 

Critical Thinking:

  • Research companies and positions of interest, and begin applying for positions
  • Gather information about job offers
  • Complete graduate and professional school applications, and prepare for the interview and admissions process

Equity & Inclusion:

Leadership:

  • Continue to pursue leadership positions in student organizations
  • Mentor peers looking to develop their competencies and skills
  • Act as a resource to younger interns at your site

Professionalism:

  • Learn how to ethically navigate job offers
  • Invest in a professional wardrobe, appropriate to your field
  • Attend the Career & Internship Fairs and other career events relevant to your career path
  • Approach professional references, asking them to serve as a positive reference during your job search process
  • Request letters of recommendations for graduate schools and possibly for job applications

Teamwork:

Technology:

  • Actively monitor postings in Handshake and other job search sites
  • Effectively use LinkedIn and other tools to network with potential employers
  • Be able to complete a comprehensive job search online
  • Create comprehensive and concise professional documents
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