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Career Planning Timeline

FRESHMAN

Student's Role
  • Familiarize yourself with Terra Dotta University's Career Development Center's valuable services and resources. 
  • Participate in a variety of extra curricular activities.
  • Perform a self-assessment of personal interests, skills, talents, and abilities.
  • Explore the variety of academic majors offered at Terra Dotta University
  • Research possible career options
  • Create study habits and routines for academic success
  • Focus on academic achievement
  • Meet often with your academic advisor to plan your academic career
  • Become familiar with TDU's faculty
  • Find opportunities related to career interests
  • Summer: Obtain a job, an internship, or volunteer within the community
 
Parent’s Role
  • Stress the importance of achieving good grades 
  • Encourage your student to meet with their advisor and Career Development Center
  • Discuss options with your student to help them select appropriate activities
  • Help your student be successful in finding summer employment or internship opportunities
 
SOPHOMORE

Student’s Role
  • Meet with your Career Development Center counselor
  • Achieve high grades
  • Schedule a meeting with your advisor to plan your academic career
  • Attend an event hosted by TDU's Career Development Center
  • Explore different occupations and majors and make tentative choices
  • Assess your current skills, knowledge, and interests
  • Create goals for obtaining new skills and knowledge required for career choice
  • Write a professional resume and cover letter
  • Summer: Obtain an internship or employment in desired career field
 
Parent’s Role
  • Advise your student to meet with a counselor at TDU's Career Development Center
  • Discuss career and major choices with your student and point out possible benefits and drawbacks
  • Teach your student how to network with their current list of acquaintances
  • Help your student be successful in finding summer employment or internship opportunities related to their career choice
 
JUNIOR

Student’s Role
  • Check in with your academic advisor to map out your future coursework
  • Make sure your resume is updated, current, and professional
  • Attend a career fair or event hosted by TDU
  • Polish your interviewing skills
  • Research professional and graduate schools
  • Seek leadership opportunities
  • Summer: Obtain an internship or employment in desired career field while honing professional skills
 
Parent’s Role
  • Discuss your student's career goals and objectives with them
  • Follow up on Career Development Center appointments
  • Be aware of their academic plan for the upcoming semesters
  • Encourage them to become involved in leadership activities
  • Talk with your students about their career goals and alternative plans they may be making
  • Encourage your student to attend an event hosted by TDU
  • Help create a networking list
  • Be supportive of their career choices
 

SENIOR

Student’s Role
  • Final meeting with advisor to ensure graduation requirements will be met
  • Meet with your TDU's Career Development Center counselor
  • Update resume with recent job, internship, volunteer, or professional development entries
  • Attend multiple TDU hosted events
  • Network with faculty, advisors, counselors, and professionals
  • Seek reference resources such as administrators, counselors, and faculty
  • Investigate in employment opportunities
  • Apply to graduate/professional school (if applicable)
  • Successfully complete coursework
  • Join extra curricular activities geared toward professional goals
  • Attend any professional development courses offered through TDU or locally
 
Parent’s Role
  • Discuss your student's post-graduation plans
  • Research solutions to any possible hurdles or concerns
  • Suggest attending TDU events
  • Assist in job searches and researching positions
  • Be supportive of your student's decisions

REMEMBER!

Terra Dotta's Career Development Center is here to assist you and your student every step of the way.  Stay involved with your student's development throughout their academic career.  Interests may (and probably will!) change and the Career Development Center can help your student find and succeed on their individualized career path.