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Career Plan

4 Year Career Plan

Your Career Starts Now!  Figuring out what to do after college can be intimidating, but planning early and getting help can make all the difference.  Take a look at our 4 Year Career Plan. We'll get you moving and keep you going in the right direction!  Use the lists below as a checklist to make sure you are making progress toward an internship, entry-level job, or grad school.

First Year

Prepare

  • Check out How Do I Decide On A Major information on choosing or changing a major.
  • Talk with a career counselor about possible interest areas and career direction.
  • Take courses that will help you decide if your major is a good fit with your values, beliefs and abilities when it comes to a career.
  • Explore our website to find internships and jobs offered through TDU’s Career Services.

Participate

  • Take advantage of opportunities on and off-campus to gain leadership and teamwork skills through activities and organizations.
  • Create a resume and cover letter using the online guide and fine tune it with a career counselor.
  • Attend a career fair to learn about different career paths and make contact with professionals.
  • Take advantage of an experiential learning opportunity such as internship, co-op, externship, research, or volunteer work relevant to your area of interest.

Sophomore Year

Prepare

  • Update and fine tune your resume and cover letter.
  • Complete a career profile for Career Services to better assist you.
  • Conduct a practice interview with a friend, employer, or a career counselor.
  • Choose courses that will help you make your career decision.

Participate

  • Attend career fairs and events to learn about internships and co-ops.
  • Speak with employers about future opportunities.  Collect business cards where possible.
  • Gain career-related experience through an internship, co-op, externship, research, or volunteer opportunity.
  • Set up a job shadowing experience with a professional in a career of interest.

Junior Year

Prepare

  • Update and fine tune your resume and cover letter.
  • Conduct a practice interview with a friend, employer, or a career counselor.
  • Research application deadlines and test information if you are thinking about graduate school.
  • Set up an appointment with a career counselor to discuss career strategies.

Participate

  • Attend career fairs and events to learn about internships and co-ops.
  • Gain career-related experience through an internship, co-op, research, or volunteer opportunity.
  • Become active in a campus or community organization or activity to strengthen skills in leadership,  teamwork, and problem solving.
  • Develop relationships with faculty and employers to use as references.
  • Explore with faculty in your major the possibility of helping with research projects.
  • Develop networking skills attending career events and practicing with a career counselor.

Senior Year

Prepare

  • Update and fine tune your resume and cover letter.
  • Contact and create a list of three references.
  • Discuss your job search strategies with your career counselor.
  • Applying to grad school? Follow individual program guidelines and deadlines.
  • Schedule GRE and other admissions exams.
  • Practice your interviewing skills with a career counselor.
  • Be sure all of your social networking sites are professional.  Employers may check.

Participate

  • Begin your active job search at least one semester prior to graduation.
  • Attend all campus career fairs and events to learn about entry-level jobs.
  • Apply for posted jobs and on-campus interviews.