Stages of Career Development

THROUGH THE COLLEGE YEARS

  • Check out the Carroll College Career Services website
  • Visit the Career Services Office
  • Start to explore various majors and get to know faculty
  • Join one or possibly two organizations where they can get involved, begin networking and explore activities they enjoy
  • Get the best grades they can
  • Consider taking the one-credit Career Development and Life Planning course that begins in October immediately after fall break and is offered again each spring semester.
  • Attend the Career Fair, offered in April each year

Sophomore Year: Begin to Focus

  • Identify interests, skills, work values
  • Develop preliminary goals
  • Create an initial resume
  • Seek out summer jobs that are of interest
  • Begin to explore possible internship opportunities through the Internship openings board and Internship Section on the Career Services webpage, as well as through faculty and academic departments
  • Investigate study abroad experiences available to Carroll College students
  • Consider taking the one-credit Career Development and Life Planning course that begins immediately after fall break and spring break if s/he is still fuzzy about a career direction
  • Attend one of the "How to Land Your Ideal Internship" workshops offered only during Internship week which occurs early in the spring semester
  • Meet with our Internship Coordinator to begin making plans to land a great internship during junior year.
  • Attend the Career Fair, offered in April each year

Junior Year: Take Action

  • Become immersed in academic major
  • Revise resume; begin to create C.V. if considering grad school
  • Attend one of the "How to Land Your Ideal Internship" workshops offered only during Internship week which occurs early in the spring semester if not attended last year
  • Take an internship
  • Find ways to gain good experience: take on leadership roles in their activities
  • Investigate graduate school and/or career options for their major
  • Attend one of the workshops on "Successful Graduate School Application," which are offered only during fall semester
  • Attend the Graduate School Fair, offered in October each year
  • Prepare for and schedule graduate school exams
  • Conduct research in the Career Resource Library on graduate schools, internships, or the job search process
  • Attend the Career Fair, offered in April each year
  • Register for the Job Campaign Class--a one credit class that teaches students how to navigate the job search; offered each spring semester.

Senior Year: The Time is Now

  • Register for the Job Campaign Class if not taken during Junior year--a one credit class that teaches students how to navigate the job search; offered each spring semester.
  • Finalize resume—-targeting appropriate job goal, or finalize C.V. for grad school
  • Attend the various events and workshops offered by Career Services such as Graduate School Fair, offered in October each year, Career Fair, offered in April each year, and the various workshops offered on a regular basis
  • Conduct research with the staff of tghe Career Services office on employers and job search issues
  • View videotapes in the CRL on variety of job search topics
  • Attend any alumni special events [including Homecoming related events] that may occur on campus in order to build a network
  • Create a timeline and plan for the graduate school application process or for transitioning into the job market after graduation

Moments when REALITY steps in

The steps indicated in the THROUGH THE COLLEGE YEARS section outline the ideal process that students should take, but keep in mind that “ideal” does not reflect reality.

Students often postpone their decisions, sometimes because they are not ready. Often, though, they do not want to take the time to do it--after all--they do not earn academic credit for it so they may not perceive the value of activities for which they do not receive a grade. It is important that you as the parent are there to encourage them to get the process moving as soon as possible. But also to be their #1 source of encouragement along the way.