4-Year Career Plan

First Year

General Activities:

• Get to know faculty, counselors and staff
• Start personal development by participating in campus activities and/or volunteer service
• Learn to work effectively with others
• Talk with professionals to learn about career options
• Secure summer work and establish excellent work habits

Work with Career Services:

• Consider taking the career assessment
• Read academic major profiles to learn about MU majors
• Use resources in the career library and on the OCS website to explore career options
  
• Develop a list summarizing activities and experiences
  
• Write your first college résumé

Sophomore Year

General Activities:

• Evaluate work values and current skill levels
  
• Explore and determine preliminary major/career choice
  
• Continue talking with professionals to learn about career options
  
• Seek leadership roles through campus activities or volunteer service
  
• Secure summer work and continue building a good work reputation
  
• Develop professional skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication
  

Work with Career Services:

• Take the career assessment or talk with a career counselor
  
• Participate in the Career Network Program to do information interviews
  
• Explore career options in the career library and on the OCS website
  
• Update your list of activities and experiences and/or résumé

Junior Year

General Activities:

• Attend a professional conference
  
• Join campus organizations, activities and professional organizations in your chosen field
  
• Take electives and special problems courses to enhance qualifications
  
• Experience internships, practicum and work in your chosen career field
  
• Network with professionals in your selected career field
  
• Develop a list of potential employers
  

Work with Career Services:

• Use career resources in the career library and on the OCS website to explore alternative career plans
  
• Read job vacancy newsletters and browse websites to heighten awareness of positions
  
• Attend workshops and seminars
  
• Update or write a résumé from your list of activities and experiences
  
• Investigate graduate school options
  
• Attend job fairs

Senior Year

General Activities:

• Discuss career plans with faculty and counselors
  
• Collect references from faculty and employers
  
• Plan and implement job search or graduate school campaign
  

Work with Career Services:

• Finalize résumé and develop a cover letter
  
• Complete an mock interview
  
• Participate in on-campus interviewing (if appropriate)
  
• Attend job fairs
  
• Regularly check Spartan Jobs and search websites
  
• Research companies which offer the type of work you seek
  
• Network with friends, family and people employed in your field
  
• Visit company websites for information about job vacancies
  
• Email or mail resumes and cover letters to employers for actual openings
  
• Contact targeted employers, inquiring about possible openings