Career Management

The Philosophy Of Career Management
Career management isn't something you do just once, or only during college. It is a lifelong activity. It certainly involves identifying what you like to do and where you might like to do it, creating a resume, learning to interview, and so forth. But it also involves getting to know yourself--how you learn, what kinds of environments are most congruent with your personality, the types of people you are most intrinsically comfortable being around, and many other similar concepts.

The skills you learn now will serve you for years to come. Below you will find a brief description of how we see the process broken down into two segments:

Freshman & Sophomores:
Choose a major and investigate career options:

1. Schedule an appointment with Career Services to discuss possible career options.
2. Use the career guidance computer system, Focus II, to explore interests, abilities, and work values, and to develop a list of occupations to explore (available in Career Services).
3. Take interest inventories such as the Campbell Interest and Skills Survey or the Strong Interest Inventory. Call Career Services for an appointment.
4. Get the "What Can I Do With A Major In ______?" sheets in areas that interest you. These sheets are in the racks outside Career Services. Use Focus II or the Occupational Outlook Handbook in print or online to investigate the job titles.
5. Check out the Career Services resource library for books on various jobs and majors.
6. Explore courses you are interested in and talk to academic advisors about the majors you are considering.
7. Surf the net in your major. Stop by Career Services for some ideas about sites.
8. Consider scheduling an "Informational Interview" with a professional in your area of interest. A sheet describing the process of informational interviewing is available in Career Services.
9. Volunteer your time. You may not have a lot of free time, but a few hours a month to a cause you are interested in may help you think about a major or career.

Gain work experience:

1. Seek a part-time or summer job to explore careers and gain valuable experience.
2. For on-campus jobs, contact the HR (Personnel) office, Addison Hall 136, 708-209-3528.
3. For off-campus jobs, see job boards in lower level KCC and in the Early Childhood Center.
4. To apply for a part-time position, you may need a resume. Attend a resume writing workshop, develop your resume, and have it critiqued by the Career Services staff.

Develop qualities and skills that will help get you hired upon graduation:

1. Develop good study skills, concentrate on academics, and keep your grades up!
2. Build your skills by joining campus organizations, sports teams, or community groups or organizations.
3. Learn to see a need, and volunteer to fill it, without being asked. Be self-directed!

Juniors & Seniors
Continue in your major and start planning your job search
(Also see Freshman/Sophomore for other activities that may be helpful for you now.)

• Confirm your remaining degree requirements with the Academic Advising staff -- avoid surprises.
• Attend a Professional Experience (Internship) Workshop and arrange an internship related to your major.
• Research job options in the field of your career choice.
• Discuss career options with Career Services staff and your professors.
• Consider where you would like to live after graduation.
• Get an overview of the Job Search Process by attending the Job Search Strategy Workshop offered by Career Services.
• If you're a Senior, attend the Senior Group Meeting in September or January.
• Develop tools to use in your job search by attending the following workshops offered by Career Services: Resume Writing, Cover Letter Writing, and Interview Skills.
• Read through the Resume Writing and Interview Skills guides available in Brohm 151.
• Write your resume and have it reviewed by Career Services staff.
• Once your resume is completed, Seniors can meet individually with the Director of Career Services to set individualized job search strategies and goals.
• Select and meet with the people who will be your references.
• Prepare for Graduate School - Get Admission information and sign-up for GRE or other admission tests. Apply to Graduate Schools.
• Provide leadership in campus and community organizations.
• Make a list of prospective employers and research them.
• Create a list of sources (family, friends, past employers, acquaintances.) Contact sources (network) in the career area you will pursue after graduation.
• Attend Career and Job Fairs.
• Make follow-up phone-calls after sending resume.
• Send Thank-you notes after interviews.
• Report interviews and job offers to Career Services to keep us up-to-date.

Celebrate that new job with a note or call to all your networking contacts regarding your new position.