The Four-Year Plan:  Are you on the right path?

Career planning is the process of identifying your interests, skills and values while tying them to appropriate career options. It is a process that must develop over time, so it's never too early to begin. Career planning in college is somewhat individual and doesn't happen exactly the same way for everyone, but the following steps are essential to making good career decisions:

Why plan?

Engaging in career planning is smart because it:

• helps you learn about yourself
• eases your anxiety about your future
• makes choosing the right major easier
• helps you best use your college years to build relevant skills
• puts you in a position to make good choices about
• internships and other work experiences
• allows you to focus your energy on finding a job that's right for you

The Center for Career Planning (CCP) is the office on campus that can help you with your career planning by providing career resources, programs, contacts, and individualized career counseling.

Year 1 - Discover Yourself
Get in touch with your talents

Career planning begins with you. Without exploring your interests, skills, and values, it is difficult to select a major, choose an internship, or conduct a job search. Here are some ways to uncover your interests and capabilities:

• Select elective courses that interest you
• Take some career and personality inventories
• Get involved in one or two campus activities
• Get feedback from family and friends
• Attend career exploration programs
• Talk to faculty and your advisor

Year 2 - Explore Career Options
Discover the possibilities

Most students have limited knowledge about what kinds of careers exist. Take time to explore career options early so you can be strategic about gaining the skills that will prepare you for your chosen field.

• Research careers using the resource library
• Talk to upper class students about their majors
• Explore the CCP website
• Use community service work to explore career options
• Attend programs sponsored by the CCP
• Tap into alumni

Year 3 - Gain Experience
Build skills and develop a professional network

Employers look for students who have had some work or leadership experience while in college.

• Gain experience through an internship
• Assume active leadership roles
• Join academic organizations and honoraries
• Talk to people in your career field
• Use class assignments to explore career-related issues
• Seek additional responsibilities in your work study job
• Participate in a research project
• Find out about study abroad and out-of-state internship opportunities
• Participate in networking events

Year 4 - Prepare Your Job Search
Build job search skills and connect with opportunities

It is essential that you take an active rather than a passive approach to your job search. You can't sit back and wait for employers to call you.

• Craft an impressive resume and cover letter
• Research potential employers
• Use your networking contacts
• Attend a job fair: CareerFest or TeachOhio
• Register on Cardinal Careers
• Attend senior programs
• Over prepare for interviews
• Take BADM380
• Assemble an interview portfolio