4 Year Career Plan
Year 1: Self-Assessment, Questioning, and Career Planning Activities
Collect, analyze and evaluate information about yourself to develop a career position consistent with your personality, abilities, values, interests, education, past work and life experiences. Talk to faculty, advisors, counselors, administrators, and friends. Read a variety of career and business publications. Explore exercises, projects, and psychological tests to narrow down your career interests. Use your degree plan electives to take courses in areas of interest to you. Complete a computerized guidance program (offered at Career Services).
- Meet your UCS liaison
- Get started building your resume
- Get involved in student organizations, volunteer work and extra-curricular activities
- Take the FOCUS career assessment to verify you are in the correct major for your career path and/or help you choose a career path that is right for you
- Take the StrengthsQuest assessment to find out ways to use your own personal strengths to help you succeed in classroom and professional development
- Log in to RaiderJobs and start exploring companies and jobs of interest to you
- Watch the UCS Calendar of Events and plan to attend a few of interest
Become active in campus activities that will help you become familiar with career options. Register with Career Services and become familiar with their services.
Year 2: Career Exploration and Investigation Activities
Develop a file of information about specific careers and narrow your potential career options down. Accumulate and analyze information about the world of work, office politics, corporate culture, and workforce diversity. Participate in Career Day programs. Create your resume, make contact lists, prepare a cover letter and investigate various job search strategies. Have a career counselor review your materials. Consider internships, co-ops, and summer jobs.
- Have your UCS liaison review and edit your resume
- Begin exploring internship opportunities
- If you are still unsure about your career path, take the Strong Interest Inventory career assessment and schedule an appointment to meet with a liaison to discuss your results
- Continue to join student organizations and engage in volunteer opportunities
- Continue to actively participate in special events offered by UCS
Year 3: Gaining Career Experiences and Making Decisions
Explore cooperative education opportunities in your field. Check with Career Services for on-campus interview schedules and employer listings. Be a leader on campus. Review and update your resume and job search correspondence. Start asking past employers and professors to serve as references. Practice your interview skills. Attend workshops on resumes, cover letters, and the interview process. Review alternative career plans. Network! Network! Network!
- Update your resume and upload a current version to RaiderJobs
- Schedule a mock interview with your UCS liaison to practice for internship interviews
- Begin applying for internship opportunities, as well as researching graduate schools and entrance exams
- Attend a career fair to research companies, internships and graduate school opportunities
- Take leadership positions in your organizations
- Begin networking with companies your third year, because many of the same recruiters will recruit you during your fourth year
Year 4: Job Search/Transition to Work Activities
Update your resume frequently. Register with Career Services early in the year. Put your job search campaign in high gear. Schedule interviews on campus and on-site with as many employers as possible. Discuss career opportunities with faculty and counselors, friends and acquaintances. Keep your career planning log updated with interview results and assessments of your performance during interviews. Consider and review job offers. Accept the job that best fits your career and professional needs. Develop a log of topics that you need to address if making your transition from college to the working world. Perform efficiently, learn corporate culture and move up!
- Update your resume and upload a current version to RaiderJobs
- Schedule a mock interview with your UCS liaison to practice for job interviews
- Begin applying for job opportunities
- Attend as many UCS events as possible to gain information about applying for jobs and how to get ready for the workplace
- Attend the career fairs to make company contacts and apply for open positions
- Check RaiderJobs to sign up for on-campus interviews and apply for jobs online
- Remember to report your hire through RaiderJobs after you land your dream job!
Please call Career Services at (806) 742-2210 to make an appointment with a counselor if you need any more help.
University Career Services, Box 45006, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone Number: 806.742.2210, Fax Number: 806.742.2474