Student Career Timeline

Freshman Year

Meet with a member of the Career Development staff to establish a working relationship and to discuss any concerns.
Take a variety of courses to help you select your major or minor.
Begin establishing good rapport with professors, as some may be able to serve as references when you are pursuing internships and jobs later on.
Focus on getting the grades you'll need to compete for jobs and graduate school.
Join organizations and become actively involved. Seek a variety of volunteer and leadership opportunities. These may all be included on your resume.
Investigate experiential learning opportunities (i.e. internships, externships).
Investigate career fields that interest you through the Career Development website, the Career Development Resource Library, or other resources (i.e. Internet).
Attend job and career fairs to become familiar with the job market and to become comfortable speaking with employers.
Shadow various professionals in careers that interest you. Tap into the Exceptional Connections network for help in identifying potential mentors and job shadowing sites.

Select and declare your major (if haven't already) and revisit assessments if necessary.
Begin compiling additional samples of your work to include in your career portfolio.
Begin work on your resume and cover letter.
Begin to develop your list of references. Always ask for permission before using someone as a reference.
Establish a FREE account with Career Development's resume and referral system, College Central Network.
Become familiar with the internship process for your academic department (i.e. forms, deadlines, GPA requirements).
Research and apply for internships or summer/part time jobs that can provide marketable skills. Consider pursuing an internship in Washington, DC. Ask us about The Washington Center! They offer internships for all majors.
Explore opportunities to study abroad through the Center for Global Education.
Sign up for BUS 243 -Exploring and Evaluating Life Options.

Continue updating your resume and cover letter.
Check out on-campus and off-campus recruiting events each semester (interviews; mock interviews; TGIF Job, Internship and Career Expo; Career Fest; and Stark County Collegiate Job Fair).
Update your career portfolio.
Continue to develop rapport with professors and update your reference list.
Sign up for BUS 343 - Pursuing Personal Life/Career Plans.
Research and apply for career related internships and summer jobs. Again, don’t forget The Washington Center!
Attend job fairs for practice or to find internships.
Become a leader in a student or volunteer organization.
Begin to formalize your network of professors, employers, alumni, friends, and family by discussing career plans and seeking advice. Use Exceptional Connections for help making more contacts.

If applicable

Continue to update your resume and career portfolio.
Schedule an appointment to plan your job search strategy. Fall appointments are optimal, but any time before Spring Break is good.
Re-evaluate your values, interests, skills and goals especially as they relate to job options and potential employers. Develop a list of organizations that you may like to work for after graduation. Think big - there are thousands of employers out there!
Request a mid-year and a final GPA (major and overall) from the Registrar's Office
Sign up for BUS 343 - Pursuing Personal Life/Career Plans if you haven’t already taken it.
Buy interview attire (or put on your Christmas list).
Continue networking with new and former contacts.
Schedule as many on campus recruiting interviews as meet your professional goals.
Apply for jobs and year-long internships and fellowships. You don’t have to wait until graduation to apply for jobs!
Attend advertised job fairs. Check with Career Development each semester for dates and locations.

If applicable