Career Development Timetable

Freshman Year (Inquiry and Awareness)

• Begin to clarify your career interests through classes, student organizations, and community service
• Make initial choice of major
• Begin to consider career fields in relation to your tentative academic major
• Explore careers using Discover, a user-friendly computer-based guidance system, available by contacting the career development office
• Take part in career programs offered through the residence halls or sponsored by student groups
• Talk to individuals already employed about careers related to your interests
• Visit the career development office and pick up a Get Hired handbook to begin preparing a resume
• Obtain part-time and summer jobs to develop interpersonal skills, help finance your education, and build responsible work habits

Sophomore Year (Assessment and Exploration)

• Begin self-assessment by compiling interests, strengths, skills, abilities and values, using the Discover program and other inventories, available by contacting the Office of Career Development
• Make an appointment with the career counselor in the OCD to disucss career plans
• Explore preliminary major/career choices
• Maintain a good GPA
• Research specific occupations, collect information on training needed, demand for jobs, alternatives, etc.
• Gain exposure to the world-of-work through employment or volunteer experience
• Get information about participating in a cooperative education work experience, which enables you to receive valuable on-the-job training in your major, while earning money and academic credit
• Utilize work experience to further develop work-related skills and improve self-confidence

Junior Year (Testing Career Decision)

• Test your interest and qualifications to work in specific career field(s) by applying for a cooperative education experience, internship, part-time job, or volunteer position
• Join campus organizations related to your field
• Investigate the role of graduate school in your chosen career field by attending the Annual Graduate and Professional Schools Fair and/or the Greater Western New York Law School Fair
• Make an appointment to meet with a graduate school advisor (health professions, law, or general)
• Pick up application materials for graduate school examination (GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and MAT)
• Submit resume for critique to the OCD to prepare for on-campus recruiting in your senior year
• Attend career fairs to find co-op, part-time, summer employment and to meet and network with job recruiters

Senior Year (Job Search)

• Continue plans for graduate school
• Visit the career development office and pick up a Career Information Packet, containing valuable job search information and strategies
• Submit copies of critiqued resume for on-campus interviews with visiting job recruiters
• Make an appointment for a practice interview, with the option of videotaping, to critique interviewing skills
• Set up a credentials file, containing letters of reference, copy of transcript and other credentials (primarily for education majors)
• Attend Get Hired month events, such as the Dress for Success Fashion Show, the Dining for Success Etiquette Dinner and the guest speaker presentation to sharpen professional skills
• Attend senior transition seminar to prepare you for "Life After Niagara"
• Attend career and job fairs to network with job recruiters and Get Hired!