Career Planning for A&S Students

This guide is set up specifically for Arts & Sciences students, alumni, and faculty. Career planning is important at every stage of your college career, not just for seniors.  Early career planning will allow you to select a major or minor relevant to your field of interest, polish your resume to get that summer job or internship, or prepare you for the graduate school or job search process.

We encourage you to discuss your career interests with your advisor, faculty, staff, or other people working in the fields you want to explore.  We also urge you to take advantage of the services offered by Career Development.

Explore Possible Careers

Please use the professional resources on the right or the links below to explore possible careers.  You may also wish to talk to your advisor, faculty in your department, or make an appointment with a career counselor.  

• What can I do with a major in?
• Academic Exploration Resources
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Interest Inventories 
• Career Events
• Additional Resources

Set Goals & Develop Your Experience

• Set Career Goals (be flexible)
     - What are your personal and professional goals?
     - What do you need to do to achieve those goals?
• Gain Experience Relevant to Your Goals
     - Volunteer (See also: Learn & Serve)
     - Internships & Co-ops (See also: Cooperative Education) 
     - Research / Presentations
• Research the Requirements Necessary for Your Career/Graduate program
     - Do you need certain courses, credentials or experiences?
     - Do you need a certain undergraduate major/minor, or graduate degree(s)?
     - Do you need certain graduate exams to get into graduate school?

Gain Career Skills (Career Development can help you refine your skills).

• Resume Writing
• Cover Letters
• References 
     - Always ask your references, before listing them on your resume.
     - Log into FERPA on myNU (Alumni click here) to give permission for your references to discuss your record.
     - Talk to your references or give them a copy of your resume so they know all that you do. 
• Credential Files
• Interview Skills
     - Practice by scheduling a mock interview with Career Development.
• Request an Official Transcript

Job Search Resources

• Searching for Jobs
• On Campus Interviews

Graduate School Resources

• Preparing for Graduate Exams
• Niagara's Graduate Programs
  • NU Graduate Classes
  • 5 Year Programs
  • NU Graduate Programs
• Other Programs