Give yourself an advantage over those who think they can wait until their senior year to “get serious about figuring out a career.” Steps taken during your first three years in college will go a long way in helping you to clarify career goals and build a competitive resume or application for graduate or professional school. Use the following timeline as a guide to map out a four-year plan…you’ll be glad you did when you feel in control – and on the right track – when searching for a job during your senior year!
- When you are a FRESHMAN, you should EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS
- When you are a SOPHOMORE, you should EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS
- When you are a JUNIOR, you should ENHANCE QUALIFICATIONS
- When you are a SENIOR you should EXECUTE AN EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH
Expand Your Horizons by:
- Opening yourself up to all the new people, ideas, and experiences you will encounter on and off campus.
- Joining at least one campus organization and vowing to become an active member.
- Positioning yourself for academic success: studying hard, obtaining tutoring if needed, and getting to know your academic advisors, who are a great resource for suggesting courses that will help you develop skills or explore career interest areas.
- Thinking about a summer exploratory experience…you may need to work part-time or volunteer before you’ll be considered for career-focused internships.
- Talking to alumni and others who majored in what you plan to major in. How did the major fit with their first job after graduation?
- Investigating options for studying abroad while completing your Ohio State degree.
During your time at Ohio State, you should also be sure to:
- Learn how to write a really good resume and cover letter and interview effectively.
- Keep abreast of career events sponsored by your college, department, and the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office.
- Get in the habit of seeking out opportunities early. Many internships, summer career immersion programs, and job postings have application deadlines that are well in advance of the actual start date.
- Collect letters of recommendation for applications to prestigious internships or fellowships, graduate or professional schools, or other programs. If you’re planning on applying to graduate or professional degree programs, you are encouraged to set up an account with Interfolio.
- Cultivate a career network. Keep in touch with former supervisors, faculty, and individuals you meet through family, friends, and campus clubs – anyone who can help when you are searching for internships or employment.
Explore Career Options by:
- Visiting the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office during Autumn Qtr and registering for FutureLink. Registrants receive announcements about posted internships, career events, and recommended resources.
- Exploring companies, government agencies, and other organizations that you think would be interesting places to work after graduation.
- Completing an internship. The Arts and Sciences Career Services staff can assist with finding an internship related to your career goals.
- Enrolling in ASC 400.01, a career planning seminar that helps students identify career fields relating to their interests, skills, personality, and values.
- Conducting "informational interviews" or shadowing professionals to learn about career options.
- Checking out the career assessment services available at Career Connection.
- Meeting with faculty during open office hours: What advice can they offer given your career goals?
- Join the student chapters affiliated with the professional associations in your field(s) of interest.
- Reviewing the books in the Career Library in 48 Townshend.
- Considering whether a masters or doctoral degree will be needed for your chosen career path.
During your time at Ohio State, you should also be sure to:
- Learn how to write a really good resume and cover letter and interview effectively.
- Keep abreast of career events sponsored by your college, department, and the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office.
- Get in the habit of seeking out opportunities early. Many internships, summer career immersion programs, and job postings have application deadlines that are well in advance of the actual start date.
- Collect letters of recommendation for applications to prestigious internships or fellowships, graduate or professional schools, or other programs. If you’re planning on applying to graduate or professional degree programs, you are encouraged to set up an account with Interfolio.
- Cultivate a career network. Keep in touch with former supervisors, faculty, and individuals you meet through family, friends, and campus clubs – anyone who can help when you are searching for internships or employment.
Enhance Qualifications by:
- Continuing to be active on campus…assume leadership roles and expand your network of contacts.
- Updating your resume, having it reviewed, and posting current versions on FutureLink.
- Completing a second internship will make your resume stand out.
- Determining if there are other resume builders, aside from internships, that are recommended for someone with your career goals.
- Taking a course or training seminar to improve upon the skills desired by employers (e.g., writing, public speaking, problem-solving).
- Attending career fairs and employer information sessions to meet recruiters who hire for the positions in which you’re interested. What tips do they have for how you can enhance your experiences/resume?
During your time at Ohio State, you should also be sure to:
- Learn how to write a really good resume and cover letter and interview effectively.
- Keep abreast of career events sponsored by your college, department, and the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office.
- Get in the habit of seeking out opportunities early. Many internships, summer career immersion programs, and job postings have application deadlines that are well in advance of the actual start date.
- Collect letters of recommendation for applications to prestigious internships or fellowships, graduate or professional schools, or other programs. If you’re planning on applying to graduate or professional degree programs, you are encouraged to set up an account with Interfolio.
- Cultivate a career network. Keep in touch with former supervisors, faculty, and individuals you meet through family, friends, and campus clubs – anyone who can help when you are searching for internships or employment.
Execute an effective job search by:
- Planning to apply and interview for jobs 4-6 months before you graduate.
- Brushing up on your interviewing skills by scheduling a mock interview.
- Interviewing on campus, many recruiters only visit in the fall…so, don’t miss out!
- Attending campus career fairs and employer information sessions; check the Career Events Calendar on a weekly basis.
- Updating your resume on a quarterly basis and posting current versions on FutureLink.
- Narrowing the list of employers who you want to target: Which of these employers is not recruiting on campus?
- Meeting with a Career Advisor to plan a strategic job search, including assistance with submitting your resume to employers who are not recruiting on campus.
- Networking! Do not rely solely on the Arts and Science Career Services Office to find a job. Let all your contacts know that you are looking for entry-level employment, providing key contacts with a copy of your resume.
During your time at Ohio State, you should also be sure to:
- Learn how to write a really good resume and cover letter and interview effectively.
- Keep abreast of career events sponsored by your college, department, and the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office.
- Get in the habit of seeking out opportunities early. Many internships, summer career immersion programs, and job postings have application deadlines that are well in advance of the actual start date.
- Collect letters of recommendation for applications to prestigious internships or fellowships, graduate or professional schools, or other programs. If you’re planning on applying to graduate or professional degree programs, you are encouraged to set up an account with Interfolio.
- Cultivate a career network. Keep in touch with former supervisors, faculty, and individuals you meet through family, friends, and campus clubs – anyone who can help when you are searching for internships or employment.
