The career development process is just that, a process. It will take time and effort on your part, but can be extremely rewarding if you are subsequently able to identify and pursue a career you love. Don’t wait until your junior year to begin thinking about occupations and the skills you’ll need to succeed! Employers and graduate schools will want to see that you have been involved and developed relevant skills throughout your college career. During your years at Binghamton take full advantage of every opportunity to explore career choices and build your résumé. The following is a suggested list of activities to pursue during each year of study. We also recommend speaking with a career counselor to help clarify your goals and begin mapping out an action plan!
Freshman (Discovery & Awareness)
- Stop in to CDC in LSG500 and ask a Peer Assistant about services and resources
- Visit CDC’s webpage: http://cdc.binghamton.edu
- Assess your interests, skills and values with a career counselor
- Begin using eRecruiting, CDC’s web-based recruiting and career information system to learn about different career fields
- Find student employment opportunities through eRecruiting
- Meet with a career counselor during Counselor-on-Call to discuss possible majors and career options that fit your interests, personality and values
- Improve your writing skills (a skill employers want most)
- Participate in a club, group or on a team; take responsibility for an activity within that organization
- Gain self-awareness by volunteering in an activity of interest
- Explore summer job opportunities to develop new skills
- Use the Alumni Career Network to see what Binghamton alumni have done with various majors
- Plan for internships and overseas programs in your academic program by visiting Study Abroad located???
- Prepare a first résumé using Optimal Resume
- Take courses that reflect your interests
- Talk with upper class students about their major
- Attend CDC programs of interest and Employer information sessions to learn more about their company
Sophomore (Assessment & Exploration)
- Meet with a career counselor during Counselor-on-Call to narrow down choices of majors
- Seek a part-time job or volunteer in an area related to your interests
- Continue career exploration through the CDC’s Library Resources and internet resources
- Run for office or seek a leadership role in a club or organization of interest
- Have your résumé critiqued at the CDC/create a résumé using Optimal Resume
- Interview three individuals working in fields of interest; use the Alumni Career Network and the Networking and Informational Interviewing Quick Reference Guide to assist
- Obtain a summer job or internship to test a career interest
- Job shadow an alum in a career field of interest
- Attend CDC’s Job & Internship Fair each semester
- Practice interviewing skills for the employment or graduate school interview
- Open a credentials file in CDC and start adding letters of recommendation to your file
- Consider studying abroad during your junior year
- If you have a major, join at least one professional organization associated with it to make contact with and learn more about the career field
- Keep your grades up
- Make an effort to get to know one or two professors
- Participate in classes and in department activities
Junior (Testing Career Decisions)
- Ensure that your academic program meets course requirements in the major and includes flexibility for added courses such as computer applications, languages, or technical writing
- Meet with a career counselor during Counselor-on-Call to set goals and develop an action plan for your career path
- Job shadow an alum in a career of your choice; talk with more alumni to develop a network
- Gather letters of reference for your credentials file
- Participate in another career-related work, internship or volunteer experience to expand your skills
- Revise and fine-tune your résumé and learn interviewing skills in CDC’s programs
- Explore employment options at the Job & Internship Fair each semester
- Research Graduate School and financial assistance; prepare for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT
- Utilize eRecruiting, CDC’s web-based recruiting system to identify internships and career fields
- Study abroad
- Get involved with research opportunities through your academic department
- Practice interviewing skills for an internship and future employment/graduate school through CDC programs.
- Research graduate schools or employers in fields of interest
- Continue or expand leadership activities in organizations
Senior (Job Search/Grad School Decisions)
- Participate in CDC’s special events: Job & Internship Fairs, Grad Fair and Law Day, Nursing Forum, Mock Interviews and Etiquette Dinner
- Meet with a career counselor during Counselor-on-Call to discuss where to begin with your job search or graduate school application process
- Gather letters of reference for your credentials file
- Learn job search skills in CDC’s programs to implement a proactive job search
- Have your résumé and cover letter critiqued and participate in mock interviews via the X-cel Center
- Take graduate admissions tests
- Use eRecruiting, CDC’s web-based recruiting system to apply for positions and participate in On-Campus Recruiting
- Network with people in your field of interest by attending on and off campus events and using the Alumni Career Network
- Apply to graduate schools
- Practice interviewing skills for the employment or graduate school interview through CDC programs
Academics
- Choose a major you enjoy and do well in
- Choose electives wisely
- Enrich with research, independent study, field work, study abroad
- Participate in classes and in department activities
- Keep your grades up
Extracurricular
- Explore interests and develop a history of involvement
- Explore interests and develop a history of involvement
- Be an intern or volunteer
- Seek leadership positions
- Become involved in committees and other team work
Personal
- Develop effective self management skills
- Be active, not passive
- Take risks to stretch skills
- Take the initiative
- Seek opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds
- Recognize opportunity