4 STAGES OF CAREER PLANNING

Berry College Career Center | Krannert 310 | 706.236.2292 | www.berry.edu/stulife/career

Assess your Personality and Interests; Explore Majors - Take interest and personality inventories at the Career Center- Use the Career Center website and FOCUS 2 to explore and research various academic majors- Get involved with campus and volunteer organizations- Make an appointment with the Career Center to explore your interests, skills and values- Attend the annual Majors Fair and take a variety of courses to explore academic fields- Complete Plan4Ward on Viking Web to gain a full picture of your time at Berry- Interviews with upperclassmen and faculty to learn about majors and programs

Assess

1

Choose a Major; Research Options

- Meet with Career Center to draft your resume and explore career options and resources- Secure a student work position that relates to your career aspirations- Research and compare academic areas, career fields, and professional requirements- Attend career-related programs and events on various career topics- Use LinkedIn to develop a network for career exploration with faculty, alumni, and employers- Talk with the Internship Coordinator, explore internship possibilities and apply early- Plan to have a leadership role in a campus organization- Find a summer job, internship, or shadowing opportunity that relates to your interests

Explore

2

Set Goals; Evaluate Career Options; Develop Skills - Review academic and career plans to ensure you have appropriate courses, experience, and research - Seek advice from faculty and the Career Center to further explore career options- Join professional organizations in your field of interest- Develop time management and interpersonal skills in campus work positions and organizations- Complete an internship, conduct research with a faculty member, or volunteer in the community to gain significant career-related experience- Revise your resume or CV to incorporate experiences and skills relevant to aspirations- Use College Central Network to research and apply to internships and jobs- Conduct informational interviews with career professionals to explore employment options- Attend Career Center programs and career fairs, network with employers- Research graduate programs and professional schools, attend the Graduate School Fair- Take a free graduate admissions practice test online to know how to plan your study strategy

Experience

3

Develop Post-Grad Plans, Market yourself

- Begin your job search and/or graduate school application process early- Work with faculty, advisors, and Career Center for advice as you transition from Berry- Research companies you want to work for; look for contacts- Secure references and get your personal statement critiqued- Participate in the Career & Internship Fair, professional organization functions, and networking events to target potential employers- Gain leadership skills through your campus work position and campus activities- Complete additional internships to gain experiences and further develop your skills- Participate in a mock interview and build your professional wardrobe - Revise / upload your resume to College Central (collegecentral.com/berry) and explore job openings- Follow up on ALL contacts and interviews

Brand

4