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A&S Career and Academic Checklist

Freshman Year

Academic Commitments

  • Enroll in a Learning Community .
  • Get to know your academic advisor and discuss your academic interests. Schedule an appointment early in the semester.
  • Attend the Majors Fair in September to learn about academic opportunities.
  • Go to your professors' office hours.

Career Development

  • Visit the Career Network  to learn about the resources available to you (career coaching, workshops, leadership coaching, part-time jobs, internships, career-related events and more).
  • Complete “My Next Move” to identify your interests and how they relate to your major and career.
  • Draft a college resume. 
  • Attend a career-related event to prepare yourself for the future internship and job search.
  • Activate your Handshake account.
  • Join the Bobcat Mentorship Network to connect with alumni.

Get Involved

Sophomore Year

Academic Commitments

  • Discuss your major and create a degree completion plan with your academic advisor. 
  • Meet with one or two of your faculty members to establish a relationship. These faculty may provide you with reference letters in the future.

Career Development

  • Schedule a career coaching session through Handshake to research careers that match your interests, skills, and abilities.
  • Learn how to write a resume and cover letter in a career coaching session and upload your resume to Handshake .
  • Participate in Career Network events , including the Career and Internship Fairs, Work That Matters Fair, and Grad School Fair.
  • Create a LinkedIn profile and start building your professional network.
  • Connect with alumni through LinkedIn, College of Arts & Sciences Career & Networking Week, Bobcat Mentorship Network, industry panels, and job shadowing to explore various career paths.
  • Explore Handshake for internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities to obtain “hands-on” experience in the world of work.

Get Involved

Junior Year

Academic Commitments

  • Discuss your major with your academic advisor and update your degree completion plan.
  • Explore research opportunities (including Departmental Honors ) in your academic department.
  • Continue to meet with one or two faculty members outside of the classroom to develop these relationships. These faculty may provide you with reference letters in the future.
  • Schedule a graduation check to make sure that you are completing all academic requirements.
  • If you are considering graduate or professional school, attend the Grad School Fair in October! Also research graduate school application timelines, GRE scores and program rankings.

Career Development

  • Identify skills and knowledge you have gained through your liberal arts education and relate those to potential career opportunities. Visit What Can I Do With This Major?
  • Participate in summer internships , employment, or volunteer opportunities related to your career interests.
  • Update your resume in Handshake to include recent internship, volunteer, and job information.
  • Schedule at least two mock interview sessions.
  • Participate in on-campus Career and Internship Fairs, Grad School Fair, and other career related events on campus.
  • Conduct informational interviews or job shadow with alumni in your specific field of interest.

Get Involved

Senior Year

Academic Commitments

  • Schedule a graduation check within the first two week of the fall and spring to make sure that you are completing all academic requirements.
  • Discuss your career or graduate school plans with your academic advisor.
  • Apply for graduation.
  • Contact faculty with whom you have established close relationships to request letters of reference.

Career Development

  • Update your resume in Handshake and apply for relevant positions.
  • Start researching companies for which you would like to work.
  • Schedule a career coaching session to finalize your job seeking strategies.
  • Schedule at least two mock interview sessions.
  • Participate in Career Network events , including the Career and Internship Fairs and the Work That Matters Fair.
  • Continue to build your network on LinkedIn .
  • Attend the Start Smart workshop on salary negotiation offered by the Women’s Center.
  • Begin interviewing for full-time positions in the fall semester (or) apply to graduate or professional schools.

Get Involved

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