The following checklist offers suggestions for progressive steps to take toward skill-based growth, intellectual preparation and life experiences that will help prepare you to become the person you want to be. Keep in mind that this checklist is simply a guide. Some individuals will be further along in their career and leadership development during a given year in college, while others may progress more slowly.

1 = First year of college
2 = Second year of college
3 = Third year of college
4 = Fourth year of college

STAGE 1

Knowing yourself

The goal of this stage is to evaluate your interests, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, experiences and leadership style. You can then determine how these relate to specific majors and/or careers and individual development needs.

1. Identify personal interests, skills and values by completing career assessments. Such assessments include:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
CHOICES Career Exploration
Work Values Inventory
Keirsey Temperment Sorter- http://www.keirsey.com/
Holland Self Directed Search- we offer this in our Career Center

2. Explore various academic disciplines as areas of study. Talk with professors in that area or come by the Academic Support Center. You can also learn about career fields through various online resources. These include:

Career Magazine- http://www.careermag.com/
Occupational Outlook Handbook- http://www.bls.gov/oco/
JobStar Central- http://jobstar.org/tools/career/spec-car.php
CollegeBoard.com- Collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/0,,4-24-0-0,00.html
Career Journal.com- http://www.careerjournal.com
Career Development Manual- http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/

1-2 Find clubs and organizations that are related to your interests, skills, and values. Stop by the Student Activities office in MSAC 101 or click here for their online info- http://www.cn.edu/studentaffairs/studentactivities.htm

1-3 Sharpen your leadership skills by taking on leadership roles in one or more of the organizations or clubs you join.

1-2 Ask individuals, such as family members, mentors, faculty members, advisors and friends to help you develop short and long-range personal and career-related goals. There are several books available that can assist you, as well.

1-4 Develop good study skills, concentrate on your academics, and keep your grades up.

1-4 Cultivate transferable skills through part-time employment - stop by the Career Center for job listings. Volunteering is also a great way to give back to the community and to gain skills - C-N’s Community Connections (x4830) can place you with an organization that matches your interests.

1-4 Begin working on your FLIGHT co-curricular portfolio. If you are unsure on how to begin, check with the Student Activities office and they can get you started.

STAGE II

Researching majors and the marketplace, and expanding your community and worldview.

The goal of this stage is to acquire more knowledge about academic majors of interest and how they may relate to specific career fields. Use your self-assessment results to see what careers match your skills and interests. Investigate such areas as the amount of training required, employment outlook, work environment, and opportunities for advancement in the fields you are considering. Broaden your understanding of community and world issues and your potential role as a leader through work, volunteer, and campus enrichment experiences. It is easy to stay in the “C-N Bubble”, but is very important to keep an eye on what is going on in the “real world”, as well.

2 Continue career exploration related to your area of study by talking to people who are already in the field, job shadowing, and career-related sites on the web.

2 If you have not declared a major, you must do that by the end of your sophomore year (64 hours). Choose a major that you love - it makes going to class a lot easier.

2-3 Attend lectures, cultural events and special programs offered by CLW or our Concert Lecture Series. They will help broaden your perspective and worldview.

2-3 Want some management skills? Volunteer to chair a committee or plan an event.

2-3 Communication skills are vital to any job. Work on them in your job or volunteer experiences. Volunteer to facilitate a study group. Take a speech class.

2-3 Develop a resume for a summer or part-time position and continue to update each semester in anticipation of seeking full-time employment or applying to graduate schools during your senior year. The staff at the Career Services Center will be happy to help you get started on your resume.

2-4 Update your FLIGHT co-curricular portfolio each semester. The final transcript of your portfolio will give you that extra edge when it accompanies your resume.

2-3 Want some career related experience? Check with your professors about academic practicums, job shadowing experiences and academic internships. The Career Center can also direct you to various internship opportunities.

2-4 The Career Center sponsors several career-related workshops and several career fairs each year. Take advantage of these opportunities - you never know what you may find.

STAGE III

Validating your career decision and expanding your leadership skills

2-4 Do you have some skills that you need to improve? How can you make those improvements? Take a class, talk with a Career Service counselor, or check out online resources.

2-4 Develop your leadership skills by serving on committees, stepping up in your clubs or organizations, taking classes or going to workshops.

3-4 Consider graduate and professional school choices. Click here for more information (link to Are you considering graduate school)

3-4 Begin to create a personal network by joining a professional association or organization - most of our majors sponsor these. You can also conduct information interviews, check with our Alumni Relations Office to contact alums who have a job that interests you, or check with the Career Services Center to find contacts in our area.

3-4 Attend workshops on resume writing, interviewing and the job search process sponsored by our Career Services Center.

3-4 Practice your interviewing skills by taking part in a mock interview with a member of the Career Services Center.

3-4 Get ready for your graduate entrance exams by taking part in departmental and commercial study sessions.

3-4 Take required entrance exams and complete applications for admission to graduate or professional programs.

STAGE IV

Implementing a plan of action

The goal of this stage is to develop a focused, strategic job search plan, and to set goals for life after graduation.

4 Establish a file in the Career Services Center for full-time employment opportunities.

4 Sign up for on-campus interviews with perspective employees through the Career Services Center.

4 Conduct a personal job search that includes the web, letter and telephone campaign, and your networking contacts.

4 Evaluate your offers for full-time employment or graduate/professional study, and choose what is best for you in terms of career satisfaction.

4 Get ready for life after college! The Career Services Center offers workshops just for seniors. You can also click here for a few tips