Choosing a major and subsequent career path is an important decision. Take the time to reflect on your values, personality, skills, and interests. Then research possible majors/careers and see how each path compares to your self-assessment. This will enable you to more effectively target potential career fields that interest you and help you make a wise decision as you move forward with your career plan. Explore the resources below to guide you through these steps and come to drop-in hours to visit with a career counselor about your options.

A strong academic record is no longer the main quality employers look for in a potential employee. Gaining experience outside of the classroom will build the skills needed to be successful in your desired career and will help you position yourself as the top candidate for the positions you pursue. Experience comes in many forms including part-time jobs, internship, research, volunteer work, and campus leadership. The types of opportunities you explore will vary depending upon your individual major and personal career goals. Use these resources to aid in your search for opportunities to gain experience.

Before you start searching for a job, it’s important to network with people in your industry, develop confidence in your interview skills, and create a strong resume and cover letter. In order to stand out among a sea of applicants, having a strong resume and cover letter are imperative. These documents should specifically cater to the position in which you are applying while also highlighting your skills and experiences. University Career Center offers many resources to help in the creation of your resume and cover letter, as well as the development of the interview skills needed to effectively market yourself to employers.

Once you feel confident in your ability to market yourself to potential employers, you should begin searching and applying for jobs. This may seem like a monumental task, fortunately, there are many ways for you to go about locating employment opportunities. Use your Handshake account to search for available positions, attend University Career Center hosted events to network with employers, and create a LinkedIn account to connect with professionals in your industry. Be sure to explore as many avenues as possible during your search. You never know which path will lead to your dream job.

For additional assistance in your college, visit the Career Services Network:

• College of Liberal Arts: Career Services
• Harbert College of Business: Office of Professional & Career Development
• College of Architecture, Design, & Construction Career Services
• Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Office of Career Development & Corporate Relations

There are many factors to consider before making the decision to attend graduate school, including time commitment, cost, and return on investment. While many disciplines require advanced education in order to succeed within that field, other career paths only require a bachelor’s degree. Use the resources below to gather more information about all of your options as well as the process of applying to graduate school.

You’ve arrived! Your countless hours of self-reflection, research, networking, resume writing, and interviewing have culminated in hearing one simple phrase…”You’re hired!” But now what? You’re certainly not done, and in some ways, you’re just beginning. The transition to the workplace can be a taxing time. Adjusting to new expectations and norms within the office, while attempting to develop and cultivate a life outside the office can be quite challenging to do successfully. Explore these links to help you through your transition from college to career.