Undergraduate Career Planning

Career Exploration

1. Know Yourself
2. Understanding Career Fields
3. Try-On Careers
4. Your Job Search

Freshmen

During your first year as a college student, you are probably asking yourself many questions regarding your future career. What major should I choose? What courses should I enroll in? How do I find out what I want to do with my life? Here, at Marquette University, there are numerous resources available to help you with these questions.

A checklist for FRESHMEN:

1. Become familiar with student services offered at Marquette University
2. Join a student organization
3. Become familiar with the majors offered at Marquette
4. Enroll in various courses to explore majors
5. Begin self-assessment and identifying majors/careers through career counseling. Start by visiting the Counseling Center.
6. Find professionally-oriented part-time or summer job
7. Engage in volunteer activities and service learning
8. Learn more about careers by engaging in occupational research

Sophomores

During your second year as a student at Marquette University , you might be pondering these questions. How can I decide on a major? What careers am I interested in? Did I choose the right major? How do I go about gaining career-related skills?

A checklist for SOPHOMORES:

1. Explore majors and career options with a career counselor
2. Engage in self-assessment to identify your interests, skills, values, and personality characteristics. Start by visiting the Counseling Center.
3. Develop a resume and begin looking to gain skills through career-related experiences such as internships and co-ops

Juniors

Typically, juniors have chosen a major and are busy gaining career-related experience. The next step is preparing for the job search or applying to graduate/professional school. lf you are still unsure of your major or need help in determine your career path start with resources specially designed for this stage of career development.

A checklist for JUNIORS:

1. Identify which skills that employers seek (PDF) and which transferable skills (PDF) required by professionals in your field that you possess
2. Gain skills through career-related experiences such as internships, co-op, part-time or summer job, volunteer activities and service learning
3. Perfect your job search materials including a resume and cover letter
4. Register with MU Career Manager if you haven't already
5. Develop a job search plan. A career counselor can help you with this
6. Practice your interviewing skills in a practice interview.
7. Attend Career Fairs

Seniors

Congratulations on your accomplishments thus far. By this stage, you have chosen a major, gained career-related experience, and have begun thinking about your job search or graduate/professional school.

Job Search

Studies show it takes about six months of active job searching to find a position that fits with your education and career goals. So starting this step of the process early can be helpful in securing a position by graduation. Looking for a job in sunny Florida or relocating to Denver? Check out the relocation resources specific for the long-distance job search.

Interviewing

Being polished in an interview means more than wearing the right suit. Preparing for interviews involves thinking about yourself and the skills you can offer employers. It means having a battery of stories and examples that demonstrate your skills and experiences available to discuss with employers. It also means being able to clearly articulate your answers and show an employer competence and enthusiasm for a particular job. Studying the frequently asked interview questions and practice interviews with a career counselor

Career Fairs

These events are the easiest way for you to meet face-to-face with recruiters. Employers use this time to highlight their organizations, exhibit available internships and full-time positions, and, most importantly, talk to potential candidates. It is important to prepare in advance for a career fair by having an excellent resume to hand out and developing an introduction that highlights your skills and expresses your interest in positions. Be sure to read How to prepare for a career fair in order to impress employers that matter to you.

Congratulations! You have a job or have been accepted for an advanced degree!

Be sure to let us know of your success. Complete the Post-graduation Survey. Not sure how to function outside of the university? Check out our tips for success in your First Year on the Job. Also, stayed involved with MU through the Alumni Association. Check out other organizations to help make life after Marquette just as fun.

lf you are still unsure of your major or need help in determine your career path start with services specially designed for this stage of career development.

A checklist for SENIORS:

1. Develop a job search plan. A career counselor can help you with this.
2. Plan on attending graduate or professional school? By late fall your personal statement application materials should be ready.
3. Perfect your job search materials including a resume and cover letter
4. Practice your interviewing skills in a practice interview and by reviewing the frequently asked interview questions (PDF)
5. Register with MU Career Manager if you haven't already. Participate in On-Campus Interviews.
6. Identify which skills that employers seek (PDF) and which transferable skills (PDF) required by professionals in your field that you possess
7. Gain skills through career-related experiences such as internships, co-op, part-time or summer job, volunteer activities and service learning
8. Begin developing a career network
9. Attend Career Fairs and prepare by reading How to prepare for a career fair (PDF)
10. Apply for jobs using the line listings from local, regional, and national sites found at Job Listings
11. Complete the Got a Job! survey and tell us your latest career success!