Career Success Plan

Summer Before Starting College - Research Majors

Choosing a college major is an important decision, but your choice does not dictate what careers or jobs you will have the rest of your life. Selecting a major does not mean that you are stuck in only one career path. So, just relax and get started on exploring a variety of majors.

• Focus on things that you enjoy doing (writing, painting, solving problems, working in a lab, doing research, helping people)
• Assess and discover your strengths, skills, personality style, values, and interests (contact Career Services for more information)
• Find out how majors relate to potential career options (resources are available through Career Services)
• Talk to your parents, family friends, mentors, and current students about their college majors
• Discuss a variety of majors with the faculty at the university you'll be attending in the fall
• Review the courses and programs offered at the university
• Don't let anyone pressure you to settle too quickly
• Remember, you can always change your major if needed

Freshman, Sophomore Year – Discover and Explore

• Attend the Campus Activities Fair in September
• Join a club or become involved in campus activities
• Take career assessments to explore your personality, interests, values, and skills (available in Career Services)
• Research a variety of careers
• Visit Career Services to learn about resources
• Participate in community engagement and volunteer activities
• Attend Job and Internship Fairs
• Explore careers by meeting with a career counselor and faculty advisors
• Choose a major
• Start building your career portfolio
• Take CAR2000 Career Planning and Job Search
• Get a summer job

Junior Year – Experience and Decide

• Review academic program with your advisor
• Discuss career direction with a career counselor
• Develop leadership skills through campus clubs and activities
• Do an internship and take CAR1990 for credit
• Identify at least three career options
• Prepare a resume
• Develop a mentor relationship
• Attend Job and Internship Fairs
• Participate in community engagement activities
• Do Informational Interviews to research jobs and careers
• Continue building your career portfolio and track accomplishments
• Get a summer job or summer internship

Senior Year – Take Action

• Take CAR2016 - Etiquette for the College Graduate
• Attend the annual Etiquette Lunch
• Conduct mock interviews
• Attend regular meetings of an appropriate professional association
• Design a detailed job search plan
• Complete the senior audit
• Prepare a resume
• Do Informational Interviews to research jobs and careers
• Research and visit potential employers
• Take relevant graduate school entrance exams
• Do at least one internship
• Attend Job and Career Fairs
• Apply for a minimum of 10 positions for which a college degree is a qualification

Alumni – Career Management

• Share your career successes and progress with Career Services staff
• Register to become an advisor to students and fellow alumni on the NDNU Alumni - Student Network
• Start a financial management plan, including saving regularly in your employer's retirement plan or an IRA
• Maintain your career portfolio and an updated resume
• Keep active in at least one professional association
• Track your career accomplishments
• Build and maintain your network of contacts