Career Development Center

Junior Year

This is your third year, so focus your direction. Keep balance between your academic and co-curricular life, while intentionally gaining professional experience.

Decision Making

  • You should have already declared your major. Review the courses you've taken outside of your major to determine if you have enough units to establish a second major and/or minor.
  • Hopefully you have already secured a variety of part-time employment that relates to your field of interest and have helped you develop essential skills. If you haven't focused on employment, meet with a career counselor to see how it would benefit you to gain professional experience.
  • It is highly recommended that you complete at least one internship in your field of interest your junior year. Internships show employers that you understand the importance of preparation and its relationship to professional success as well as the ability to make the transition from the world of school to the world of work.
  • Stretch your abilities in a leadership position by getting involved in student government, holding an office in a club, becoming a project director, or tutoring in the Center for Academic Excellence. Being involved demonstrates to employers that you have well-developed social skills, can multi-task and work collaboratively and cooperatively. Develop strong relationships with the sponsor, faculty and staff surrounding the organization. These people can write recommendations for jobs and graduate school.
  • Gain student memberships in the professional associations related to your major and/or minor.
  • Check out the online alumni directory for mentors and advisors in your field of interest.
  • Connect assignments, papers and projects to your field(s) of interest. Explore these areas and start developing expertise.
  • Attend career-related workshops, programs, and panels as well as career and graduate fairs.
  • Continue to meet with career counselors and research your career options in more detail. Talk to professionals already in the field. Develop some alternate plans.
  • Write or update your resume; learn how to write a powerful cover letter. Practice interviewing.
  • If you are considering graduate or professional school, begin researching the schools that specialize in your areas of interest now. Ask your professors for suggestions. Learn about requirements for entrance into Master's and Ph.D. degree programs.
Suggestions for Your Summer
  • Try to find a job or internship in the field you would like to enter after graduation or that will give you general experience applicable to a variety of possible careers. Employers will be looking for relevant work experience on your resume.
  • If you are planning to go to graduate school, find out what admissions tests are necessary. Take them in summer or fall of the senior year. Start studying well in advance. The Career Development Center has practice GRE and LSAT tests on computers. Be aware of application deadlines. Work closely with your academic advisor to choose classes and co-curricular activities that will help make you a competitive applicant! Find out what research or special projects are going on in your department and join in.
  • Take classes to enhance your skills.