Career Development Center

Senior Year

This is your final year. You have a lot on your mind. Remain focused and keep balance between your academic, co-curricular, and burgeoning professional life.

Implementation

  • Complete requirements for graduation.
  • Identify interests, values and skills. Learn the skills required for a career in your field of interest.
  • Begin determining a short-term, post-undergraduate plan in the context of your long-term aspirations. Set goals and develop an action plan to accomplish them.
  • Meet with faculty, career counselors, and administrators who know you best and discuss your plans. These individuals can be references for jobs and graduate school.
  • This is your last chance to stretch your abilities in a leadership position in student government, clubs, or other campus organizations. Try a different role within these groups.
  • If you are working on campus, build a strong work ethic and develop relevant skills. It is highly recommended that you complete at least one internship in your field of interest in either the fall or spring semester.
  • Gain student memberships in the professional association related to your interests. Ask professors for suggestions.
  • Check out the online alumni directory for people to contact about their careers and their organizations.
  • Attend career-related workshops, programs, and industry panels as well as career and graduate fairs. Gather insight and advice from successful people in fields you want to enter or have not yet considered. Learn what employers are looking for in new hires. Find out how to package yourself and market your degree.
  • Continue to meet with career counselors and research your career options in more detail.
  • Develop different job search strategies and keep your resume updated. Consider having a videotaped mock interview with a counselor. Develop a portfolio of your relevant projects and assignments.
  • MAKE TIME to do an intentional job search. It takes time and effort to find a good position - allow three to six months. Have a plan of action and some kind of chart to keep careful records.
  • If you are planning on attending graduate or professional school, turn in your applications on time. Take your tests no later than fall semester.
  • Research applicable fellowship or other post-graduate awards if you are considering a gap-year experience.
  • Develop a timetable for career development after graduation.
  • Join the Alumni Association.
     

Timeline for Your Final Year

September
  • Apply for Walk in My Shoes (externship)
  • Write a resume
  • Learn how to write a powerful cover letter
  • Check TIGERlink regularly for job announcements
  • Consider taking on one last internsh
October/November
  • Research occupations and organizations
  • Focus on decision-making and goal setting
  • Develop an action plan
  • Conduct informational interviews and build a network
  • Attend all career programs, especially industry panels and speaker series
  • Start sending out resumes and don't stop
  • Check out the online alumni directory for contacts
  • Attend career fairs
  • If applicable, take appropriate graduate school tests
  • Check out deadlines for graduate applications
December/January
  • Continue researching occupations and organization
  • Continue informational interviews
  • Continue building your professional network
  • Buy an interview suit if needed
  • Organize a portfolio of relevant projects and assignments
February
  • Participate in Industry Night to meet recruiters
  • Keep building contacts in the field(s) of interest
  • Develop your job search plan and spend several hours a week on strategies
  • If applicable, go on job interviews
March/April
  • Have a job search system in place
  • Try varied strategies for finding employment
  • Dedicate additional hours a week to an organized plan
  • Start plans to transition from Occidental College