Four Year Career Plan
The Four Year Career Plan serves as a guide to help you identify and document the steps needed to achieve your goals. It is a flexible process that can be started or revised at any time. For assistance in developing and implementing your personalized career plan, contact a career advisor.
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Year 1: Plan it
Engage in career and campus activities. Identify and assess your values, interests, personality, and skills. Take TypeFocus to help identify values, interests, personality, and skills. Use “What Can I Do With A Major In” application to identify potential career paths and strategies associated with various majors. Develop a college appropriate resume. Log on Handshake and start to build your profile. Get Involved! Volunteer, find a club/org that you enjoy, and participate in any opportunity on campus. (Resilience) Set up an appointment with a career counselor to identify career options. Summer should include a part-time or volunteer experience to begin to build your resume and skills. All jobs are beneficial and important; however, related experiences can help you test your career options. (Community Service Orientation, Professionalism, Resilience)
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Year 2: Build it
Explore who you are and prepare for career and internship opportunities. Attend Career Center workshops, especially an Internship Information Session, to help prepare you as you search for a professional experience. (Professionalism) Update your resume – or develop your first draft. Develop your first draft cover letter. Be sure to have it checked at the Career Center. Build your online brand by creating a LinkedIn account and ensure social media accounts are appropriate and professional. Create a profile on Handshake. Attend job fairs and other social events. Practice introducing yourself, make connections, and build your network. (Professionalism) Speak with your faculty and/or career advisor to learn about ways to receive credit for your internship. This should be in conjunction with the Career Center. Continue the pursuit of experiences – ideally an internship, or other professional experience to help you determine your career path. Part-time or full-time summer jobs, and volunteering are also important.
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Year 3: Work it
Discover your path and try new things. Set career goals and make a plan to get there. Seek a leadership position(s) with a student organization. (Professionalism) Recognize “soft skills” and understand why they are important and how to develop those skills. Attend Career Fair(s) and other career-related events. Select elective courses and minors that will enhance your goals and help you develop new skills. Secure an internship and maintain a journal of accomplishments and projects. Speak with your academic department and Career Center to determine if you can receive credit. If you are considering graduate school, start researching admission requirements and programs. You also want to start preparing for any standardized tests (GRE, LAST, MCAT, GMAT, etc.). This is the most important year to do an internship, especially if you haven’t done one already. Many summer internships lead to full-time job offers, so participating into your senior year can be beneficial.
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Year 4: Live it
Embark on your individual path based on the foundation you have created at UMassD. Polish your resume and have it reviewed by a professional in the Career Center. Update your online profiles: LinkedIn and Handshake. Be sure it is accurate for employers to review. Gain an understanding of how your personality impacts team work, time management, and conflict management through MBTI. Participate in a mock interview in the Career Center, and/or utilize Big Interview to practice and enhance your interviewing skills. (Communication and Multiliteracy) Attend all career fairs and events that pertain to your success. Recruiters start looking for candidates early; be ready to go as soon as Fall and Spring semesters begin. (Professionalism) Research positions on Glassdoor or other online resources to confirm reputation, salary, etc. Complete applications for graduate or professional schools. The Career Center is just one resource available to help with your personal statement.