Based on your career research, develop short-term and long-term goals to enrich your education preparing , and prepare you for experiential-based opportunities, which can provide added value to your academic experience.
Table of Contents:
- Career Planning PDF Guides
- Suggested Timelines
Career Planning Guides
Did you know?...
The career development process begins immediately when you start undergraduate education. Courses you take and extracurricular involvement will help you build your skills, broaden your interests, understand what motivates you, and inform your career goals. Career development is a process and unique to each individual. The following are suggestions to help guide you during your time at CSUCI. There is no one size fits all model. We encourage students to explore, self-reflect, assess and identify their values, interests, personality and skills. It is always important to decide what works best for you as an individual.
Career Planning Guides:
Career Planning Suggested Timeline
First Year
- Connect with a Career Counselor to learn about our resources and how we can best support you with the career development process-Schedule an appointment through Handshake
- Create/Update your Resume
- Use the Resume Handbook and Resume Resources.
- You can submit your resume or cover letter on Handshake and receive feedback within 24-48 hours during the week. Sign into your myCI then click on the Handshake tile.
- Explore extracurricular opportunities
- To gain skills and experience. Review Clubs/Orgs Directory and attend the Clubs/Orgs Fair at the beginning of the semester.
- FOCUS2 - Online Career Assessments to help identify values, interests, personality and skills (VIPS) and discover which careers/majors align with your strengths and unique talents.
- Review What Can I Do With This Major?
- Self-Reflect:
- Ask yourself what you like most about your academic courses and which extracurricular activities interest you most.
- Research positions that align with what you discovered about yourself.
- Use Handshake and career databases to research and search for positions.
- Create your profile on Dolphin Connect and reach out to a potential Mentor
- Conduct an informational interview. Informational Interviews help you with career exploration to learn about an occupation that might interest you.
Remember to…
- Reach out to the Career Center for support
- Check emails often! Stay current with events and resources
- Connect with faculty, staff, peers and community members who can mentor and support you throughout your career journey.
- Review resources and search for job/internship opportunities on Handshake (available on your myCI). Consider applying for an on campus job before your second year.
- Actively engage in your career development process!
Second Year
As you enter your second year, take time to reflect on your first year. Review the first year recommendations and focus on anything you believe will be helpful and best meet your needs.
- Continue exploring your academic interests!
- Schedule a time to meet with an Academic Advisor/Faculty Advisor.
- Use that time to explore course selection to assist you with choosing a major that is right for you
- Schedule an Appointment on Handshake with a Career Counselor
- Discuss major/career exploration strategies to help you decide on a major that aligns with your values, interests, personality type, and skills
- Discuss career interests and resources to conduct career research.
- Work with a Career Counselor and an Academic Advisor to develop a customized educational and career plan that aligns with your short-term and long-term career goals.
- Browse the CDAE website to find information on:
- career research databases, resources, and workshops.
- Create a LinkedIn Profile and continue using Dolphin Connect to conduct informational interviews and connect with mentors who can support and guide you with your career journey.
- Attend one of our Networking Events to meet alumni and learn about a wide range of career fields as well as interesting and diverse career paths.
- These are exceptional opportunities for you to meet potential mentors and contacts for job/internship opportunities.
- Continue to look for ways on and off campus to get involved through volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
- Being involved will help you gain skills future employers or graduate admissions committees find valuable when considering applicants. It will also help build your employer network and give you experience to add to your resume.
- Attend the Annual Graduate & Professional School Fair in the fall to
- meet admissions representatives from various graduate programs, if interested in exploring graduate school.
- Get professional experience through
- internships
- volunteering & extracurriculars
- on- and off-campus jobs
- Review information about Internship for Academic Credit, and schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor to discuss opportunities and strategies to help you find an internship.
Remember to…
- Read CDAE newsletters and emails announcing important upcoming events and career-related information.
- Use Handshake, our online job/internship system, and find positions available using online job/internship databases.
Third Year
Reflect on your first and second year, and take the opportunity to focus on any of the resources and suggestions that might be helpful with your career development process.
- Get assistance building a resume or have your existing resume reviewed by a Career Counselor
- Attend the Annual Graduate & Professional School Fair in the fall to meet admissions representatives from various programs, if interested in exploring graduate/professional
- Review the graduate and professional school information on the website, if you are interested in exploring graduate school and seeking assistance with the application process.
- Attend a Career & Internship Fair to meet prospective employers and build contacts for internship and job
- Conduct an informational interview with a CSUCI alum or a professional in your field of interest.
- Attend a networking event to connect with potential mentors, and build your contacts in the field to assist in your professional development and share internship and full-time job opportunities. Attend walk-ins or schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor for information about local networking opportunities.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor to discuss how to gain valuable hands-on experience in your field through participating in internships, service-learning, volunteer opportunities, professional networking, and mentorship.
- Follow local, state or national professional organizations in your field of interest on LinkedIn. Ask faculty and professionals in your field of interest what organizations they recommend you follow. Consider joining an organization and participating in their events. Many organizations support students with their career development and offer resources and post internship opportunities.
- Meet with a faculty member to discuss your career interests and pathway. Request their recommendation for a professional organization to assist in your networking and career preparation.
- Schedule an appointment to meet with a career counselor to discuss career goals and design a career plan aligned with your values, interests and skills/talents.
- Use LinkedIn Learning to learn a new skill or discover a new interest.
- Participate in a mock interview with a Career Peer Mentor or a Career Counselor to practice your interview skills and gain helpful tips and strategies to help you navigate an upcoming interview.
Remember to…
- Read CDAE emails announcing important upcoming events and career-related tools and resources.
- Use Handshake, our online job/internship database, and expand on your knowledge of resources, tools and online job/internship databases.
- Seek guidance from a Career Counselor on how to secure an Internship.
- Continue to utilize LinkedIn and Dolphin Connect to reach out to potential mentors and conduct informational interviews.
Fourth Year
Review your first, second and third year. Take the time to reflect on where you are in the career development process. Focus on what you believe will be helpful.
- Polish your resume, cover letter and professional reference sheet by scheduling an appointment with a career counselor.
- Attend a Career & Internship Fair to meet prospective employers and build contacts for future employment.
- Conduct an informational interview with a professional in your field of interest.
- Conduct an informational interview with one of our amazing CSUCI alumni. Use LinkedIn Alumni Tool to find potential mentors.
- Participate in a mock interview to practice your interview skills and learn helpful tips and strategies.
- Use LinkedIn Learning to learn a new skill or discover a new interest.
- Attend a workshop or event offered by Career Development and Alumni Engagement.
- Schedule and appointment to discuss how to apply proactive job search strategies to prepare for the current
- Review the graduate and professional school information on the CDAE website, if interested in applying to graduate/professional school.
- Schedule an appointment to discuss with a career counselor how to gain valuable hands-on experience in your field through participating in internships, service-learning, volunteer opportunities, professional networking events and mentorship opportunities.
- Decide on jobs/internships you would like to pursue and apply for. Develop a Career Plan to work towards your short-term and long-term goals.
- Meet with a faculty advisor to discuss your career interests and request their recommendation for a professional organization to assist in your networking and career preparation.
- Follow or join a professional organization in your field of interest on LinkedIn.
- Utilize LinkedIn to network, search for job/internship opportunities and develop a professional presence online.
- Begin applying for jobs one semester/6 months prior to graduation.
Remember to…
- Read emails and newsletters announcing important upcoming events and career-related resources and information.
- Set aside to time to add information on your LinkedIn profile and connect with individuals in your field of interest to conduct informational interviews and connect with potential mentors who will help guide you on your career path.
- Use Handshake and a variety of online resources to help you with your job search.
- Make sure to update your profile on Dolphin Connect and LinkedIn.