4- Year Checklist

 Year 1:

  • Meet your University Career Services advisor
  • Attend one of Career Services’s résumé workshops to start building a customized résumé
  • Utilize the Career Services online tutorials for building an effective cover letter and résumé  
  • Get engaged with the Student Life Center to find out about student organizations, volunteer work, and extra-curricular activities
  • Take the FOCUS career assessment to verify you are in the correct major for your career path and/ or help you choose a career path that is right for you
  • Meet with Academic Advising Center to ensure you’re taking the necessary courses toward completion of your degree
  • Be aware of all majors and minors that are available at SVSU to ensure they are inline with your career goals
  • Check with Office of International Programs about studying abroad in the future
  • Log in to the Cardinal Career Network and start exploring companies and jobs of interest to you.  Make sure to explore all on-campus employment opportunities
  • Watch the Career Services Calendar of Events and plan to attend a few events of interest and attend all Career Fairs
  • Purchase professional attire

Year 2:

  • Have your Career Services advisor review and edit your résumé
  • Continue to explore the Cardinal Career Network for experiential learning opportunities
  • Begin exploring internship, volunteer, and job shadow opportunities
  • If you are still unsure about your career path, take the FOCUS assessment and schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to cement your major
  • Check with Office of International Programs about studying abroad
  • Meet with Academic Advising Center to ensure you’re taking the necessary courses toward completion of your degree
  • Continue to join student organizations and engage in volunteer opportunities through the Student Life Center 
  • Continue to actively participate in special events offered by Career Services

Year 3:

  • Update your résumé and upload a current version to the Cardinal Career Network 
  • Schedule a mock interview with a advisor to proactively prepare for interviews
  • Begin applying for internship opportunities as well as researching for graduate schools and entrance exams
  • Attend a career fair to research companies, internships and graduate school opportunities
  • Take leaderships positions in your organizations
  • Meet with Academic Advising Center to ensure you’re taking the necessary courses toward completion of your degree
  • Check the Cardinal Career Network to sign up for on-campus interviews and apply for jobs online
  • Begin networking with companies, because many of the same recruiters will recruit you during your fourth year
  • Contact Student Research & Creativity Institute to see if research opportunities are available to help get into the best graduate schools

Year 4:

  • Update your résumé and upload a current version to the Cardinal Career Network 
  • Compile references for jobs or graduate school applications
  • Schedule a mock interview with a counselor to help with securing an internship or job after graduation
  • Begin applying for job opportunities – research, research, research!
  • Attend as many CP&P events as possible to gain information about applying for jobs and how to get ready for the workplace
  • Meet with Academic Advising Center to ensure you’re taking the necessary courses toward completion of your degree.  Make sure you complete your degree audit!
  • Attend the career fairs to make company contacts and apply for open positions
  • Check the Cardinal Career Network to sign up for on-campus interviews and apply for jobs online
  • Remember to report your hire through the Cardinal Career Network 
  • Fill out the Alumni Survey from the Career Services Office
  • Meet with the Office of Alumni Relations before graduating to build your networking team
  • Assess your boundaries for employment – identify what cities and states you would be willing to move

REMEMBER: ON AVERAGE, IT TAKES A STUDENT 4 – 6 MONTHS BEFORE GRADUATING TO SECURE A POSITION

Checklist:

  • Register with Cardinal Career Network and personalize your profile (upload cover letter, résumé, and unofficial transcripts
  • Check all police reports for previous offenses
  • Google yourself
  • Check your Facebook/ MySpace and other social networking sites for any comments or pictures that could harm you
  • Check your voice message on your answering machine and cell phone to make sure they are appropriate
  • Purchase professional attire for interviewing and networking events
  • Create a professional email similar to your SVSU e-mail address
  • Be aware than many employers will require a drug test and reference check
  • Make sure to have your résumé critiqued
  • Do a mock interview

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