The first step toward your career is figuring out what path to take. These resources will help you discover where you are today and
point you in the right direction.
Getting Started
No matter what type of career you seek, finding it involves a little marketing … except in this case the product you are promoting is yourself. These marketing tools are essential parts of any job search: Many people dream about where they want to go, but don't have a map on how to get there. Goal setting is an important—and often overlooked—part of the career-planning process. Career Exploration
Stop by Career Services for materials that can help you find the right career, including advice about careers with a specific major, and what the future holds for various occupations. You may also visit these sites for inspiration: Skill Building
An internship is an important—often essential—step on the path to a rewarding and successful career. Stop by Career Services for local internships or check out these internship listings: Volunteering is an excellent way to build career skills while helping those in need. Stop by Career Services for local internships or check out these volunteeer opportunities in Mankato Job Search Assistance
While many jobs openings are never posted online, online job boards can help you find opportunities available in your chosen field. Career Services recommends these resources: Nationwide Minnesota Four Year College Plan
- Develop friendships on campus
- Learn to manage time
- Learn to manage resources
- Develop study habits
- Begin to think about Career Development
- Create a preliminary resume
- Begin to formulate life goals
- Explore personal interests, skills and values
- Become involved in clubs, organizations, activities
- Volunteer in the community
- Get to know your professors and academic advisors who may eventually serve as employment references
- Conduct research and visit with professionals and upper class students to assist in your decision on a major that aligns with your interests
- Attend career fairs and employer presentations
- Participate in career development workshops
- Explore career fields/areas of interest
- Decide on a major
- Volunteer in the community
- Continue to stay involved on campus through student organizations
- Continue forming positive relationships with professors and advisors
- Obtain a summer job in your field
- Continue to update resume
- Commitment to personal and academic lives
- Focus on classes and major
- Explore the option of graduate or professional school
- Maintain a strong GPA in major coursework
- Pursue leadership roles in campus activities to enhance your “marketability”
- Continue forming positive relationships with professors and advisors
- Obtain a summer job in your field
- Organize job search and strategies for obtaining full-time employment
- Fine tune your resume and cover letter
- Attend job fairs
- Participate in mock interviews
- Continue to attend various career-related workshops and employer presentations
- Complete graduate/professional school applications to meet established deadlines. Take graduate admissions and finalize graduate school plans
- Select professors, advisors and supervisors to act as references; discuss your plans with them
- Maintain solid grades
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