Center for Career Development

Students & Alumni -- Career Development Timeline

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The key to a successful job search is to become familiar with career services, explore career resources, and participate in career programs early in your educational experience.  To assist you with this task, we have provided you with a list of tasks that correspond to each year of enrollment.

FIRST YEAR

Explore Career Areas

• Take a variety of classes to help determine in which career direction you will go.
• Introduce yourself to faculty and administrators. Get to know them — they will make great references in the future!
• Get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer work.
• Earn money and gain experience by getting a part-time job. Resources are available in the Center for Career Development.
• Study hard and get good grades from the start! Once you fall behind it is hard to catch up.
• Familiarize yourself with the services and resources that are available through the Center for Career Development. Come visit us!
• Research summer employment and internships that will give you experience in your chosen career field. Resources are available in the Center.

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SOPHOMORE YEAR

Collect Information

• Read job descriptions posted in the Center for Career Development to become familiar with different fields.
• Talk with several professionals in interesting careers and, if possible, spend a day on the job with professionals in different careers.
• Declare your major.
• Focus on studying and getting good grades.
• Continue with or join extracurricular activities/clubs/teams. Get involved!
• Begin writing or reviewing your resume for summer or part-time employment.
• Explore summer employment and internships that will enhance your skills in a particular field. Resources are available in the Center.

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JUNIOR YEAR

Increase Experience

• Focus on your pre-practicum or practicum. Get as much experience as you can!
• Take notes throughout the year about your placements. You will add these experiences to your resume.
• Work with a member of the career staff to write and revise your resume.
• Gather documents, including lesson plans and photographs, from your placements for your portfolio.
• Take on leadership positions in your student activity groups or residence hall.
• Maintain good grades.
• Conduct informational interviews to learn about careers that interest you.
• Develop a list on contacts and begin networking.
• Begin researching graduate schools.
• Talk with faculty members about your career interests — they can provide valuable advice.
• Attend campus-sponsored events, including the Graduate School Information Session.

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SENIOR YEAR

First Career Choice

• Make it your goal to have a job at graduation!
• Schedule an appointment with a member of the career staff to revise and polish your resume.
• Draft a cover letter and review it with a member of the career staff.
• Create a portfolio to document your professional experiences and strengths.
• Participate in the On-Campus Recruiting program.
• Attend all available job fairs, including the MERC Educators' Job Fair.
• Check out job postings on Wheelock Works!
• Network! Expand your contact list and contact alumni listed in the Alumni Career Network to find out more about your chosen field.
• Schedule a mock interview with a member of the career staff.
• Interview!
• Ask people who know you well — professors, cooperating teachers, and supervisors, to write letters of recommendation or to serve as references.
• Research and apply to graduate schools. The Center for Career Development has several resources to assist you.

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First Year Graduate Students

• Familiarize yourself with the the services and resources that are available through the Center for Career Development.
• Explore the career web site.
• Don't procrastinate!  Meet with a member of the career staff in your first year to review your resume and receive feedback. 
• Develop your network.  Get to know you professors, field supervisors, and colleagues in the field.  These persons will be valuable resources in your job search.
• Take notes about your field experiences, including responsibilities and accomplishments.  You will integrate this information into your resume.

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Final Year Graduate Students

• Make it your goal to have a job at graduation!
• Schedule an appointment with a member of the career staff to revise and polish your resume.
• Draft a cover letter and review it with a member of the career staff.
• Schedule a mock interview with a member of the career staff.
• Participate in the On-Campus Recruiting program.
• Attend all available job fairs, including the MERC Educators' Job Fair.
• Check out job postings on Wheelock Works!
• Network! Expand your contact list and contact alumni listed in the Alumni Career Network to find out more about your chosen field.
• Interview!
• Ask people who know you well — professors, cooperating teachers, and supervisors to write letters of recommendation or to serve as references.

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