Now is the time to explore all of your questions about who you are and what you want out of the life ahead of you! 

We can help you assess your skills, strengths, interests, values and personality as you make decisions about majors and careers. The more you know about your career-related interests and strengths, the better equipped you will be to identify an area of study and future career.

Checklist for Success in Year 1: ASK QUESTIONS

• Introduce yourself to the Director of Career Services at orientation or during Career Café Wednesdays at 11:00am in Levin Room.
• Get involved on campus—student organizations, Greek Life, volunteer opportunities, athletics, musical groups, theater!
• Take an interest self-assessment to examine your interests, skills, and values. Try this online assessment.
• Examine short- and long-term goals, your mission, and your purpose. Not sure about your goals? Try this worksheet.
• Do some fact-finding online. If you haven't chosen a major already, examine majors in the Catalog. Skim course descriptions and mark those that sound interesting. Examine requirements of academic departments.
• Talk with faculty and your peers about different majors—start researching your interests and ASK QUESTIONS! Ask how they linked their education to a career.
• Attend Career Services and academic department events on campus to gain insight from faculty. Talk with alumni and professionals about their own career paths and education. Check the Calendar for events.
• Keep a record of who you’re meeting: faculty, department chairs, coaches, mentors, upperclass students, and alumni—these people can help you discuss majors and career paths. Always be broadening your network.

Career paths are rarely linear, and the exploration process is very similar. This year, research any remaining questions and get on the right career path. Use this roadmap and the tools around you to move deliberately toward a career identity—find the right “fit” for you!

Checklist for Success in Year 2: DO RESEARCH

• Continue meeting with Career Services, your faculty advisor, and other mentors until you solidify your major choice.
• Attend Career Services events to learn about different majors and career paths. Get to know employers in your fields of interest.
• Tour and visit companies and organizations to evaluate the work environment—do this either in the Lindsborg-area or back home during interterm or summer!
• Shadow professionals in the field for maximum exposure to different occupations. Enroll in Experience Based Education to receive academic credit for shadowing experiences throughout the semester.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in careers that interest you. Career Services can help you get connected with these people!
• Get an on- or off-campus part-time job related to your field of study.
• Connect majors to careers: Your major may be directly related to your career—or it may not be! Never feel restricted by your major, rather think about what beneficial skills your major provides.
• Think about applying for leadership roles on campus.

Can’t decide on a major? You can always double major, if you want to pursue multiple academic programs. Also, consider a minor or further education after a bachelor’s degree.

At this point, you’re applying classroom learning to a work setting, and you’re able to affirm your career decision. Preparation this year will make for a smooth transition into the workforce or graduate school.

Checklist for Success in Year 3: MAKE DECISIONS

• Consider what you have learned from self-assessment and research. Weigh the pros and cons. If you haven’t, narrow down to two or three options.
• Check in with Career Services about your job search strategy.
• Get a resume and cover letter review in Career Services.
• Attend the Career Fair and other career events to obtain an internship and prepare for the job/graduate school search.
• Participate in experiential learning to utilize classroom knowledge in a professional setting: EBE, departmental practicum, research, student teaching, etc.
• Participate in service projects with employers—network and give back! Discover opportunities with Campus Activities or Campus Ministry.
• Conduct a mock interview with a faculty member or in Career Services.
• Research graduate programs and determine timelines for applications.
• Take on leadership roles in on- and off-campus groups.
• Join professional organizations in your field.

Prepare to begin a successful career—develop strategies to get you noticed and stand out, learn how to integrate with your new team, utilize developed life skills. Move with confidence into your job or graduate school search, as you have prepared throughout your college career for this transition.

Checklist for Success in Year 4: START YOUR CAREER

• Develop a job search strategy—what jobs will you search for? Develop a list of employers to pursue.
• Review your updated resume and cover letter with Career Services.
• Maximize your final EBE opportunity to make a lasting impression.
• Stay on top of your graduate school applications. Get tips for applications and essays.
• Seek letters of recommendation from faculty for graduate programs.
• Polish your LinkedIn profile and cleanse your other social media.
• Attend the Career Fair to network with employers and land a job!
• Report your employment or graduate school acceptance to Career Services.
• Join the Alumni Association!

Started your job search? 70% of positions are obtained through who you know! Attend career events to network with employers—you never know who will help you get that foot in the door! Although not as commonly successful, try searching online job search databases for openings.