Career Services

Career Action Planning

Career planning is a series of decisions that require time and energy. The career planning process begins early and continues throughout one's college years. Career planning is more than job searching; it is an integral process of information gathering, decision-making, and implementing action steps.

While at Lewis University, you will experience a number of developmental stages that involve assessing your interests, abilities, experiences, and values to determine how well you can transition into the world of work. The University's Career Service personnel are committed to supporting your personal and professional development by offering career counseling, assistance with resume writing, and job searching.

The following principles are intended to serve as tools in your career planning. We encourage you to contact us and benefit from our services and resources. We look forward to meeting you!

FIRST YEAR

Self-assess and discover

"What do I want to do?" "What should I major in?" "How do I develop myself further?""How do I find out more about my interests, values and abilities?"

Identify your interests, values and abilities

• Strive for academic excellence!
• Spend considerable time evaluating your interests, values, skills, personality and goals.
• Take an interest inventory in the Career Services office to connect your skills, interests, and values with potential occupations.
• Meet with your advisor to discuss an academic plan.
• Experience a variety of courses to help you determine your academic major and career interest.
• Research occupations to determine their appropriateness to you. Talk with a Career Services counselor and become familiar with literature and resources available in the Career Services Library.
• If you are undecided about a major, this is the time to meet with a Career Services counselor or your academic advisor to discuss various majors as options.
• Conduct informational interviews. Ask upper-class students and professionals in your field of interest about their academic and job experiences.
• Build your communication and leadership skills; join campus organizations, sports teams or become involved with community activities.
• If time permits, get a part-time job, work on campus, or volunteer.
  

SECOND YEAR

Explore and investigate

"What classes am I currently taking or have taken that I most enjoy?" "What am I good at?" "What are my values, interests, and abilities?" "What can I do with my major?"

Explore your career interests and define your educational goals

• Strive for academic excellence!
• Continue to assess your academic interest and begin thinking about a particular major or type of class that interests you.
• Meet with your academic advisor to discuss and declare a major. Begin to research a type of career you are interested in by utilizing the library in the Career Services office. Investigate and collect resourceful information about specific careers of interest.
• Take advantage of career counseling by meeting with a Career Services counselor to discuss your goals.
• Conduct informational interviews; ask upper-class students and professionals in your field of interest about their job experiences.
• Develop a file of information about specific career alternatives and narrow your potential career options.
• Develop a draft of your first resume; make an appointment with a Career Services counselor for resume-writing assistance.
• Review your options for work and volunteer experience during the school year to enhance your work skills and build your resume.
• Continue building your social and leadership skills by taking an active role in campus organizations and community activities.

THIRD YEAR

Prepare and practice

"Where do I go for help to build my professional and job search skills?" "How do I get an internship?" "Do I want to pursue graduate studies?" "How do I begin preparing for my future career?"

Gain experience through internships or Part-time/ summer employment

• Strive for academic excellence!
• Identify career options with your academic advisor or career counselor.
• If you are considering graduate school, meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic plan. Investigate graduate schools of interest and the deadlines for admission tests and applications.
• Begin to review available internship opportunities during the first semester of your junior year.
• Schedule an appointment with a Career Services counselor to learn about the job application process and job search techniques.
• Review the Job Opportunity Bulletin in Career Services and other employment publications and resources.
• Begin to research companies and the opportunities they offer. Review the employer literature files in the Career Services office.
• Attend University-sponsored and off-campus job fairs.
• Prepare cover letters and resumes for desired internships or occupations.
• Seek ways to demonstrate your competencies in teamwork, leadership, technical and communication skills; take an active role in a campus organization or in community activities.
• Before the end of your third year, secure an internship for the summer in a career field of interest.

FOURTH YEAR

Focus and achieve

"What do I have to offer an employer?" "How do I make them want to hire me?"
"I am considering graduate school; which graduate program will address my needs and goals?"

Prepare for your transition into the workplace and/or Graduate school

• Strive for academic excellence!
• Meet with your advisor to be sure you are meeting all graduation requirements.
• Decide on the type of career or graduate program you are seeking.
• Apply to the graduate schools of your choice and register to take any required graduate/professional school entrance exams (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.). Talk with your career counselor about dates and preparatory materials for the exams.
• Attend workshops on resume writing, job search strategies, and graduate school information.
• Obtain and complete an internship before you graduate. Meet with your academic advisor or Career Services counselor at the beginning of your senior year, to discuss internship opportunities within your field of interest.
• Update and finalize your resume during the final semester of your senior year and enhance your cover-letter writing skills. Meet with your Career Services counselor for assistance.
• Develop a contact list of individuals who are willing to serve as personal references. Your reference list may consist of previous college professors or employment supervisors.
• Visit the Career Services library regularly for updates on job fairs and employment opportunities.
• Participate in a mock interview with a Career Services counselor.
• Before you graduate, establish a credential file with the Career Services office; meet with your Career Services counselor for assistance.

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