Career Planning (year-by-year)

Career development involves assessing skills, interests, and values, researching career options, and taking steps towards your career goals. Career Services offers a variety of resources to assist in this process. You are investing a significant amount of time, effort, and money in your OWU education. Your future deserves the same attention and means asking tough questions. The following suggestions are meant to provide a general guideline in helping OWU students make sound career decisions. Faculty may also find this information useful as a guideline for assisting students in the career decision making process.

Freshmen

Unsure about the direction of your academic program? Completely uncertain about your choice of major?

• Talk with your faculty advisor, other faculty members, and a career advisor.
• Begin taking classes that fulfill academic requirements - explore choices of a major.
• Take a "fun" class; something that interests you and to which you have had little exposure.
• Utilize the library resources at Career Services to read more about career opportunities consistent with your academic interests.
• Complete self -assessment tools (i.e. Self-Directed Search, Campbell Skill & Interest Inventory) to help you determine your interests, skills, and values.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities that interest you!
• Pursue summer jobs or volunteer opportunities related to your interests. Develop a good work ethic!
• Attend career-related workshops on campus.

Sophomores

This is the year that you will probably declare your major. Your major will not determine what you do the rest of your life. Most people change careers several times, and your liberal arts background will be valuable for adaptation! However, you definitely want to take some time to explore the academic and career options available to you. Make your own decision. Parents and friends may have good advice, but they don't have to take the classes.

• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss connections between your major and the world of work.
• If you are having difficulty deciding on your major, talk with faculty member(s) within departments which interest you.
• Assess your interests, skills, and values. Several self-assessment tools are available.
• Begin talking with people about their careers, their backgrounds, and the rewards and challenges of their jobs.
• Obtain a list of alumni through the Volunteer Career Assistance Network (VCAN) to speak with regarding choice of major or career fields.
• Volunteer, work on-campus, or become involved in student organizations that will contribute to your hands-on experience.
• Explore off-campus study and research opportunities.
• Enhance your leadership skills.
• Pursue summer jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities related to your career interests.

Juniors

Begin the career planning process before your senior year. The challenge of balancing your academic pursuits with your job/graduate school search is only one reason to begin now.

• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to prepare for your senior year.
• Talk with faculty advisors, mentors, alumni, and peers about your career or graduate school plans.
• Investigate professional associations related to your career options. Think about attending conferences and networking through these professional contacts.
• Develop a network of people who can help you in your career planning. Consider using the Volunteer Career Assistance Network (VCAN) as a means of contacting OWU alumni who have volunteered to assist students with this process.
• Do some research on careers that interest you by looking through materials in the Career Services Library.
• Write a draft of your resume. Have your resume proofread by a career advisor and at least two other people. Resumes take longer than you may expect; give yourself time to produce an excellent final copy.
• Begin cultivating relationships with at least three potential references (employers and professors).
• Pursue internships related to your career interests in order to gain relevant skills and experiences.

Considering Graduate School?

• Identify and write to graduate schools for applications, program details, and fellowship/ assistantship information.
• Plan to register early for graduate school entrance exams (i.e. GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT).

Seniors

Manage the career planning process throughout your senior year - creatively utilize your time to focus on your academics and your job or graduate school applications.

• Attend a Senior Orientation workshop. This workshop is required for all seniors who wish to participate in on-campus recruiting.
• Register for Career Services' e-mail lists related to your fields of interest.
• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor in early fall.
• Refine your resume and cover letters with the help of a career advisor.
• If interested in graduate school, choose which programs you are applying to and send applications in early.
• Continue to talk with faculty advisors or mentors about your career or graduate school plans.
• Identify potential employers and job vacancies.
• Meet with a career advisor for a video-taped mock interview to help you polish your interviewing skills.
• Ask at least three people (employers and professors) if they would be willing to serve as a positive reference for you. You may want to establish a credentials file with Career Services, where you can store employment or graduate school letters of reference from these individuals.
• Contact alumni involved in the Volunteer Career Assistance Network (VCAN) who are willing to give you advice about entry-level opportunities in your chosen field.
• Take advantage of on-campus interviewing, information sessions, and job fairs.