Outline Your Undergrad Experience

Studies have shown that if you write down your goals you are much more likely to actually accomplish them. Well writing down your goals is one thing, but the next step is how do you get there? You need a plan! You can simply write a list of things you need to do to reach that goal or even create a timeline. The following is a basic timeline to follow throughout your 4 years of undergraduate study. Are you a junior or senior? Don't worry! It is never too late to start organizing what you want to be accomplishing!

Freshman Year:

• Consider college as preparation for your life.
• Get to know yourself!
  “Three things are very hard: steel, a diamond and to know one’s self.” – Ben Franklin
• Enroll in core courses with assistance from your advisors.
• Make a tentative selection of a major. Is engineering for you?
• Learn about resources available on Campus.
• Take UBE 101 University Experience course.
• Participate in Campus Activities.
• Take UBE 202, Career Planning course.
• Begin to consider possible career choices.
• Get to know faculty, counselors, and administrators. Make the effort!
• Start your RESUME! It is an ongoing process. It is easier to make little adjustments than start from scratch your senior year!
• Summer vacation:
  Obtain work experience to develop interpersonal skills, help finance your education, and build responsible work habits

Sophomore Year:

• Complete intro courses in your prospective major.
• Begin self-assessment, by identifying your interests, strengths, skills, abilities, and values.
• Take advantage of career counseling.
• Start developing short and long term goals. (decide if you're going to want or need to go to graduate school directly after graduating)
• Learn about the world of work and explore occupations using FOCUS, a free web-based career guidance program, on Bullseye.
• Research occupations: training needed, demand for jobs, alternatives, etc.
• Use the "Meet a Mentor" program and conduct information interviewing on your own.
• After selecting an occupational area, finalize an appropriate major.
• Take UBE 202 Career Planning course (if you did not take during freshman year).
• Summer vacation:
  Gain exposure to the world of work through employment or volunteer experience. Utilize these experiences to further develop your work-related skills and improve your self-confidence.

Junior Year:

• Study your major in-depth with several courses in your chosen career field.
• Join organizations in your chosen field.
• Gain relevant experience through an internship or co-operative educational experience.
• Check your attitude toward your major/career; see a career counselor.
• Continue to get to know faculty, counselors, and administrators. (You will need them for letters of reference)
• Take electives in other areas to enhance your qualifications. Learn additional computer and foreign language skills.
• Begin to investigate the role of graduate and professional school in your chosen career field, and plan your application timeline. Attend the graduate school fair in the fall.
• Start taking on leadership roles! clubs, organizations, research, teaching assistant, etc.
• Summer vacation:
  -Secure employment or an internship related to your career goals. Use this experience to evaluate your career decision.
  -Take your standardized tests for graduate and professional school admissions! (if needed)

Senior Year:

• Start asking for letters of reference in early fall semester.
• Complete the course requirements in your major.
• Plan your job search.
• Attend Career Services' workshops to brush up on job search skills, including resumes, cover letters, interviews, and job search strategies.
• Conduct a thorough job search campaign.
• Take advantage of On-Campus Interviewing and attend Employer Group Information Sessions, if applicable.
• Discuss opportunities with faculty and counselors.
• Develop a timetable for your career development after graduation.

Throughout your years continue to come up with goals and work towards achieving them whether they are large or small.

GOODLUCK!