College Career Planning 

Freshman - Start Now!
  • Set personal, academic, and career exploration goals
  • Assess your interests, skills, and values and how these relate to various careers.  Consider taking inventories, such as Focus2, Strong Interest Inventory (SII), and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
  • Use Career Resource Library and other sources (alumni, faculty, family) to research majors/careers
  • Participate in extra-curricular activities
  • Obtain part-time employment, a volunteer position, and/or a summer job in an area of interest
  • Consult with Academic Advisor
  • Become familiar with the majors at WC
  • Learn/Practice college study skills
  • Become familiar with WC educational support services, such as tutoring, language labs, and the library
  • Enroll in various courses to explore interests and majors
  • Begin to establish a strong GPA
  • Always seek assistance if needed

Sophomore

  • Continue career exploration through the Career Resource Library/other resources
  • Job shadow with professionals in careers of interest
  • Conduct informational interviews
  • Select a major by the end of the spring semester
  • Utilize resume writing information to draft a resume
  • Make an appointment for resume critique
  • Obtain part-time, career-related work/volunteer/internship experience
  • Become more active in student organizations
  • Consult with Academic Advisor
  • Enroll in courses to further explore possible majors/careers
  • Utilize resources/workshops available through the Center for Career Development
  • Consider studying abroad
  • Apply for summer internship
  • Maintain strong GPA

Junior

  • Relate chosen major to specific career fields
  • Discuss vocational interests with faculty and alumni willing to assist (network)
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals
  • Participate in internship or experiential learning experience
  • Utilize the Center for Career Development resources and workshops
  • Take on leadership roles in campus organizations
  • Participate in video-taped mock interviews
  • Meet with the Center for Career Development staff as needed
  • Consult with Academic Advisor
  • Join student/professional associations related to academic/career interests
  • Choose elective courses to enhance and strengthen qualifications
  • Investigate graduate school programs, if applicable
  • Utilize internet for graduate school catalogs and applications, if applicable
  • Maintain strong GPA

Senior

  • Attend Senior Orientation held early in fall semester
  • Share career/graduate school goals with Center for Career Development staff
  • Build on career-related work/internship experience
  • Register for on-campus interviews, if applicable
  • Attend Westminster College Career EXPO
  • Check out job openings available through the Center for Career Development
  • Attend Resume Writing, Interviewing, Job Searching, and Networking workshops in fall
  • Have resume and cover letters critiqued at the Center for Career Development
  • Continue to network and develop more career-related contacts with alumni and other professionals
  • Prioritize participation in campus activities and professional organizations
  • Set aside time every week to work on job/graduate school search - very important
  • Complete Senior Questionnaire before leaving campus
  • Consult with Academic Advisor
  • Apply to graduate/professional schools, if applicable
  • Check with Registrar to make sure you meet graduation requirements
  • Take courses that will further enhance your career goals and provide you with additional skills helpful in the workplace (i.e. professional communication, advanced writing classes, and computer classes)
  • Let the Office of Career Services know when you secure employment or acceptance to a graduate program
  • Maintain strong GPA
For More Information

Contact the Center for Career Development in the lower level of Newnham Hall by e-mail , or call ext. 5381 to set up an appointment.