“So what are you going to do after you graduate?” Posted on May 6th, 2011 by

Taken From: “Senior Year Timeline” by Tom Denham on 4/22/2011



“So what are you going to do after you graduate?” are words that make most college Seniors panic. Perhaps you were hoping that this was the year to just coast, but being overscheduled with school, a part-time job, your significant other, and now finding the right career is making you stressed and anxious. This is a transition year so stay flexible and positive! Now is the time to integrate the experiences, knowledge and self-discovery of the past three years into a job or graduate school search. Here is your timeline for senior year success.



Summer before your Senior Year

Graduate School Checklist:

· Google and research several programs that interest you and identify the application deadline dates; check out GradSchools.com.

· Request catalogs, applications, and financial aid forms; visit campuses, meet with Financial Aid Counselors; narrow your choices.

· Take an entrance exam prep course and register to take appropriate admission tests (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.).

· Buy interview clothes and bring them to campus

Job Search Checklist:

· Target three to five cities as places to live after Commencement; visit them if possible and evaluate their suitability.

· Google and research all the companies that meet your job search criteria and set up an organizing system.

· Buy interview clothes and bring them to campus

FALL TERM

  • Make your job or graduate school search a top priority from the start!!!
  • Meet with Cynthia Favre to develop a year-long plan of action that will help you stay on track.
  • Practice Interviewing and improve your delivery with a video-taped Mock Interview on InterviewStream
  • Update your one page resume and cover letter and be sure to have it carefully critiqued bring it to Cynthia Favre or e-mail it to career-center@gustavus.edu; post it online at GustieJobs; buy resume paper from the Gustavus Bookmark.
  • Gain more experience with part-time internships (Talk to Corrie Odland, Interim Internship Director), community service (stop by the Center for Servant Leadership to find opportunities) or jobs that can quickly build your resume.
  • Take on a leadership role in campus organizations to further develop your communication, teamwork and organizational skills.
  • Record a professional message on your voice mail.
  • Read relevant handouts and resources from the Career Center; attend Employer Information Day (Tuesday, September 27, 2011), Government Job Fair (Friday, October 21, 2011) and Information Sessions on the February Job and Internship Fair.
  • Establish a LinkedIn account to help organize your network of connections; form a “Dream Team” of your best contacts.
  • Network, network and network with alumni and others about your future plans and be sure to collect business cards.
  • Identify professional associations that are related to your major or career field and join as a “Student Member.”
  • Request letters of reference from faculty and internship supervisors for both graduate school and future employers.
  • Send thank you notes after each graduate school or job interview.
  • Use the Career Center website regularly.

Graduate School Checklist:

  • Meet with your Advisor and Career Counselors to discuss your graduate school ideas and have your essay critiqued (also ask for help from the Writing Center on campus).
  • Request catalogs, applications, and financial aid forms; visit campuses, meet with Financial Aid Counselors; narrow your choices.
  • Order transcripts and submit applications including Fellowships and Assistantships; create a back-up plan if you get rejected.

Job Search Checklist:

  • Google and research all the companies that meet your job search criteria and set up an organizing system.
  • Take advantage of on-campus and off-campus recruitment programs.
  • Send out tailored (not mass mailed) resumes and cover letters each week.
  • Stop by your local public library to browse their career resource area and review their binders of job listings.
  • Be persistent when following up with email and phone calls to prospective employers; ask for an interview.
  • Spend 20% of your time searching online, attending job fairs, using temp agencies and the classifieds.
  • Spend 80% of your time meeting key professionals and networking your way to your new job!

SPRING TERM

  • Meet with Cynthia Favre; seek advice on evaluating job and graduate school offers.
  • Thank your references for their assistance and inform them of your success by sending a note of appreciation.
  • Continue doing Fall Term suggestions until plans for after graduation are finalized (i.e. you find a job or choose a grad school)
  • Begin the relocation and transition process from undergraduate to graduate student or employee; be flexible.

Graduate School Checklist:

  • Seek advice from your Advisor, then choose your graduate school and send in a deposit to reserve your spot.
  • Inform other universities that accepted you of your decision so they can admit other students on their waiting list.

Job Search Checklist:

  • Interview with spring term recruiters on and off-campus.
  • Double your networking efforts!!!

 

Comments are closed.