My Life After K…
As I move through my four years at K, I can use these checklists to develop the knowledge, skills, and networks I’ll need to succeed in my life after K.
First-Year: Explore
Who do I want to be?
I will …
- Meet with a CCPD Career Coach to talk about how my interest and passions connect to industries and job functions
- Discover my interests through jobs, service-learning, campus activities, and/or athletics
- Stop by the CCPD during drop-in hours to get started on Handshake, LinkedIn, and my resume
- Check out the CCPD’s online resources and learn how to use Handshake
- Consider my values, personality, and strengths through career assessment tools
- Meet alumni professionals at CCPD events
- Make use of my professors’ office hours so they will know me when I need a recommendation
- Use the summer to gain experience by doing a job shadow, externship, internship and/or relevant summer job
Sophomore Year: Experience
What do I want to do with my life?
In addition to the list above, I will …
- Add my summer experiences to Handshake, LinkedIn, and my resume
- Meet with a Career Coach to talk about how to find opportunities to build new skills and make new connections
- Research what others have done with majors I’m considering
- Build my network of face-to-face and online professional contacts
- Meet alumni through LinkedIn and in person through networking receptions
- Request informational interviews with alumni professionals who have interesting career paths
- Attend CCPD events and check out local graduate school and/or job fairs
- If I’m going on Study Abroad, consider the skills I want to build while away and draft an ICRP resume
- Add some business professional clothing to my wardrobe
- Secure a summer opportunity in my potential field
Junior Year: Expand
How do I get there from here?
In addition to the lists above, I will …
- Meet with a career coach, via Skype if I’m abroad, to talk about initial plans for next steps afer graduation: i.e. work, gap year, graduate school
- If I’m on campus, visit the CCPD and attend CCPD events and local graduate school and/or job fairs
- If I’m thinking of graduate school, research application deadlines and register for admission tests
- Consider post-baccalaureate opportunities including fellowships and scholarships
- Plan for my all-important junior summer of SIP research and/or an internship
- Expand my professional network, face-to-face and online via LinkedIn
- Start reading the news and joining professional organizations in the fields I’m considering
- Get my interview suit, practice interviewing with a career coach and with Big Interview
- Schedule job shadows with alumni professionals in careers I’m considering
Senior Year: Embark
Am I ready for my life after K?
In addition to the lists above, I will …
- Meet with a career coach for help defining my next steps after graduation and developing a back-up plan
- Perfect my resume, my Handshake and LinkedIn profiles, my online presence, and my elevator pitch
- Complete my graduate school and financial aid applications
- Attend CCPD Events
- Activate my network for job leads, keep a list of confirmed references
- Keep my interview suit clean and pressed
- Apply for post-baccalaureate opportunities and/or fellowships and scholarships
- Apply for job opportunities, evaluate and negotiate offers
- Complete the First Destination Survey, knowing I may update it through the fall after graduation
- Share my search and my success with CCPD staff and alumni who have helped me
Connect with a CCPD career coach for help every step of the way! Visit during drop-in hours, call 269.337.7183, stop by the CCPD on the first floor of Dewing to make an appointment, or book an appointment online through Handshake.