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Career Learning

Archives Troy Behrens' previously published columns

Troy Behrens, Ed.D., is executive director of SMU's Hegi Family Career Development Center. He writes "Career Learning" for SMU Parents online.

Simple Steps To A Semester Career Plan

Previous Columns The Secret Salary A Little Communication Goes a Long Way Sundaes, Cookies and One Sharp Ax Brand You: Feel the Passion What Employers Want New Graduates to Know Making a Summer Internship Count Interview Questions, Part IV: It's Practice Time! Interview Questions, Part III: Tricks and Other Stumbling Blocks Interview Questions, Part II: Your Plans and People Skills Interview Questions, Part I: Do's and Don'ts Finding a Summer Internship: There's Still Time Lessons From a Career Fair Where's the Consistency? Simple Steps to a Semester Career Plan Acing an Out-of-State Interview Anatomy of a December Job Search Going Global

SMU's Hegi Family Career Development Center specializes in helping students plan their careers, choose their majors and transition into the workforce. Of course, there is quite a bit of work involved in planning a career – and a successful process means keeping resources, options, contacts and directions organized.

This career timeline, developed with significant input from SMU career counselors Elke Arnold and Caryn Statman, will help all students – any major, any grade level – uncover, access and utilize the best career planning resources SMU has to offer. In addition, the career timeline is organized into "semester-sections" that offer students specific instructions and resources when it is appropriate for them to pursue and engage. In other words, students develop their careers in manageable pieces, and they pursue achievable goals only when the time is right.

Using this timeline will make any career planning endeavor manageable and rewarding. Follow the steps and enjoy the process – remember that the most meaningful learning occurs in the process, not with the attainment of the end result. As a famous career counselor once said, "God provides enough food to feed every bird...he just doesn't throw it in their nests."

First Year: First Semester

1. Meet with a career counselor to learn about services available at or through the Hegi Family Career Development Center.
2. Take a "career test" to:
   a. Discover your interests, abilities, values, and personality type through assessments and research.
   b. Explore college majors and potential career paths.
   
3. Review SMU's undergraduate catalog for course descriptions and requirements of possible majors.
4. Talk with people in each major area in which you have an interest: professors, advisers, etc.
5. Meet with your adviser to learn about a wide variety of courses that might help you find areas of interest.
6. Dedicate yourself to doing well academically. Go to class and participate. Develop good study skills and take advantage of campus resources that can help you.
7. Enroll in the Hegi Career Center's Career Class. See a career counselor for details.

First Year: Second Semester

1. Expand your career horizons through informal conversations. Talk with family members, friends, and acquaintances; network with professionals in fields that interest you.
2. Research fields in the Hegi Career Center library and online.
3. Attend career fairs and other events.
4. Get involved with on- and off-campus organizations to develop “transferable” skills. Explore various ways of honing these skills.
5. Begin developing a résumé to update each year. Use this worksheet to get you started.
6. Consider a summer internship to begin acquiring work experience in an area of interest. Use Career Center internship postings as a place to start looking.
7. Obtain a part-time job or do some volunteering, if you are not interning over the summer.

Sophomore Year: First Semester

1. Use DISCOVER online and other resources to continue exploration of self, majors, and careers.
2. Attend career fairs and other events.
3. Identify and research occupations related to possible majors through DISCOVER, online assessments, and other resources.
4. Choose your college major – study what you love!
5. Enroll in career class. See a career counselor for details.
6. Keep your grades up. Need help with studying? The A-LEC can help!
7. Expand your knowledge of career opportunities:
   a. Read about careers (Career Center library, online). There are many online resources available, including: CollegeBoard.com, WetFeet.com, and Vault.
   b. Talk with professionals in interesting careers – informational interviews – and get tips about how to conduct them.
   c. Spend a typical day on the job with a few professionals in different careers (job shadowing).
   d. Meet with faculty, a career counselor, and your academic adviser.

Second Semester

1. Attend career fairs and other events.
2. Research organizations and companies that offer internships – find one related to your career interests.
3. Update your résumé and cover letter for your summer internship / part-time job search. Review sample résumés and cover letters.
4. Build your networking contacts for references (professors, advisors, supervisors). Read tips about securing references. See sample reference sheets here and here.
5. Take on leadership roles in on- and off-campus activities. Develop transferable skills.
6. Apply to become a Career Center Advocate. E-mail Marva McGrew for more information.
7. Secure a summer internship.

Junior Year: First Semester

1. Meet with a career counselor to develop a specific plan of action outlining post-graduation plans. Call 214-768-2266 for more information. Review and adjust your academic plan to prepare for future career choices.
2. Explore two or three promising career alternatives in depth through various resources, including Web sites and job profiles, and by attending the career fair and other recruiting events. Narrow career choices and make tentative career decisions.
3. Continue informational interviews. Review the tips here.
4. Research potential employers and positions: Become familiar with work settings and job descriptions. Other links to company research can be found here and here.
5. Apply to become a Career Center Advocate. E-mail Marva McGrew for information.
6. Enroll in an Employability Training Class (Hegi Career Center). Contact Troy Behrens for more information.
7. Attend Graduate & Professional School Day. Contact Judy Carr for more information.

Second Semester

1. Attend career fairs and other recruiting events.
2. Have a distribution-ready résumé for internships and part-time job, and to prepare for job search after graduation. Use other résumé handouts such as those found here and here.
3. Practice writing cover letters. You can also find writing tips and samples here.
4. Schedule at least one mock interview with a career counselor. Call 214-768-2266 for more information.
5. Study abroad! It is critical to broaden your cultural perspective.
6. Take another summer internship or part-time job.
7. Thinking about graduate school? Talk to faculty members and career counselors to get their ideas.

Summer

1. Research schools for graduate programs using various online resources, including DISCOVER. In addition, research your funding options for graduate school.      
2. Find out about deadlines for applications.
3. Find out which standardized tests are required for admission.
4. Get to know your professors so they can provide a reference for you.

Senior Year: First Semester

1. Make full use of Hegi Career Center resources.
2. Attend career fairs and other events.
3. Network! Get tips here and here.
4. Develop multiple avenues for job searching (recruiting is just one of many ways), such as MustangTrak, online sources, job posting sites, career fairs and other events. Keep in mind safety tips when job searching, especially online.
5. Schedule a mock interview – practice to develop effective interviewing skills. Call 214-768-2266 for more information.
6. Finalize your résumé and work on cover letters.
7. Attend company information sessions.

Second Semester

1. Attend career fairs and other events.
2. Research employers before interviews! Use on-campus resources such as the Hegi Career Center, Business Information Center, Fondren Library Center, as well as online resources such as Vault, WetFeet, Hoover’s, etc.
3. Have references ready to go. A sample reference page can be found here.
4. Interview for jobs! Call 214-768-2266 to schedule a mock interview.
5. Narrow your graduate school choices.
6. Complete entrance exams.
7. Complete graduate school application materials.

Summer

1. Register with Alumni Services and stay connected with SMU.
2. Make note that you can visit the Hegi Career Center anytime for free career assistance for life.
3. Enjoy your future pursuits and GOOD LUCK!

>> Visit the Hegi Family Career Development Center online.

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