Four-Year Plan for Career Readiness
Heading down a successful career path means taking action early in your college career, and visiting Career & Professional Development at least once a year, every year. The foundation of your career development is in finding our office in Todd Wehr Hall, suite 215. The rest of your development is found in a series of interconnected career building areas you can dig into as soon as you arrive on campus and ending when you develop a satisfying career plan.
The recommendations below are based off of the NACE Competencies for Career Readiness. Some of the activities can be found in multiple competencies, to encourage you to understand the impact of your experiences. It is important to personalize your plan and re-evaluate it as you become more knowledgeable and gain new skills during your college years. Be sure to visit our career library where you can check-out career-related books, test prep guides, and helpful career development handouts.
PDF version of the 4-Year Plan
First-Year
Career & Self-Development:
- Schedule a meeting with a career counselor to create an individual 4-year plan and to find work/volunteer opportunities
- Identify career direction through assessments
- Explore your career through O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Build a résumé that accurately reflects skills and experiences
- Meet with a career counselor to identify and articulate strengths
Communication:
- Set-up your Handshake Profile
- Create a LinkedIn Account
- Learn about writing and tailoring your professional documents (résumé, cover letter, and references)
- Attend Career events and learn about networking with professional
- Utilize the Writing Center for course assignments
Critical Thinking:
- Explore St. Norbert majors and take Career Assessments
- Explore O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Explore "What Can I Do With A Major In...?" found on the Career & Professional Development Website
Equity & Inclusion:
- Learn more about study abroad or service trip opportunities
- Attend multicultural programs and celebrations on campus and in the community
Leadership:
- Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
- Manage personal emotions and empathically assess those of others
Professionalism:
- Attend Career & Internship Fair and other career events, to learn about employers and career opportunities
- Explore the Handouts & Guides section of The Office of Career & Professional Development's website, as well as the Career library found in our office
- Punctually attend courses, meetings, appointments, and other activities
- Thoroughly complete all assigned projects for courses and co-curricular activities
- Reflect on developmental opportunities and the repercussions of personal actions
Teamwork:
- Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
- Demonstrate ability to adapt to adapt to different team structures and manage conflict
- Meet with Career Counselors once per semester
Technology:
- Create your Handshake profile
- Create a LinkedIn Account
- Responsibly use social media accounts
- Explore The Office of Career & Professional Development website
- Learn how to appropriately format your professional documents
- Talk with a Career Counselor to create a Domain of One's Own
- View career videos on Handshake
Sophomore/Junior
Career & Self-Development:
- Identify career direction through assessments and be able to define career goals
- Seek out research opportunities in your field
- Attend the Fall & Spring Career and Internship Fairs to seek internship opportunities in your field
- Prepare for graduate and professional school entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
- Conduct informational interviews and network with professionals in your field
Communication:
- Learn how to articulate the NACE Competencies during an interview
- Continually update résumé, Handshake Profile, and LinkedIn Account
- Conduct Informational Interviews with professionals in your field
- Build strong interviewing skills by scheduling a Mock Interview with a career counselor
- Develop professional networking skills by attending career events
Critical Thinking:
- Explore your chosen field through O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Research and apply for internships, research opportunities, study abroad, or part-time job opportunities
- Research different graduate school schools and professional programs
Equity & Inclusion:
- Learn how to market your international experiences in your professional documents and through networking
- Continue to seek out new multicultural programs and celebrations on campus and in the community
Leadership:
- Seek out volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community
- Remain active in student organizations and seek leadership or executive board roles
- Be able to articulate leadership skills in interviews, on professional documents, and through networking
Professionalism:
- Schedule a meeting with a career counselor
- Ensure professional documents accurately reflect experience and skills
- Conduct informational interviews, job shadows, and network with professionals in your chosen field
- Immerse yourself in pre-professional student organizations
- Plan, organize, and prioritize coursework, co-curricular projects, and other commitments
Teamwork:
- Continue to pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Remain active in student organizations and seek leadership or executive board roles
- Connect with faculty and staff throughout campus
- Participate in the TRIPS program or find other volunteer opportunities
Technology:
- Explore and efficiently navigate job and internships sites like Handshake and LinkedIn
- Update social media accounts to reflect an appropriate and professional image
- Effectively format a résumé without the use of a template and text boxes
- Connect with SNC Alumni through LinkedIn
- Create an online portfolio of your work (coursework, student organizations, and internships/jobs) to showcase during interviews
Senior
Career & Self-Development:
- Engage in conversations with career counselors to better understand your individual job search process
- Research companies and positions of interest
- Create a personal budget, and understand the average salary and benefits necessary for you
- Self-navigate job options and workplace opportunities
Communication:
- Complete a mock interview with a career counselor
- Effectively articulate your wants, needs, and values during the job search
- Network with professionals in your chosen field
- Continuously update and tailor your professional documents for each position and/or graduate school you apply to
Critical Thinking:
- Research companies and positions of interest, and begin applying for positions
- Gather information about job offers
- Complete graduate and professional school applications, and prepare for the interview and admissions process
Equity & Inclusion:
- Effectively articulate your international experiences and how to leverage it in a job search
- Be able to communicate how you are able to work with diverse populations
- Attend local cultural events to learn more about diverse populations
Leadership:
- Continue to pursue leadership positions in student organizations
- Mentor peers looking to develop their competencies and skills
- Act as a resource to younger interns at your site
Professionalism:
- Learn how to ethically navigate job offers
- Invest in a professional wardrobe, appropriate to your field
- Attend the Career & Internship Fairs and other career events relevant to your career path
- Approach professional references, asking them to serve as a positive reference during your job search process
- Request letters of recommendations for graduate schools and possibly for job applications
Teamwork:
- Network with professionals in your field, as well as young professionals in the community
Technology:
- Actively monitor postings in Handshake and other job search sites
- Effectively use LinkedIn and other tools to network with potential employers
- Be able to complete a comprehensive job search online
- Create comprehensive and concise professional documents
First-Year
Career & Self-Development:
- Schedule a meeting with a career counselor to create an individual 4-year plan and to find work/volunteer opportunities
- Identify career direction through assessments
- Explore your career through O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Build a résumé that accurately reflects skills and experiences
- Meet with a career counselor to identify and articulate strengths
Communication:
- Set-up your Handshake Profile
- Create a LinkedIn Account
- Learn about writing and tailoring your professional documents (résumé, cover letter, and references)
- Attend Career events and learn about networking with professional
- Utilize the Writing Center for course assignments
Critical Thinking:
- Explore St. Norbert majors and take Career Assessments
- Explore O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Explore "What Can I Do With A Major In...?" found on the Career & Professional Development Website
Equity & Inclusion:
- Learn more about study abroad or service trip opportunities
- Attend multicultural programs and celebrations on campus and in the community
Leadership:
- Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
- Manage personal emotions and empathically assess those of others
Professionalism:
- Attend Career & Internship Fair and other career events, to learn about employers and career opportunities
- Explore the Handouts & Guides section of The Office of Career & Professional Development's website, as well as the Career library found in our office
- Punctually attend courses, meetings, appointments, and other activities
- Thoroughly complete all assigned projects for courses and co-curricular activities
- Reflect on developmental opportunities and the repercussions of personal actions
Teamwork:
- Pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Join and participate in student organizations and other co-curricular activities
- Demonstrate ability to adapt to adapt to different team structures and manage conflict
- Meet with Career Counselors once per semester
Technology:
- Create your Handshake profile
- Create a LinkedIn Account
- Responsibly use social media accounts
- Explore The Office of Career & Professional Development website
- Learn how to appropriately format your professional documents
- Talk with a Career Counselor to create a Domain of One's Own
- View career videos on Handshake
Sophomore/Junior
Career & Self-Development:
- Identify career direction through assessments and be able to define career goals
- Seek out research opportunities in your field
- Attend the Fall & Spring Career and Internship Fairs to seek internship opportunities in your field
- Prepare for graduate and professional school entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
- Conduct informational interviews and network with professionals in your field
Communication:
- Learn how to articulate the NACE Competencies during an interview
- Continually update résumé, Handshake Profile, and LinkedIn Account
- Conduct Informational Interviews with professionals in your field
- Build strong interviewing skills by scheduling a Mock Interview with a career counselor
- Develop professional networking skills by attending career events
Critical Thinking:
- Explore your chosen field through O*Net Online and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Research and apply for internships, research opportunities, study abroad, or part-time job opportunities
- Research different graduate school schools and professional programs
Equity & Inclusion:
- Learn how to market your international experiences in your professional documents and through networking
- Continue to seek out new multicultural programs and celebrations on campus and in the community
Leadership:
- Seek out volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community
- Remain active in student organizations and seek leadership or executive board roles
- Be able to articulate leadership skills in interviews, on professional documents, and through networking
Professionalism:
- Schedule a meeting with a career counselor
- Ensure professional documents accurately reflect experience and skills
- Conduct informational interviews, job shadows, and network with professionals in your chosen field
- Immerse yourself in pre-professional student organizations
- Plan, organize, and prioritize coursework, co-curricular projects, and other commitments
Teamwork:
- Continue to pursue work, volunteer, or internship opportunities
- Remain active in student organizations and seek leadership or executive board roles
- Connect with faculty and staff throughout campus
- Participate in the TRIPS program or find other volunteer opportunities
Technology:
- Explore and efficiently navigate job and internships sites like Handshake and LinkedIn
- Update social media accounts to reflect an appropriate and professional image
- Effectively format a résumé without the use of a template and text boxes
- Connect with SNC Alumni through LinkedIn
- Create an online portfolio of your work (coursework, student organizations, and internships/jobs) to showcase during interviews
Senior
Career & Self-Development:
- Engage in conversations with career counselors to better understand your individual job search process
- Research companies and positions of interest
- Create a personal budget, and understand the average salary and benefits necessary for you
- Self-navigate job options and workplace opportunities
Communication:
- Complete a mock interview with a career counselor
- Effectively articulate your wants, needs, and values during the job search
- Network with professionals in your chosen field
- Continuously update and tailor your professional documents for each position and/or graduate school you apply to
Critical Thinking:
- Research companies and positions of interest, and begin applying for positions
- Gather information about job offers
- Complete graduate and professional school applications, and prepare for the interview and admissions process
Equity & Inclusion:
- Effectively articulate your international experiences and how to leverage it in a job search
- Be able to communicate how you are able to work with diverse populations
- Attend local cultural events to learn more about diverse populations
Leadership:
- Continue to pursue leadership positions in student organizations
- Mentor peers looking to develop their competencies and skills
- Act as a resource to younger interns at your site
Professionalism:
- Learn how to ethically navigate job offers
- Invest in a professional wardrobe, appropriate to your field
- Attend the Career & Internship Fairs and other career events relevant to your career path
- Approach professional references, asking them to serve as a positive reference during your job search process
- Request letters of recommendations for graduate schools and possibly for job applications
Teamwork:
- Network with professionals in your field, as well as young professionals in the community
Technology:
- Actively monitor postings in Handshake and other job search sites
- Effectively use LinkedIn and other tools to network with potential employers
- Be able to complete a comprehensive job search online
- Create comprehensive and concise professional documents
Contact Us
Location
Todd Wehr Hall - 124
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: 920-403-3040
Email: careers@snc.edu
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