Happy Spring semester, Knights! Career planning can be daunting, but here are 5 attainable goals to help jump-start your career in the spring semester.
1. Attend Career Events
Two major career fairs are hosted during the Spring semester: the Internship & Career Fair for College of Arts & Sciences, Education and Public Health and the Internship & Career Fair for School of Global Business. Before going to a career fair, you should have your résumé reviewed at the OCE, practice your elevator pitch, and dress for success. Attend OCE’s Résumé Revival on February 7th to get your free LinkedIn headshot, shop for affordable professional clothes, and get your résumé reviewed by an expert!
2. Find an Internship
Internships can help build your professional skills, gain first-hand experience, and get you hired faster upon graduation. If you are interested in a summer internship, don’t wait till April to start looking because most applications close in March. You can find paid and unpaid internships on Handshake, through your network, and by connecting with recruiters at career events. You can also meet with a Career Advisor to discuss internship search strategies.
3. Utilize Resources and Services at the OCE
Our dedicated OCE team is passionate about helping you throughout your career planning and development. Meet with an OCE member to discuss career-related topics, have your résumé reviewed, and more! Take advantage of OCE’s career development programs that will help you succeed, such as the e3 Career Action Plan and ASAP student employment program.
4. Update Your Résumé and LinkedIn Profile
When was the last time you updated your résumé? Do you have a custom LinkedIn URL? It’s important to polish your résumé (and cover letter) before you start a job/internship application. Your résumé and LinkedIn profile should be updated regularly to reflect your current role and accomplishments. Schedule a meeting with the OCE to have your documents reviewed, and get your professional headshot taken while you are here!
5. Choose A Major
If you are trying to decide on a major or considering changing your major, discuss your options and the requirements with your Academic Advisor. You can meet with the OCE and learn about the connection between your major and career. Additionally, use the resources below to help you make a decision:
- Select A Major – Resources and articles on how to choose a major
- TypeFocus – A career self-assessment tool that helps you find out what major/career will best fit your natural strengths (it takes about 20 minutes to complete)
- What Can I Do With This Major? – Careers options, advice, and job sites for more than 80 majors
Remember, you are not alone in your career journey. If you need additional information or further assistance, please stop by the OCE in Knight Hall 100, email careerhelp@arcdia.edu, call 215-572-2939, or schedule a meeting. Happy Spring, and happy job hunting!
