KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Prepared by the Career Services Staff at Kutztown University

 

 

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

 

 

EXPLORE CAREER AREAS

 

 

EXPLORE CAREER AREAS

 

EXPLORE CAREER AREAS

 

EXPLORE CAREER AREAS

 

 

 

C

A

R

E

E

R

·          Talk with parents, friends, professors

·          Use focus II

·          Identify the following

- Past accomplishments

- Skills & Abilities

- Career values

- Personality style

 

·          Read about Careers in Library

·          List short term goals

·          Talk with professionals in interesting careers (information interviews)

·          Apply for several summer jobs

·          Spend a day on the job with professionals in different careers

·          Try an internship

·          List tentative decisions about your career direction

·          Attend a resume writing workshop

·          Attend an interview prep workshop

·          Read about careers options in many areas

·          Become familiar with work settings & job descriptions

·          Gain experience through a related summer job

 

 

 

·          Attend the following workshops:

- Job search

- Interviewing

- Senior Orientation

·          Develop employer contact list

·          Attend Career Fairs(s)

Interview for job

- on campus

- independent

·          Explore ALL employment opportunities

·          Read professional journals, directories & other sources of employment information

 

 

EXPLORE THE UNIVERSITY

 

 

GAIN MORE INFORMATION

 

MAKE INITIAL CHOICES

 

LONG-TERM DECISIONS

 

 

A

C

A

D

E

M

I

C

·          Read course catalogue

·          Set academic advising appointment

·          Attend a workshop on:

- Study skills

- Test taking

·          Talk with upper-class students about general education courses

·          Think about taking summer classes

 

 

 

·          Make an appointment for academic advisement

·          Focus attention on attaining a good GPA

·          Choose a major

·          Write a tentative 4 yr. Academic plan

·          Talk with students in your major

·          Think about a study abroad program

·          Take some computer or business courses

 

·          Choose electives

·          Earn good grades in major courses

·          Attend seminars & conferences related to your major

·          Ask faculty about relationship between academic coursework & future plans

·          Is Grad School in your future? Find out when you need to apply and what you need to do

·          Degree check

 

·          Send out Grad School Applications

·          Develop a special senior project

·          Develop an independent study

·          Make a list of your long-term learning goals

·          Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 yrs.?

 

 

 

 

GAIN SELF-AWARENESS

 

EXPAND NEW ROLES

 

 

TAKE SOME RISKS

 

 

MAKE COMMITMENTS

 

P

E

R

S

O

N

A

L

·          Identify interests & values

·          Ask about individual counseling

·          Visit the University Counseling Center

·          List your major fears of college life

·          Discuss your changing relationship with parents

 

·          Get to know some International students

·          Find a mentor who can offer support

·          Plan discussions with others from different cultures

·          Seek out people to talk over problems with

·          Help another work through a problem

·          Discuss some of your decisions with a mentor

·          Test your ideas through a discussion group

·          List the components of your lifestyle

·          Talk to an alumni about your first year out of school

·          Make a list of your firm decisions

·          Write 3 goals for your life

·          List 5 fears about next year

 

 

INITIATE RELATIONSHIP

 

 

INCREASE INVOLVEMENT

 

 

EXERCISE NEW SKILLS

 

 

DEVELOP LEADERSHIP

 

 

S

O

C

I

A

L

·          Join Res. Hall or Greek organization

·          Join professional or business club

·          Join activity clubs

·          Allow regular time for leisure with regular get-together times

·          Work on Res. Hall or Greek project/program

·          Get involved in student government

·          Participate in intramurals

·          Invite Professor or Staff to Res. Hall

·          Run for an elected office

·          Apply for an R.A. position

·          Volunteer your time to help a civic organization

 

 

·          Chair a group

·          Supervise a student project

·          Lead a professional organization

·          Volunteer to work in one of the campus offices