PARENTS Career Path (Timeline)
The Pomerantz Career Center has developed the following list of activities as guidelines to prepare yourself throughout your college years for life after graduation. We encourage you to begin using the Career Center during your first year at the UI and let us help you work through this timeline. To set up an appointment, call 335-1023. |
 Career Path Timeline Checklist Fill in and save this checklist to help you keep track of where you are at in the process. |
FIRST YEAR
- Visit the Pomerantz Career Center and learn how to use the services.
- Meet with a career advisor to help clarify career interests and options.
- Learn about the assessments offered to identify interests and explore career goals.
- Identify your main areas of interest (hobbies, school subjects, etc.) and what careers they relate to.
- Locate at least two student organizations to join that will help explore and define your career goals.
- Participate in volunteer opportunities that can add to your skill sets.
- Determine the values that are important to you in a career (prestige, flexibility, challenge, etc.)
- Identify your three strongest talents or skills (academic and personal).
- Attend at least one Career Fair to find out more about prospective careers.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
- Learn about the Pearson Career Library and other reference materials available at the Pomerantz Career Center.
- Visit your academic advisor to discuss UI courses that you could take to help you gain additional skills (i.e. computer courses, career exploration classes, etc.)
- Understand how to conduct an informational interview and participate in at least two.
- Create your first resume
- Explore all and participate in at least two of the following:
- Internship
- Part-time work
- Externship, Job Shadowing or Informational Interview
- Volunteer work / Service learning
- Summer employment
- Career Fairs (attend the career fairs for information on different career options as well as to network with employers to
find internships and full-time opportunities) - Study Abroad or international volunteer experience
- Choose your major
JUNIOR YEAR
- Make a tentative career goal and a list of alternative career options.
- Develop a strategic plan to achieve your career goals.
- Visit your career advisor and academic advisor to coordinate guidance and planning.
- Start to evaluate graduate and professional programs if needed.
- Attend an Employment EXPO activation session and learn how to search for internships and sign up for on-campus interviews.
- Update and polish your resume – is it career specific?
- Write a sample cover letter and have it reviewed.
- Engage in a mock interview.
- Conduct an internship search and participate in at least one internship during this year.
- Have your internship noted on your transcript.
- Attend appropriate Career Fairs (both fall and spring) to identify and apply for internships.
SENIOR YEAR
- Create an individualized job search plan.
- Meet with someone at the Pomerantz Career Center to brainstorm job search strategies.
- Search the web for jobs and employer information – know how to perform company research.
- Come to the Pomerantz Career Center for resume, cover letter, and interviewing critiquing services.
- Build upon your existing resume by making it job specific.
- Talk with individuals (professor, former employer, or mentor) who will serve as your references and give them a copy of your resume.
- Sign up for UI Employment Expo if you haven't yet!
- Polish your interview skills—be able to articulate short and long term goals.
- Consider doing a second internship as a way of transitioning into the world of work.
- Attend appropriate Career Fairs (both fall and spring) to identify and apply for internships and/or full-time employment.