At some point all students will be asked, "What do you want to do after graduation?" In order to make decisions about your future career plans, it is helpful to gather career-related information; evaluate your interests, skills, and values; and gain work, extracurricular, and leadership experience. Career planning, then, is a decision-making process, not a singular event.

To help students with the process of career planning, this roadmap includes helpful suggestions for your first, sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Four Year Roadmap

• First Year
• Second Year
• Third Year
• Fourth Year

If you would like to speak with someone regarding your career goals, please contact the Career Consultant for your college.

• Business Administration
• Carnegie Institute of Technology
• College of Fine Arts
• Humanities and the Arts
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Mellon College of Science
• School of Computer Science

For Career Center contact information, location, related bboards, and web sites, click here.

First Year
(Adjusting to college...increasing academic and career awareness)

1. Meet with your Career Consultant to begin exploring or confirming choice of major. Take an Interest Inventory if Career Consultant recommends.
2. Visit the Career Center's Web Page at www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/.
3. Sign-up to become a registered user in TartanTrak.
4. Develop a resume to use on/off campus and in TartanTrak.
5. Use the Career Center to help you make choices about school-year positions on/off campus and identify summer opportunities.
6. Take advantage of other social/academic organizations and services on-campus!
   

Second Year

(making and/or confirming decisions...exploring options)

1. Continue to meet with your Career Consultant to learn about all career-related issues.
2. Attend workshops and programs sponsored by the Career Center.
3. Make or confirm your choice of major. Begin exploring a double major or minor, if interested.
4. Consider part-time, on-campus positions and internships that relate to your major or would otherwise help you to develop additional skills. Use Career Center services such as counseling, campus interviews, career resource library, and TartanTrak.
5. Consider your study abroad options- Office of International Education.
6. Explore opportunities for independent research and creative projects through the Undergraduate Research Initiative Office.
7. Register with the Fellowship Resource Advising Center to receive scholarship/fellowship information. http://osf.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/index.html

Third Year

(clarifying goals and testing options)

1. Send for career materials from professional associations and consider joining one as a student member.
2. Devote a significant amount of time to seeking a summer job/internship related to your field.
3. Participate in campus organizations and/or volunteer projects - assume leadership positions.
4. Develop relationships with advisors and faculty members. Identify individuals who will serve as references for graduate school or employment.
5. Explore your options and desire to attend graduate or professional school. If interested, begin researching schools by using CollegeSource On-line. You will be able to view school's profile and college catalog at the designated computer in the Career Center.
6. If you are interested in medical or law school, talk with your advisor before spring about admission processes and testing. Contact: Amy Kennedy, Health Professions Advisor, 268-8494, or Joseph Devine, Pre-Law Advisor, 268-2924.

Fourth Year

1. Visit Career Center early for job search assistance.
2. Use meetings with Career Consultants, resources in the Career Center, and workshops for help with last minute resumes, employment letters, interviewing and job search strategies.
3. Network with parents, friends, alumni and others.
4. Contact employers using on-campus recruiting process, job fairs, TartanTrak vacancy listings, Career Resource Center directories and periodicals, and the web.
5. Use the CareerSearch database, to search for over one million employers nationwide. Contact the Career Center for website URL, username and password for access.
   
   Graduate School

1. Complete applications and take the necessary entrance exams.
2. Request faculty members and employers to serve as references. Start a credential file for graduate school application materials at the Career Center.
3. Continue researching graduate school funding sources by searching the Fellowship Resource Advising Center at http://osf.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/index.html.

www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career
For personalized directions, contact your
Career Consultant:

Business Administration (BA)
Jill Raden

Carnegie Institute of Technology (CIT)
Lisa Dickter
Carol Young

College of Fine Arts (CFA, BHA, BSA)
Humanities and Arts, Sciences and Arts
Harriet Schwartz

Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS)
Jennifer Burkett
Courtney Little

Mellon College of Science (MCS)
Renee Starek

School of Computer Science (SCS)
Kevin Collins

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:30-6:00pm
Friday 8:30-5:00pm
(when classes are in session)
Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00pm
(when classes are not in session)

UC Lower Level * Pittsburgh, Pa 15213 * (412) 268-2064
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