Four-Year Student Career Plan
Time is on your side. Don't wait until your senior year to begin thinking about your career. Follow these steps throughout your four years at EIU. Early planning will ensure you have the right skills to be a top candidate and increase your chances of getting that internship and full time job upon graduation!
Freshman Year | Sophomore Year | Junior Year | Senior Year
Freshman Year
- Use the Focus 2 online assessment program.
This web-based self-assessment program allows you to learn about yourself, what types of majors and careers may match your interests and abilities and what educational path you'll need to take to pursue those careers. Schedule your follow-up appointment with a Career Advisor to discuss the results and get started on your career plan.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.
Learn what cool fields with bright futures fit your needs and goals. Early career planning with a Career Counselor will ensure you have the right skills to be the top candidate and increase your chances of getting that internship and full time job upon graduation! - Check out the "What Can I Do with This Major" list. This provides you with career titles for EIU majors and includes links to industry information. Great resource to research different careers.
- Join a Registered Student Organization or Club.
Get out and meet other students and develop collaboration skills and an understanding and sensitivity to diversity.
- Develop good study habits and keep your grades up.
Employers want candidates with a good academic record.
- Complete an Externship.
Test drive your career choice by completing an Externship (job shadowing) experience. This is an excellent opportunity for you to determine if this is the right fit for you and it may very well open doors for future internships and full time jobs. It has worked for other EIU grads!
- Gain summer work experience.
Get experience related to your major or career field. Establish a record of reliability and productivity in a work setting. Be sure to get a letter of recommendation from your employer.
- Connect with employers at our Career Fairs and develop your networking skills.
Even as a freshman you should attend the career fairs to gather information on potential careers and employers.
- Log into HANDSHAKE
Gain access to summer jobs, internships, employer/industry information, post your resume, schedule on-campus interviews & more!
Sophomore Year
- Participate in student organizations/clubs.
Seek leadership positions and take an active role to gain work-related skills. Don't limit your success to the classroom!
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.
Confirm your career interests and start working on the skills needed to be successful.
- Attend Career Services workshops.
Get information on resumes, interviewing, job search strategies, dining etiquette, and more!
- Complete an Externship.
Test drive your career choice by completing an Externship (job shadowing) experience. Even if you did one as a Freshman, do another one, if needed.
- Gain summer work experience.
Get experience related to your major or career field. Establish a record of reliability and productivity in a work setting. Be sure to get a letter of recommendation from your employer.
- Research internship possibilities.
Start exploring your options for an internship experience in your Junior or Senior year.
- Develop your resume
Review tips and examples on Career Services website. Have your resume critiqued by a Career Advisor for suggestions.
- Connect with employers at Career Fairs.
Excellent opportunity to gather information on potential careers and employers. Build your confidence in speaking and networking with recruiters.
- Log into HANDSHAKE
If you have not done so already, log into HANDSHAKE to gain access to summer jobs, internships, employer/industry information, on-campus interviews & more!
- Keep your grades up.
GPA is often considered for internships and full time opportunities. Don't forget why you are here.
Junior Year
- Update your resume.
Review tips and examples on Career Services website. Have your resume critiqued by a Career Advisor for suggestions.
- Do an internship!
Gain exposure and career-related experience through an internship, volunteering, or part time job.
- Be a leader in your student organization/club.
Actively participate to gain skills that employers look for: leadership skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, etc.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.
Continue working on your career plan and job search strategy.
- Attend Career Services workshops.
Get information on resumes, interviewing, job search strategies, dining etiquette, and more!
- Do a Mock Interview.
Practice your interviewing skills with a Career Counselor. Get valuable suggestions and feedback.
- Research organizations and jobs.
Use the internet and your HANDSHAKE account to gather information about your target jobs and employers. Be informed to make better decisions.
- Connect with employers at Career Fairs.
A must for juniors & seniors!! Excellent opportunity to network with employers and find internships & full time employment.
- Log into HANDSHAKE
If you have not done so already, log into HANDSHAKE to post your resume and search through thousands of internship & full time job listings.
- Participate in On-Campus Interviews.
Increase your chances of getting a job offer--interview with employers right here on campus without missing class!
- Obtain letters of recommendation.
Ask employers, faculty members, advisors, etc. for letters of recommendation. Make sure to keep track of all past employment dates, supervisor names, etc.
- Research graduate/professional school possibilities.
Is it the right path for you? Speak with a Career Counselor to discuss grad school alternatives. Find out about application requirements, deadlines, admission tests, etc.
- Initiate a degree audit and apply for graduation.
Contact the dean's office of the appropriate college for your degree for more information.
- Maintain a strong GPA.
GPA is often considered for internships and full time opportunities. Don't forget why you are here.
Senior Year
- Update your resume.
Keep your resume current at all times. Add internship and other work experiences. Have your resume critiqued by a Career Advisor for suggestions.
- Pursue leadership roles in your student organizations/clubs.
Use this to enhance your "marketability" to employers.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.
Finalize plans for your job search strategy. Get advice on prioritizing your job offers.
- Attend Career Services workshops.
Get information on resumes, interviewing, job search strategies, dining etiquette, and more!
- Sharpen your interviewing skills through a Mock Interview.
Practice your interviewing skills with a Career Counselor. Get valuable suggestions and feedback.
- Research organizations and jobs.
Use the internet and your HANDSHAKE account to gather information about your target jobs and employers. Be informed to make better decisions.
- Connect with employers at Career Fairs.
A must for seniors!! Excellent opportunity to network with employers and find full time employment.
- Log into HANDSHAKE
Don't wait!! Log in now and post your resume for immediate resume referrals to employers. Also gain access to thousands of full time jobs, employer/industry information, on-campus interviews & more!
- Interview with employers on & off campus.
Increase your chances of getting a job offer -- interview with employers right here on campus without missing class! Send thank you notes to all persons who interview you.
- Network with anyone who might possibly open doors for you.
Most jobs are found through networking. Make the most of the Career Services' Career Fairs and special events. Make connections with faculty, alumni, neighbors, family friends, etc.
- Obtain letters of recommendation.
Ask employers, faculty members, advisors, etc. for letters of recommendation. Make sure to keep track of all past employment dates, supervisor names, etc.
- Maintain solid grades.
Don't slack off on your grades when it means the most. GPA is still very important to employers looking for dedicated, hard-working candidates.
- Graduate with a job offer!! Congratulations!
