Career Education - Career Placement and Services

An Investment in Your Future!

Think of career planning as a lifelong process. It began before you even entered college and it will continue long after you graduate. Ultimately, you will have more career success and job satisfaction if you are an active participant in your career development. We hope this plan serves as a guide for a successful and fulfilling journey.

Freshman Year

I’m really not sure I’ve chosen the right major. Help! Everybody else seems so sure of their choice. Am I the only one who doesn’t know?
If I major in ________ what can I do with that?
A resume?
I’m only a freshman, do I need one now?

Start Gathering Information for the Journey. Ask Plenty of Questions.

Learn about resources available to you at Maryville – the people, places and things that can help you. Start in the Career Education Office on the ground floor of Mouton Hall.

Begin the self- assessment process. What do you like? What don’t you like? Use the Strong Interest Inventory to identify your interests and their relevance to career choices. Get the password for this assessment tool in the Career Education Office.

Enroll in core courses and identify subjects that interest you. Strive for good grades your very first semester. Your GPA can be used as a screening factor for employment in an internship or full-time job.

Talk with your academic advisor to create an academic plan. Know how many credit hours are required to graduate and take responsibility to stay on track.

Work with a Peer Tutor if you need extra help in your classes.

Start building a resume by getting involved in campus activities.

Obtain a part-time or summer job related to your career interests.

Review the resource books on a variety of career fields available in the Career Education Office.

Sophomore Year

I think I want to switch majors. Can I still do that and graduate “on time”?
My parents want to know if I can get a job in this field. How do I find out?
How do I find out what this career is really like?

Explore New Opportunities. Establish a Solid Career Foundation.

Review What Can I Do With This Major? on the Career Education website,
www.maryville.edu/careered.

Talk with your faculty advisor about the requirements for your major and career possibilities in that subject.

If you have not done so, take the Strong Interest Inventory to review or refine your career interests.

Become involved with campus activities or a community service project.

Learn about cooperative education and internships to gain experience in your field.

Consider joining a professional association as a student member.

Arrange an informational interview with someone in the field you are considering.

Junior Year

How do I even start looking for a job?
Should I start now?
Can I get academic credit for the job or internship I already have?
I think I know what I want to do, but how do I focus on specific job possibilities?
Maybe I should consider attending graduate school. How do I do that research?

Chart Your Course and Set Strategic Goals.

With your advisor’s help, select elective courses to expand your employment marketability.

Take a leadership role in campus organizations. Consider being an RA, a Peer Tutor, a Student Ambassador or an Orientation Leader.

Get started on updating your resume and have your resume reviewed in the Career Education Office.

Talk with faculty members about graduate school programs. Check various universities’ websites for application and admission requirements.

Be sure to register for co-op or internship credit and discuss your learning plan with your faculty advisor. Do this within the first month of the semester.

Build your network of contacts through participation in professional events in your field.

If needed, begin the “Extreme Makeover” by assembling an appropriate professional interview and work wardrobe.

Edit your profiles on various social networking websites to remove any questionable content that could sabotage your job search.

Senior Year

I graduate this year. When do I start looking for a job?
Do I need to practice for my job interviews?
None of the companies that come to campus or post jobs are looking for people in my major.
How do I find out about other opportunities?
What if I don’t get accepted to graduate or professional school? What then?
Will the Career Education Office “place” me in a job?

This is What You’ve Been Working Hard to Accomplish! Go For It!

Verify with your advisor that you will meet all graduation requirements.

Consider another internship or cooperative education position that gives you additional experience.

Create a job search folder and keep your resumes, cover letters and job contact information organized and up-to-date.

Obtain a copy of the most current Job Choices magazine from the Career Education Office.

Finalize details on your resume. Proofread several times. Update as needed.

Complete a basic cover letter that you can customize for any job you may seek.

Participate in mock interviews to fine-tune your interviewing technique.

Attend the annual Etiquette Dinner to polish your social and dining skills.

Complete salary research for your occupation. This helps in negotiating your starting salary.

Use on-line resources and learn how to find employers that traditionally don’t recruit on college campuses

Develop an alternative to graduate school attendance. Always have Plan B.

Ask references for permission to use them. Be sure to select those who know you well and can speak to your qualifications.

Review your cell phone message, your email address and your social networking profiles again to present the best professional image to potential employers.

Invest time and effort in your job search.
Don’t wait until graduation to start.

Career Assessments	Career Fairs
Etiquette Dinner	Internship and Co-op Information
Interviewing Tips and Techniques	Job Listings
Job Search Strategies	Mock Interviews
Occupational Information Resources	On-Campus Recruiting
Resume and Cover Letter Writing Help	Salary Information

Career Education won’t “place” you in a job. We are here to teach you how to conduct your own search. Use these services to learn the techniques to help you throughout your career.

Career Education Office
Mouton Hall, Ground Floor
314-529-9375
career@maryville.edu
www.maryville.edu/careered