4-Year Career Compass

Steps Required:

  1. Deciding on the right major.

  2. Choosing the best career.

  3. Landing the job of your dreams.

All this takes exploration, discovery, experience, and presentation. The GovState Office of Career Services is available to serve as your guide through a process that will lead you to success; from defining your career goals to getting the job you want.

GovState’s 4-year Career Compass takes you step-by-step to graduation and employment. Jump on at the beginning and follow the steps each year of your education. You can also enter the process at any time.

The Office of Career Services is ready to help you get to where you want to go.

  • Freshman Year: Exploration

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    •  Set up an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career plans.
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    • Identify interests, skills, work values, and personality preferences – key factors in the career decision-making process – by taking online assessments, such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Strong Interest Inventory, and the Strengths Finder assessment. 
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    • Explore the What Can I Do With This Major? resource posted on the Office of Career Services website.
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    • Pursue summer jobs or volunteer opportunities related to your interests. Develop a good work ethic!
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    • Develop good study practices and keep your grades up. Employers want candidates with high academic achievements.
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    • Attend relevant Career Services workshops such as: 

     - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
     - Strong Interest Inventory
     - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
     - Work Values 

     

    Printable version of the flyer

  • Sophomore Year: Discovery

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    • Set up an appointment with a career counselor to discuss connections between your major and the world of work. Begin to develop your resume.
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    • If you are having difficulty deciding on a major, register for the Career Exploration class offered at GovState.
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    • Assess your interests, skills, and values. Several self-assessment tools are available.
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    • Volunteer, work on-campus, or become involved in student organizations that will contribute to your hands-on experience.
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    • Join professional associations related to your intended career field.
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    • Consider attending internship/career fairs to begin networking with employers and exploring potential internship options.
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    • Conduct informational interviews with those in a career of interest.
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    • Research career resources including: 

     - Career Cruising
     - What Can I Do With This Major?
     - Occupational Outlook Handbook
     - O*NET
     - Career Insider/Vault

    Printable version of the flyer

  • Junior Year: Experience

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    • Set up an appointment with a career counselor for a resume review, mock interview, and to discuss career plans and goals.
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    • Gain professional experience through on-campus employment, part-time jobs, and internships.
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    • Volunteer! Get involved in community service activities, or become involved in student organizations that will contribute to your hands-on experience.
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    • Attend an internship and career fair to network with employers and explore potential internship options.
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    • Continue to build a professional network by joining professional associations.
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    • Find a job shadowing or informational interviewing opportunities that will allow you to further explore your interests.

    • Create a portfolio of your work and accomplishments.
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    • Attend relevant Career Services workshops such as:

     - How to Find an Internship
     - Resume and Cover Letters
     - Job Search Strategies
     - Standing Out in an Interview
     - Etiquette “Dining Tutorial” Luncheon

    • If you are considering graduate school, identify and write to graduate schools for applications, program details, and fellowship/assistantship information.
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    • Plan to register early for graduate school entrance exams. Consider taking admission prep courses or tests to prepare for the exam.
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    Printable version of the flyer

     

  • Senior Year: Presentation

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    • Set up an appointment with a career counselor to develop a job search strategy.
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    • Attend relevant Career Services workshops such as:

    - Resume and Cover Letters
    -  Job Search Strategies
    - Standing Out in an Interview
    - Etiquette Dining Tutorial Luncheon
    - Professional Image and Career Conference

    • Post your resume on Jobs for Jaguars to market your skills and achievements to employers.
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    • Tailor your resume and cover letter to each position for which you apply.
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    • Remember, it is important to send thank you notes to employers with whom you interview and to your references.
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    • Attend career fairs and use your network to identify opportunities.

    • Participate in a mock interview to polish your interviewing skills.
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    • Begin to build a strong online presence by developing a LinkedIn profile.
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    • Identify at least three people (employers and professors) who are willing to serve as references and write letters of recommendation. 
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    • If interested in graduate school, choose which programs you are applying to and send applications in early.
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     Graduation: SUCCESS

     Printable version of the flyer

  • Graduate Studies

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    Click this link to Apply Now!