Career Planning

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Be in charge of your future

Career Development is an on-going, life-long process of decision-making regarding the world of work. It is a process that encourages you to accept individual responsibility for your life. Often the Career Development process is divided into six steps, the first four steps correlating with the four years of college. Although these first four steps may occur at any time and do not necessarily need to take four years, the steps themselves are important.

I. Self Assessment - Know Yourself

What drives you?
What do you consider important?
What qualities are a part of you?
What capabilities have you acquired?

The first step in planning your career is to learn more about yourself and what you want. This step is essential in order for you to find a career that will be truly satisfying. You need to know your values, strengths, and weaknesses in order to make an informed decision. Here are some suggestions to help you:

Explore various courses
Get to know your professors, advisors, and fellow students
Join a club/organization
Get involved in volunteer activities
Visit the NU career center and take advantage of available assessment resources: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, or the online MyMajors.
Set up an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to meet with the Career Counselor.
Check out the Career Library for Career Planning materials.

II. Career investigation - Know Your options

What is your ideal/dream job?
What careers correspond with your self assessment?
What are the requirements for entering that field?
What is the job outlook for that field?

Second, find out more about the work world and how you might fit into careers that interest you. At this point, you should have a good idea of what you want in a career and are ready to start researching your options.

Identify and research careers and companies
Interview people in your chosen career field
Set up job shadows which interest you
Acquire experience through volunteer or employment options
Continue developing leadership skills and making connections through campus and community involvement
Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh) and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (www.occupationalinfo.org)
Continue taking a variety of courses to explore careers or enhance job skills
Attend on-campus Career Skills 101 sessions and on-campus networking activities sponsored by the Career Service Center

III. Career Preparation - Research and narrow options

Have you discussed your ideas with others?
Have you researched the career that you are considering?
Have talked to someone in that field or ‘tried out’ that career?

By now, you have narrowed down a career field or major. It is now time to consider your options and make a decision. One way to narrow your options is to talk to faculty, advisors, or people employed in your field of interest. It is also important to gain experience and ‘try out’ your career of choice. Following are some tips on how to do that:

Meet with a faculty advisor and choose electives that add value to your career goals
Continue developing a resumé/cover letter
Develop a contact network – join student affiliates of professional organizations
Gain experience through part time employment, cooperative education, internships, volunteer opportunities, etc.
Attend Career Fairs and talk to those who are working in your field of choice
Begin developing a resumé/cover letter
Attend professional training workshops on resumé writing, interviewing skills, etc. offered through the Career Services Office

IV. Develop a Plan of Action - Implement a Plan of Action

Have you established your goal and developed a plan to reach it?
Does your goal require additional education/training?
Do you feel confident in your presentation skills?
Do you have an idea of where to start in order to find your dream job?

Now, you are ready to put the plan into action (commit to the process). You may start looking for employment or researching graduate schools or other training programs.

Ask faculty and/or professional contacts to act as references
Polish your resumé, job search letters and interview skills
Attend career and graduate school fairs
Continue developing a network and keep a journal of contacts
Begin developing a professional wardrobe
Take advantage of services offered through the Career Services Office

V. Retention

You will feel comfortable in your career field, as you will now have figured out how things work in your industry. You will want to remain committed to your career by continually updating your skill set and staying current with industry standards.

Provide first-class customer-service skills
Build a professional network

VI. Transition

You will have feelings of discomfort in that you are unsure of what you will be doing next (and/or if you will be happy). In this stage, you will learn to make conscious changes in your career direction.