Plan Your Career Now

PREPARING FOR THE CAREER SEARCH

Your search for a career cannot begin too early. In fact, you should be thinking about your career even as you register for your first college level class and each subsequent semester that you register. Your Academic Advisor is a great resource to discuss your future goals and plans as they pertain to your degree plan. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE GOAL throughout your education years and know that each step you take brings you closer to your career.

Merriam-Webster defines NETWORKING the following way:

"Networking: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups,or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business"

One of the key components to success in your career search is networking. Each relationship you build from today forward can assist in your career path. Never underestimate the potential in an internship, volunteer position, friendship or relationship.

LET THE SEARCH BEGIN

Pray for direction and discernment in how God intends to use you and your education in a career
Develop a notebook where you will include career ideas, newspaper and magazine articles about possible careers and demographic areas, names and contact information of mentors and relationships, questions for your Academic Advisor concerning your career possibilities.
Complete the Career Exploration Survey to help decide a career that will utilize your degree
Arrange meetings with people that are in your possible field of career choice
Always inquire with people about what type of career they are in, why they chose that career and the future they see that career having
Plan to attend the ETBU Career Fair offered each spring on campus to visit with possible employers, set possible interviews and make contacts
Prior to your graduation, plan your summer jobs or part-time jobs in your career field if possible. This will give you experience, knowledge and help you develop a resume.
Join organizations or volunteer in areas that can help you explore your career interests (i.e., if interested in a career in Teaching, volunteer at area schools, become involved in local PTA organizations, tutor K-12 students)

Your Academic Advisor, Dean of Schools, and the Office of Academic Success & Graduate Services are available to assist you with any questions you may have and offer any resources that they have available.

Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, i press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of god in christ jesus." Philippians 4:12-13 (NRSV)