View each year individually -
Freshman Year
- Identify interests, work values, skills and abilities through self-assessment and career assessments by utilizing SIGI Plus Online in the Career Center and by visiting the Advising & Career Exploration Services (ACES) in 133 Warner Hall and Counseling Services in 220 Royce Hall.
- Identify majors that relate to your abilities and interests, and then meet with faculty in that department.
- Find relevant work/volunteer experiences in the areas that interest you.
- Research student organizations available on campus and within the community.
- Start and maintain a personal academic file with current grades, reports, projects, honors and activities.
- Create a resume; schedule an appointment with a Career Consultant in the Career Center for a resume critique or an advising session, follow by completing student profile and uploading your resume to Pioneer Career Network.
- Search for a summer job or internship related to your career interest. Review academic department bulletin boards; talk to faculty, family, and friends. Research employers at the Career Center Resource Center and check Pioneer Career Network daily.
- Attend Career Center workshops and events, such as: Career Fairs, Resumes and Cover Letter Writing.
- Consider joining a student organization related to your chosen field of study.
- Maintain a good GPA.
Sophomore Year
- Target course electives that will enhance your marketability to employers.
- Review, revise, reaffirm your appraisal of your interests, skills and values.
- Consider a semester to study abroad; visit the Study Abroad Program in 136 Royce Hall.
- Visit the Career Center and your major department to gather information on internships, co-ops, volunteer experiences and/or independent research related to your area of interest or chosen career field.
- Arrange job shadowing experiences and informational interviews in your field of interest through the Career Center or your academic advisor or department. Check out the "UWP-Connections Program;" alumni interested with your career exploration
- Contact professional associations that provide current information about your career field or area of interest.
- Update career portfolio each semester.
- Begin networking for references and letters of recommendation.
- Start identifying and applying for summer employment/internship/co-op in your field of interest.
- Attend Career Fairs and Employer Information Sessions. Check Events Tab in Pioneer Career Network.
- Attend Career Center workshops, Professional Etiquette - Dinner with Ms. Manners, and Employer panels on resumes, cover letters, job searches, and interviewing.
- Update your profile information and resume in Pioneer Career Network. Have your cover letter completed.
- Join professional student organizations to develop leadership skills and networking experience.
Junior Year
- Continue to add new skills and experiences to your resume and career portfolio.
- Pursue leadership positions in Career Fairs and Employer Information Sessions
- Begin developing your networking system.
- Identify at least five position titles in career fields that interest you, and research 7-10 employers that ofkfer those positions.
- Participate in a mock interview at the Career Center.
- Secure an internship or a co-op, practicum, independent study, or community work.
- Understand and learn about the job search process by utilizing the Career Center's Resource Area.
- If contemplating graduate school request application materials and information from several potential graduate schools.
- Inquire about tests required to enter graduate school.
- Select three work or academic references that can highlight your accomplishments.
- Build networking, interviewing and job search skills. Continue to job shadow and conduct information interviews.
- Actively develop career goals and plan next steps towards achieving your goals.
- Read professional publications, attend a professional conference, study abroad, and/or conduct faculty student research.
Senior Year
- Participate in Professional Etiquette - "Dinner with Ms. Manners", mealtime interview etiquette program and the Career Fairs offered by the Career Center.
- Finalize your resume and have it critiqued by Career Center staff.
- Confirm and obtain 3-5 letters of reference / recommendation.
- Complete your career portfolio and/or credential file (Education majors).
- Develop and refine interviewing skills by utilizing mock interviews at the Career Center.
- Use Pioneer Career Network to post your resume, job search and sign up for on campus interviews.
- Conduct an on-campus job search, simultaneous to your off campus search.
- Apply to employers that you have carefully researched.
- Check out the "UWP-Connections Program;" alumni interested in assisting with your career exploration.
- Continue to prepare for graduate school if you plan to attend. Complete applications, resumes, and letters of applications and personal statements.
- Review job offers.
- Familiarize yourself with the UW-Platteville Alumni Association, and learn how you can become an active alumnus.