Here is a guideline of activities for each of your collegiate years to help with your ultimate career search. Please know this timeline is a suggestion only and that it represents the ideal process. Remember that career counselors and/or academic advisors are always available to assist you each step of the way.
FIRST YEAR
Your first priority is to adjust to campus life. Learn how to balance academic requirements with campus activities and a social life.
Explore your academic major options. With the assistance of an academic adviser, choose GECs that will help you to explore different majors.
Become acquainted with your career services offices on campus (http://www.careers.osu.edu/).
Look for part-time and summer jobs. Start looking at all places that have internship information. Check in with your college career services office to find out if you are eligible to use their services (some require you to have a certain number of credit hours). You can find out where your college career services is at the OSU Career Navigator (www.careers.osu.edu) Also, there are links to places at the Career Connection website (www.careerconnection.osu.edu).
Attend OSU Spring Career Day during spring quarter (http://www.ascadvising.osu.edu/springevent/) and the OMA Job Fair during winter quarter (http://www.oma.osu.edu/spprogs/jobfair/index.htm).
Continue developing the qualities that brought you to OSU such as leadership, analytical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. Campus activities, department clubs, and professional societies are a great ways to develop these skills. These are some of the same skills employers are looking for.
Talk to alumni and others who either majored in what you plan to major in or who are doing what you hope to be doing. Ask your academic adviser or career counselor about The Senior Bank and/or Partners in Education programs.
SECOND YEAR
Try to choose your major and actively pursue co-op or internship opportunities. If you are uncertain about your major, plan to enroll in Edu Paes 270.02 to explore different majors and careers or work with the Exploration Program.
Review the Career Exploration Model and begin to define your interests, skills, and values. Make a list of career or graduate school possibilities and learn more about the most interesting options.
Visit your Career Services Office and ask about registering with them through their web registration and resume database service.
Attend career information events throughout the year, including a government career fair. For more information visit http://www.careers.osu.edu/.
Update your resume. If necessary, attend a resume-writing workshop. Have it critiqued by a career professional.
Learn how to interview successfully and how to write a really good cover letter.
Strengthen transferable skills by obtaining a part-time job, summer job, or volunteer experience. See a career advisor to find job listings and attend the OSU Career Day (April) and the Annual Career and Job Fair (January).
If you are considering either medical school, law school or other graduate school options, attend an "Applying to Graduate or Professional School" workshop.
Start collecting letters of recommendation from professors and advisors with whom you have developed an ongoing relationship.
THIRD YEAR
Make an appointment to see a career counselor to ensure you are on target to achieve your career and educational goals.
Thoroughly investigate your favorite career options. Use informational interviewing to learn more about those options. Contact OSU alumni for conducting educational and career informational interviews.
Continue to obtain experience that will position you well for graduate school or employment after graduation, such as volunteer work, part-time jobs, summer internships, and leadership positions in campus activities.
Attend Employer Information Sessions in your field of interest. Begin to do in-depth research into companies you will target for full-time employment next year. Keep an eye on their financial status to gauge stability
Update your resume and brush up on your interviewing skills.
Join a professional association.
If you plan to attend graduate or professional school after graduation:
Continue identifying graduate school programs that are compatible with your educational and career goals.
Begin obtaining letters of recommendation from faculty for your graduate school applications.
Attend Graduate & Professional School Expo during autumn quarter (http://www.ccs.ohio-state.edu/gradexpo/).
Become familiar with admissions procedures. Find out if you will need to take a standardized test for admission and plan to take it at an optimal time.
FOURTH YEAR
If you need to obtain experience in your chosen field, search for internships or part-time jobs through your college career services. As you get closer to graduation, search the full-time job listings.
Regardless of your graduation quarter, be ready to conduct your full-time job search during fall quarter. Companies conduct approximately 75% of all full-time jobs recruiting in fall quarter alone.
Participate in on-campus recruiting.
Network with potential employers as much as possible during your final year at OSU.
Go to Career Fairs held throughout the year.
Participate in a mock interview.
Go to Employer Information Sessions.
Polish your resume, job search letters, and interview skills. Employers expect more of you now.
Meet with a career counselor to determine which strategies will be optimal for you and to learn more about career resources that you can use during your search.
Have your resume critiqued by a career professional.
Obtain a copy of a job search guide and review it thoroughly.
Interview for positions before you graduate (4-6 months prior to graduation).
If graduate or professional school is your next step after graduation, meet with a career or academic advisor to plan your application process this year.
If you haven’t already done so, find out if standardized tests are required to apply to your target programs and plan to take them as soon as possible.
Have your application and statement of purpose reviewed by a career/academic advisor or faculty member.
Attend the Graduate & Professional School Expo during autumn quarter.
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You can find us on the second floor of the Younkin Success Center (1640 Neil Avenue). Career counselors/consultants are available by appointment or during walk-in hours. To schedule an appointment, call (614) 688-3898. Bilingual services offered. Our appointment hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-in hours are Monday & Wednesday from 2 – 4 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Friday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
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