A Four-Year Career Decision Making Plan*

University Career Services

Northwestern University Northwestern University Northwestern University Northwestern University Northwestern University

Northwestern University

Facebook: facebook.com/northwesternUCS

Twitter: twitter.com/northwesternUCS

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036

Blog: northwesternuniversitycareerservices.wordpress.com

University Career Services

Main Location: 620 Lincoln Street

Career Lab: Main Library, Core Reserves, 2nd Flr

Phone: 847-491-3700

www.northwestern.edu/careers

Freshman Year

Register for CareerCat to receive weekly career information from UCS

Meet with a career counselor to discuss your individualized career plan

Consider taking assessments to clarify your interests, values and skills

Commit to reading at least 5 careers/industries using UCS career exploration resources

Explore different majors, minors, and certificates; meet with a career counselor to discuss majors as

they relate to careers

Participate in Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) in Spring to job shadow Alumni in

careers of interest

Join 2-4 student organizations to explore your interests and expand your skills

Conduct at least 1 informational interview per quarter to expand your information about careers

Begin to develop your self-marketing tools such as your resume and elevator speech

Attend the In Pursuit Internship Conference in Fall to learn more about the internship search

Create a LinkedIn Profile to begin to create a professional network

Gain experience through internships, summer jobs, and volunteer work

Sophomore Year

Narrow down your list of academic major choices; check with University Academic Advising if you

are considering an inter-school transfer

Continue to read about different careers and industries using the career exploration resources

Continue to do informational interviews to expand your information about careers

Expand your leadership within your student organizations by chairing a committee, initiating a

project or running for office

Participate in Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) in Spring to job shadow Alumni in

careers of interest

If considering graduate school, choose at least two professors to get to know well to increase your

chances of getting good recommendations

Obtain a career-related internship to test out a career field and gain work experience

Continue to conduct informational interviews with professionals in careers of interest

Attend UCS career fairs to learn about different types of employers and industries

*Don’t be alarmed if you are reading this as a junior or senior. You can still engage in most of these activities, your timeline will just

move at a quicker pace!

.

Contact the Fellowships Office to get information about career-related fellowships, such as the COROS

Public Interest Fellowship or the Fulbright

Reflect upon your internship experiences to determine if they might lead to a satisfying career

Discuss whether graduate school is a good option for your career goals with a UCS career counselor

Learn about recruiting timelines for different industries and create a job search plan that suits your needs

Junior Year

Continue to read about different careers and industries using the career exploration resources

Select 2-3 industries of interest for full time work upon graduation

Obtain a career-related internship to clarify career interests and gain skills

Attend at least two networking events to attend to increase your professional network

(Northwestern Alumni Association has many alumni events throughout the year).

Contact the Fellowships Office to get information about career-related fellowships, such as the

COROS Public Interest Fellowship or the Fulbright

Reflect upon your internship experiences to determine if they might lead to a satisfying career

Discuss whether graduate school is a good option for your career goals with a UCS career counselor

Learn about recruiting timelines for different industries and create a job search plan that suits your

needs

Senior Year

If you do not yet have a career focus, meet with a career counselor to discuss your options

Attend the UCS job fairs to explore employment opportunities

Network with individuals in your field to explore job opportunities, examine work settings, and

prepare for interviewing

Meet with an Employment Specialist to learn the best job search techniques for industries of interest

Attend UCS Backpack to Briefcase events to how to navigate the job search process

If necessary, begin preparation for graduate/professional school by taking graduate school

admissions test (e.g. GRE, LSAT), identifying and applying to specific programs

Decide if you want to take time off between undergraduate and grad/professional school