How Do I Get Started: A Four-Year Guide to Wesleyan's Career Resource Center

Whether you are a first-year student, sophomore, junior, or senior -- focused or unfocused -- workshops and programs sponsored by the Career Resource Center are a great way to help you make better informed decisions regarding internships, jobs and graduate or professional school. Use the timeline below for ideas on maximizing your four years at Wesleyan.

First and Second Years | Junior Year | Senior Year

First and Second Years
Learn about majors -- Learn about yourself -- Learn about career options

• Learn about available majors by taking a variety of classes, as well as course requirements, and educational opportunities related to majors.
• Gain experience related to careers to careers of interest to you through internships, work experience, and volunteer opportunities.
• Identify your interests, skills and values in relation to your career by taking the Strong Assessment available in the CRC or by exploring the Career Assessment and Decision Making section of the CRC Web site.
• Attend as many Career Networking Sessions as interest you.
• Participate in student organizations to explore your interests, meet people and develop new skills.
• Attend a Resume Workshop.
• Prepare a draft of your resume.

Junior Year
Gain experience through paid work, internships or volunteering -- Gain a clearer picture of what is involved in different careers

• Gain experience related to careers of interest to you through internships, work experience and volunteer opportunities.
• Gain valuable skills and experience through involvement in student organizations.
• Get additional experience at a college elsewhere in the United States or abroad through the International Studies Office, Dean's Office, or appropriate academic department.
• Rework and update your resume.
• Begin preparation for graduate or professional school by collecting letters of recommendation and preparing for the appropriate standardized test(s).
• Attend the pre-med info session if you're planning on attending medical school.
• Compile information about potential graduate programs and request graduate school applications.

Senior Year
Begin the job search early -- Start applications procedures for graduate or professional schools

• Attend workshops on job hunting and interviewing.
• Research companies and careers of interest.
• Continue gaining skills and experience through internships or work experience.
• Begin compiling a list of networking contacts.
• Schedule Mock Interviews during the fall and spring semesters.
• Take tests for graduate school admissions.
• Prepare applications for graduate schools.
• Continue to do informational interviews and network.
• Fine-tune your resume and cover letters.