Graduate Student Career Checklist

This checklist is designed to guide graduate students at Texas Southern University through professional development, career exploration, and post-degree planning. Use it to stay organized, develop your skills, and connect with employers while leveraging the resources of the Career Pathways Center.

Fall: Launch & Secure Career Placement

Career Launch & Applications

  • Apply for full-time positions, graduate programs, or service opportunities 3–6 months before desired start dates.
  • Participate in mock interviews, interview prep sessions, and workshops for negotiating and communication skills.
  • Evaluate employment offers, graduate school options, and volunteer/service opportunities based on values and career goals.
  • Tailor all application materials (resume, cover letter, portfolio, LinkedIn) for each opportunity.
  • Track applications, interviews, and responses to stay organized.

Professional Development & Life Skills

  • Attend career-related webinars, professional events, and alumni sessions.
  • Review and address personal and professional branding, including social media and voicemail/email professionalism.
  • Check your credit report and address issues affecting employment or relocation.
  • Explore lifelong learning opportunities, certifications, or workshops relevant to your field.

Reflection & Connection

  • Reflect on your career story and experiences during your program.
  • Stay connected with mentors, advisers, alumni, and professional networks post-graduation.
  • Join the TSU Alumni Association to maintain connections and mentor others.
  • Complete any required graduation surveys or career services documentation.

Spring: Professional Development & Goal Setting

Time Management & Goal Setting

  • Schedule a career coaching appointment to map out short- and long-term career goals.
  • Update your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio with leadership roles, projects, and relevant experiences.
  • Develop a job search timeline aligned with graduation and program milestones.

Professional Development

  • Assess skills needed for potential career paths and identify areas for growth.
  • Take on leadership roles relevant to your career interests.
  • Complete capstone projects, theses, or other major graduate-level assignments.
  • Attend seminars, professional workshops, and conferences in your field of study.
  • Develop and maintain mentoring relationships with faculty, advisers, or professionals.

Career Exploration & Networking

  • Conduct informational interviews and online research to explore career paths.
  • Build a list of target positions and employers based on research and networking.
  • Attend networking events, alumni gatherings, and career fairs.
  • Develop an elevator pitch for networking and interviews.
  • Familiarize yourself with hiring cycles, employer expectations, and industry trends.

Summer: Experience & Network Expansion

Gaining Experience

  • Participate in internships, volunteer work, part-time employment, or applied projects relevant to your field.
  • Engage in graduate-level work outside the classroom, such as research or applied projects.
  • Explore post-graduation opportunities, including full-time employment, graduate assistantships, or service programs.
  • Secure career-related employment or volunteer opportunities to strengthen your resume.

Networking & Professional Visibility

  • Attend professional association events, alumni networking, and career workshops.
  • Connect with alumni and professionals via LinkedIn and mentorship programs.
  • Keep track of networking contacts using a networking log or spreadsheet.
  • Share professional content on LinkedIn to increase visibility with potential employers.

Job Search Preparation

  • Draft and tailor resumes and cover letters; have them critiqued by career advisers or mentors.
  • Identify 3–5 references for job or graduate school applications.
  • Register and use Handshake, Hire Red Raiders, and other online job portals.
  • Research potential employers, including company culture, salaries, and qualifications.

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Year

  • Regularly update your resume, LinkedIn, and professional portfolio.
  • Attend career fairs, webinars, and professional events to expand your network.
  • Volunteer and participate in student or professional organizations.
  • Monitor social media for professional appropriateness.
  • Participate in mock interviews and job search prep sessions.
  • Continue researching employers and industry trends.
  • Maintain professional contacts and keep networking.

Looking Ahead

As you continue your journey through graduate school and beyond, remember that career planning is an evolving process. Stay in touch with alumni, mentors, and your professional network. Nurture those relationships, reconnect often, and remember that networking is a two-way process—as someone helps you, you help them.

Strive to stay curious, seek advice, ask questions, offer help, reflect, and be a lifelong learner. At the Texas Southern University Career Pathways Center, we are committed to helping TSU Tigers build strong networks, refine skills, and launch careers with confidence and purpose.