Junior Career Checklist

Your junior year is all about focusing your career direction, gaining professional experience, and preparing for life after graduation. Use this checklist to stay on track each semester and take advantage of the Career Pathways Center resources.

Fall: Prepare for Career Launch

Professional Branding & Career Readiness

  • Continue updating resume, cover letters, LinkedIn, portfolio, and social media profiles.
  • Narrow your career path based on experiences, research, and informational interviews.
  • Explore graduate or professional school options with faculty and career advisors.

Increasing Experience & Industry Awareness

  • Evaluate your major—reassess marketability and explore areas of specialization.
  • Attend seminars, conferences, and workshops relevant to your career interests.
  • Secure career-related employment, internships, or volunteer opportunities.
  • Become familiar with work settings, job descriptions, and professional expectations.
  • Conduct additional informational interviews to gain insight into your field.

Leadership & Engagement

  • Take on student organization leadership roles to develop transferable skills. ☐ Attend Career Pathways Center events and workshops to finalize career plans.

Spring: Set Goals & Build Your Brand

Time Management & Goal Setting

  • Schedule a career coaching appointment to develop or update your career action plan.
  • Update your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio to include relevant experiences, leadership roles, and projects.
  • Participate in the Career Ready Program (includes Career Boot Camp workshops, mock interviews,
  • job fairs, and internships).
  • Keep a networking log to track connections with professionals and employers.

Relate Academics to Career

  • Relate your academic coursework to future work plans.
  • Attend seminars and conferences related to your major.
  • Develop an academic mentoring relationship with faculty or advisors.
  • Complete a degree check to ensure you’re on track for graduation.

Career Exploration & Networking

  • Attend career fairs, information sessions, and professional events on and off campus.
  • Research potential employers via company websites and social media.
  • Join professional associations related to your field.
  • Seek leadership roles in student organizations to strengthen your skills.
  • Visit the Career Pathways Center Professional Clothing Closet for professional attire.

Summer: Gain Experience & Explore Options

Career Experience & Exploration

  • Apply for internships, micro-internships, or summer employment in your field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals to explore career paths.
  • Volunteer or secure career-related employment to gain hands-on experience.
  • Use Hire A Tiger and Handshake to find opportunities.
  • Attend grad school seminars if you are considering further education.
  • Discuss career options and decisions with a mentor.
  • Meet with a counselor at University Health Services if personal factors affect career exploration.

Skill Development & Networking

  • Join professional associations or local chapters of your field.
  • Attend off-campus networking events and business etiquette workshops.
  • Keep refining your industry focus based on research and interviews.