The first year of college is an exciting time: a new school, a new network of friends, and new experiences. While you are beginning this journey, keep in mind that University Career Services has several tools and resources to help you start uncovering your career path.

Our recommended planning steps:

• Schedule an appointment to meet with a career specialist on your campus to start developing and implementing your personalized two-year career development plan, which may include:
  • Assessing your interests, skills, values, learning styles, and abilities through one of many career assessment tools.
  • If you are undecided, we can help you choose a major.
  • Once you have chosen your major, we can help you choose a career.
  • Activate your Handshake account and schedule an appointment.
• Get acquainted with the majors offered at GSU Perimeter College. The academic advisors are available to assist you with your course planning.
• Cultivate relationships with faculty and staff. Meet with departments for majors of interest.
• Become familiar with career services.
  • Build a relationship with your career advisor and attend scheduled meetings.
  • Ask your career specialist to help you map out your individualized career plan.
    • Let us know how much time you are going to devote to your education: Associate and start your career or continue to Bachelor and beyond
  • Receive recommendations for independent learning opportunities to consider to get internship-ready.
• Strive for academic success and seek assistance from on-campus tutoring resources.
• Get involved! Join clubs! Volunteer! Explore your interests, skills, values, and abilities.
• Explore professional affiliations for memberships to broaden your network; learn about scholarships, and internships offered to student members only.
• Begin building your network in potential fields of interest.
• Attend various career-related events to begin your research concerning possible career, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
• Have your resume created, developed, and/or reviewed as you build your skills/experience.
• Attend career fairs to practice your elevator pitch.
• Receive free professional headshots.
• Connect with us on social media (Instagram, Facebook).
• Begin Occupational Research.

With a full year of college completed, you should be more confident in your major and ready to narrow down your career choices. Networking, gaining experience in your field, and developing leadership skills are all key aspects of this academic year. To stay on track with your career development plan, it is important to continue your appointments with your Career Specialist.

• Continue meeting with your Career Specialist to discuss your career development plan.
  • Re-evaluate your career interests, skills, values, and abilities based on your first-year experiences.
• Explore internship opportunities to learn about careers and gain valuable experience.
• Build practical experience through internships, research opportunities, paid positions, and volunteer work.
• Take on an active role within a student club or organization to develop your communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field of interest to gain an understanding of a particular career and to continue to broaden your network of contacts.
• Schedule a mock interview to help prepare you for an internship or job opportunity.
• Request another resume review/update.
• Update your LinkedIn and/or online portfolio.
• Continue to cultivate relationships with faculty and staff and strive for academic success.
• Research the opportunities available in the Office of Global Studies, focusing on studying abroad if applicable to your career journey.
• Attend our internship and job fairs, along with other career-related events on campus and virtually.
• Consider individuals you would ask to write a letter of recommendation for you or be a reference for an internship, job opportunity, or graduate school application.
  • This is where professors/teachers come in to help.
  • Other sources are employers, club advisors, volunteer organizations, etc.