Career Planning Checklists
We have broken out "To Do" lists for students to follow in preparation for finding a job after graduation. These are guidelines only, and by no means set in concrete! Use them as you need them for wherever you are in your career journey. Look through our suggestions and set your own checklist that works for you and your timeline!
- Create your Handshake Profile! Fill this out as thoroughly as you can in order to see jobs you are most interested in.
- Visit the Career Services Center website to see what services are available.
- Meet with a career counselor during our drop-in hours to begin to explore career options.
- Discuss career interests with a faculty advisor to plan relevant course work.
- Take the FOCUS Career Assessment.
- Explore the "What can you do with this major?" resource.
- Strengthen personal development by volunteering for community service.
- See Handshake for part-time jobs off-campus.
- Get involved with student groups related to your major and/or career interests.
- Login to Handshake and sign up to receive announcements about career events.
- Keep informed about CSC programs and career ideas through our events calendar.
- Find a part-time job, off campus or on campus to build your work experience.
- If you are undecided about your major, meet with a career counselor. Book an appointment directly through Handshake.
- Create a LinkedIn Profile, the online professional networking community, and join USF LinkedIn group
- Work with a career counselor to clarify values, and identify preliminary career interest.
- Read about and research different careers of interest to you.
- Research study abroad options.
- Ask a counselor to help you prepare or update a resume.
- Go on an informational interview or job shadow someone in careers of interest.
- Learn how to network to get a job.
- Apply for an internship through Handshake to begin the fall semester of your junior year.
- Take a leadership role in a student club or organization to build new skills and gain valuable experience.
- Explore current occupational information in our online resources.
- Identify internships in Handshake.
- Update your LinkedIn Profile and continue to add connections.
- Meet with a counselor to discuss taking the Focus career assessment to help you explore your career options.
- Research possible Graduate Schools, and understand their admission requirements, timelines, and procedures.
- Attend a Career Fair and and chat with employers to find out what they are looking for in applicants.
- Talk to a career counselor about career options or graduate school.
- Create a LinkedIn Profile
- Join NetworkUSF, and utilize the USF LinkedIn Alumni network
- Prepare or update your resume and get counselor feedback.
- Get a summer job or internship related to your major or career interests.
- Book an appointment through Handshake to meet with a career counselor and plan a strategy to maximize your senior year.
- Use Handshake to identify job opportunities.
- Join NetworkUSF, and utilize the USF LinkedIn Alumni network.
- Decide on a plan for what you hope to do after graduation, and come up with one or two backup plans just in case.
- If you are applying to graduate school, create a study plan for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, CBEST, PRAXIS, or MCAT.
- Attend Career Services events, including Career Fairs and Workshops.
- Apply to participate in a trek, where you will visit a Bay Area employer and learn about a specific industry.
- Learn market trends and salary expectations for your industry and career of interest.
- Gather relevant job application materials. (Resume, Cover Letter, References, Examples of Work).
- Identify top skills/interests from past work experience to prepare for interviews.
- Book an appointment for a mock interview session with a USF career counselor to practice your skills.