Career Directions 2016 PDF

C A R E E R SERVIC E S
Bus iness Building • O ffice #128
215.951.1075 • email: careers@lasalle.edu
Your guide to beginning your career journey
Your second two years at La Salle is not only a culmination of your life as a student, it’s also the time you should start
planning for what will hopefully be a long and successful journey to a fulfilling life after La Salle! That’s what Career
Directions II is all about: helping you get a head start on your life as a “La Salle alum”.
The best way to ensure the success of any voyage is careful planning. Ideally, you want to chart your course by having
some idea of where you want to go. The third and fourth stages of Explore U continue the idea of charting your course
so as to have a smooth job search to reduce stress and a sense of confusion upon graduation; juniors and seniors, you
are at either one of those stages.
Explore U
Stage 1: Explore your potential – Freshman Year
Your first step toward defining your academic and career goals will be to accurately assess your skills, interests, and
values as well as explore your choice of majors and potential careers by:
Taking a self-assessment such as Focus 2 or the Self-Directed Search
Speaking with academic advisors about scheduling, available majors, and minors
Consulting with a career counselor to find out how to make the most of your first two years
Stage 2: Explore your possibilities – Sophomore Year
You will continue to explore future career options, confirm your major, and learn about various experiential education
opportunities. You will be encouraged to:
Begin to define short, and long-term, career goals
Talk with upperclassmen, alumni, and faculty about majors or minors
Write a goals statement describing how your education connects to your future career
Build your portfolio and resume
Join on-campus clubs and organizations of personal interest and/or those affiliated with your major
Stage 3: Explore through performance – Junior Year
Learning beyond the classroom is a critical component to further defining your career goals, gaining practical
experience, and enhancing your skills. You can accomplish these goals by:
Participating in internships, co-ops, and summer jobs
Participating in Career Services events, job fairs, on-campus recruiting, and workshops
Considering study-abroad programs or travel/study courses
Getting involved in volunteer experiences
Join professional affiliations in accordance with your major
Stage 4: Explore paths to your future – Senior Year
As you refine what it means to be successful, you will also need to understand the steps necessary to achieve your postundergraduate
goals, be they employment, graduate or professional school, or long-term volunteer work. As a senior,
you will continue to:
Refine your resume and hone your interview skills
Connect with employers and investigate further educational options
Build your network of career and personal contacts
Prepare for your long-term career goals
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