Four-Year Career Plan

A helpful guide to getting your career on track from the start...

Freshman year: Awareness

Identify interests, skills, work values, and personality preferences — key factors in the career decision-making process — by taking career assessments.
Talk to faculty and review the LSU General Catalog to research majors.
Explore the "What Can I Do With This Major?" workshop series posted on our website.
Become familiar with the Student Career Guide.
Start gathering information on careers you are interested in pursuing.
Explore career choices by using LinkedIn and personal contacts to set up informational interviews.
Make an appointment to let us help you transition your résumé from high school to college.
Attend career fairs and other events. (Log in to Handshake to view upcoming events.)

Join student organizations and professional associations related to your intended career field.
Use our Job Search Tutorials to learn about résumés, cover letters, thank you notes, and interviewing.
Use tips and tools found in the Student Career Guide.
When developing your résumé , include transferable skills from all your work experiences.
Upload your résumé on Handshake.
Update your résumé with each new job you hold and/or student organization you join.
Continue exploring occupations through our website, the internet, newspapers, magazines, and books.
Meet with a career coach to develop a comprehensive search strategy for finding work experience.
Start clarifying and confirming your career choice by gaining career-related work experience.
Pursue internships and co-ops through the On-Campus Interviewing Program.
Attend career fairs and other events.

Sign up for HRE 3331: Strategic Career Planning.
Decide if graduate or professional school is necessary to reach your career goals. If so, start planning at the beginning of your junior year and attend the Graduate & Professional School portion of Career Expo in the fall.
Download the current Student Career Guide.
Conduct research to determine the types of entry-level positions for which you might qualify.
Schedule an appointment to have your résumé(s) and cover letter(s) critiqued.
Update your résumé and upload the revised version to Handshake.
Learn appropriate attire for recruitment events. Purchase a business professional suit and shoes.
Complete at least one internship or co-op to gain experience and build your résumé.
Fine-tune your interview skills by scheduling a mock interview with our team.
Use Handshake to participate in On-Campus Interviews.
Attend career fairs and other events.

Continue to follow the Graduate/Professional School timeline, if applicable.
Develop your personal statement and have it critiqued by the LSU Olinde Career Center.
Identify professionals willing to serve as references and write letters of recommendation.
Use Interfolio to store and distribute your letters of reference and transcripts.
Prepare for interviews using the Student Career Guide.
Schedule a mock interview to prepare for full-time job or graduate/professional school interviews.
Identify full-time job opportunities.
Use Handshake to participate in the On-Campus Interviewing Program.
Tailor your résumé and cover letter to each full-time position for which you apply.
Use your personal network to identify opportunities.
Send thank you notes to employers with whom you interview and to your references.
Attend career fairs and other events.