Yearly Career Planner

Preparing for your career after college begins on your first day as a student! Follow along on the career journey as outlined to ensure you are as prepared as can be for like after college.

Freshman Year

  • Explore Interests: Take time to explore different career paths by attending workshops, career fairs, and informational interviews. Complete your Focus2Career module or access Forage’s job simulations through the Navigate 360 app.
  • Build Skills: Focus on developing soft skills like strong communication and leadership. Identify and build technical skills related to your career.  Attend career workshops, join student organizations or volunteer. Learn more on CougarLink.
  • Create a Resume: Build a basic resume with any experiences you have, which might include volunteer work, extracurriculars, or part-time jobs. Get started with VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant, to make sure it’s optimized.
  • Foster Relationships: Connect with professors, advisors, and peers who can offer guidance and support throughout your time at Kean.
  • Engage on LinkedIn & Handshake: Set up a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with peers, professors, and professionals in your fields of interest. Activate your Handshake account.
  • Seek Advisement: Start developing your long-term career plan by meeting with your Career Advisor.

Sophomore Year

  • Identify Internships: Begin looking for internship opportunities on Handshake or other job boards. Research companies and industries you’re interested in. Understand the recruitment cycle for your specific major.
  • Attend Career and Networking Events: Participate in career fairs, networking events, panels and employer engagement sessions to start making industry contacts. Check out our latest events on CougarLink now.
  • Refine Your Resume: Update your resume with any new experiences, and tailor it to specific industries or roles. Make sure you upload your new resume to VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant, to make sure it’s as optimized as it can be.
  • Develop Technical Skills: Take advantage of online courses like LinkedIn Learning to develop or enhance technical skills relevant to your field or enhance your career readiness. Access Forage’s job simulations through the Navigate 360 app. 

Junior Year

  • Secure Internships: Apply for internships related to your field on Handshake to gain valuable, hands-on experience and make connections in the industry starting in September for the following Summer!  Applying early and often greatly increases your chances of landing your top internship choice.
  • Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Customize your resume for specific job or internship applications. Make sure you check your resume in VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant, to make sure it’s as optimized as it can be.
  • Network Strategically: Build stronger relationships with professors, alumni in your field and hiring managers in your industry. Actively participate in LinkedIn networking.
  • Prepare for Interviews: Use VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant, to practice mock interviews and improve your interviewing skills so you’re ready to discuss your experiences and skills.
  • Research Graduate Programs: If considering graduate school, start researching programs and entrance requirements.

Senior Year

  • Apply for Full-Time Jobs: Start applying for jobs at the start of Senior year if you plan to work after graduation. Use Handshake, job boards, your network and Kean Career Services for support,
  • Polish Your Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile and any other professional social media accounts are up-to-date and reflect your qualifications.
  • Attend Career Fairs: Actively participate in job fairs and recruitment events. Be prepared with a professional elevator pitch and resume.
  • Practice Interviewing: Continue refining your interviewing skills. Practice common questions and prepare for behavioral interviews. Need a great tool for this? Use VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant.
  • Prepare for Transition: Develop a plan for post-graduation, whether it’s entering the workforce, pursuing grad school, or other paths.

Graduate Students

  • Apply for Full-Time Jobs: Start applying for jobs at the start of your final year in graduate school. Use Handshake, job boards, your network and Kean Career Services for support,
  • Polish Your Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile and any other professional social media accounts are up-to-date and reflect your qualifications, including any publications or research experience.
  • Attend Career Fairs: Actively participate in job fairs and recruitment events. Be prepared with a professional pitch and resume.
  • Practice Interviewing: Continue refining your interviewing skills. Practice common questions and prepare for behavioral interviews. Need a great tool for this? Use VMock, the most advanced AI-driven career assistant.
  • Prepare for Transition: Develop a plan for post-graduation, including understanding industries and locations for jobs.